FCA is back on the mid-size pickup truck market. After Ford brought back the Ranger, the third US truckmaker decided to enter the same category. The first edition is the Jeep Gladiator. This brand is back to the pickup class after 30 years. Whatsoever, we want to see the true truck that can compete with Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger. According to rumors, the FCA is preparing another vehicle – 2021 Ram Dakota.
This is the famous nameplate and the truck that was discontinued in 2011. However, rumors about Dakota’s return started to swirl right away. The closest try so far was cooperation with Mitsubishi. FCA helped the Japanese company in building the L200 pickup, which was offered in some countries as Ram 1200. But now, with the revival of the mid-size truck segment, there are big chances to see the 2021 Ram Dakota.
Changes
The new 2021 Ram Dakota will definitely change the look of its predecessors. On the other hand, the entire approach must be different. The new truck will have to be cheaper than the full-size Ram 1500. A combination of C6 and four-cylinder engines will make this model versatile. Furthermore, the new Dakota has a tough challenge to catch up with the competition. That is not all since most of them are offering specialized off-road models – Colorado has ZR2, Tacoma TRD Pro, Frontier Pro-4X, and Ford Ranger will soon get its Raptor version.
2021 Ram Dakota Specs
Under the hood of the 2021 Ram Dakota will definitely be a V6 engine. It is a 3.6-liter Pentastar unit, which is also part of the Jeep Gladiator’s lineup. It can burst nearly 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. But, for this truck, the output could be downtuned to maximize the towing capacity and fuel economy. Other mid-size trucks with similar engines are capable to haul around 7,000 pounds.
The base unit could be a four-pot. However, this is going to be a cheaper version. No serious truckers will consider this one. It can be based on the Fiat Fullback. This truck from the FCA group will also borrow some styling solutions for the upcoming Dodge Dakota. New engines will make a difference.
Diesel
Jeep Gladiator belongs to the mid-size class. But, its diesel engine is borrowed from the big rig. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel is capable to produce 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the Chevrolet Colorado diesel is a “monster” with 180 hp and 370 lb-ft. So definitely, this unit is positioning the Gladiator somewhere between classes. On the other hand, we have no clue what kind of a diesel drivetrain the 2021 Ram Dakota could get. It could be a 2.4-liter unit Fiat Fullback is using. However, a lot of tuning would be required before this engine could enter the US market.
2021 Ram Dakota Release Date, Price Estimation
The new 2021 Ram Dakota is still just a speculation. But, it seems more possible than ever in the last ten years. We will find out FCA’s plans soon. If they want to compete in this class, chiefs must react fast. Already next season we should see the first concepts and test mules. The price of the Ram Dodge Dakota will be on par with its main rivals. With the V6 engine, the cost will be around $25,000.