The 2021 Ram 700 is an urban truck for the American market. However, this doesn’t include the US and Canada. So, the new pickup is a replacement for the Fiat Strada, discontinued in 2019. It made some base of fans, and the Ram 700 should boost the sales. It won’t be easy, although pickup trucks are more and more popular in Latin America.
Although the first impression is that the 2021 Ram 700 is not coming to the US, the situation has changed. Ford announced a new compact truck for North America. Maverick will take the position under Ranger. As the new main rival to the leading truck maker in the world, Ram could respond with a new unit. We already wrote about Fiat Strada/Fullback but as the mid-size model. Now, with the Jeep Gladiator occupying this class and the possible comeback of the Dodge Dakota, the Ram 700 seems like a perfect fit for the compact segment.
Powertrain
Under the hood of the 2021 Ram 700 is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It is good for 85 horsepower. A 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 mill is optional and adds 14 ponies. A five-speed manual gearbox sends power to the front axle. It is obvious that these engines are not going to meet the demands of the US market. So, the FCA could go with a configuration already available in this area that includes a 1.3-liter turbo engine. In this case, the outputs will be nearly doubled. With 175 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, the Ram 700 could be an interesting urban truck. Also, a five-speed manual is definitely not featuring the US edition.
Expectations
Towing capacity is the major concern and obstacle for the appearance in the largest truck market in the world. The small pickup is going to be a vehicle for urban needs. A single cabin leaves enough room for the bed, while Double Cab is shredding already deficient space. Small blocks are not going to return impressive numbers. But, on the other hand, the fuel economy is a priority, as well as the practicality of the loading and unloading. These are advantages that made mid-size trucks survive the rush of SUVs flooding the market with their versatility. Now, it is time for even smaller pickups to strike back.
2021 Ram 700 Price, Release Date, Competition
The 2021 Ram 700 will be a small truck and experts believe the price will be jaw-dropping. Not expensive, but affordable. Engine upgrades will make it higher than in Latin America, where the base models could be purchased for $12,000. The US version, with all its additions, will be between $15,000-$20,000. We will know more soon when FCA decides if the Ram 700 is coming to this part of Americas.
The only rival is Ford Maverick. The Blue Oval company is yet to release its small pickup. We expect responses from other truckmakers, especially General Motors. However, it seems like FCA and Ford are a step ahead of the competition. Last year, Ram 1500 overtook the #2 spot in sales of the most popular automotive segment in the United States – full-size pickup trucks.
Source: FCA