Stellantis group needs a mid-size truck with the Ram badge. Jeep Gladiator didn’t meet expectations, while the popularity of the half-ton pickup is still growing. Now, it is the biggest competitor to the Ford F-150. So, the introduction of the RAM 1200 could be a move of the season in 2023.
We can already find it in some markets in the Middle East. There are a few theories about the new pickup and its release date in the US. Definitely, some kind of mid-size truck will arrive sooner or later, and the RAM 1200 is one of the options. We can also find speculations about the Dodge Ram Dakota, Ram 700, or Mitsubishi Raider.
Of course, the carmaker can offer plenty of things and shake up the market. Plus, the FCA has a platform ready, as well as a few potential drivetrains. The new truck could also feature a hybrid engine, or go even all-electric.
RAM 1200 Specs
We can compare the truck to the existing model in a limited number of markets. But, it is likely that the new mid-size Ram pickup is going to get something more suitable for the United States. For example, that is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 unit with approximately 300 horsepower. Also, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder might be an option. In both cases, the RAM 1200 would be competitive against Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.
However, the new nameplate is not confirmed yet and it might also be a compact model. This is an expanding segment with only a few members, such as Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz. The new Ram 1200 could be positioned in this class as an unibody truck for urban deliveries. A 1.3 or a 1.5 liter displacements with turbochargers seems to be perfect for such a model.
Hybrid truck is also an option. Truckmakers are not building such models because of a limited towing capacity. Small pickup doesn’t need high numbers in this segment, so the Ram 1200 limited seems to be possible. On the other hand, the carmaker is not among leaders in this class. Wrangler PHEV is already out, but that is the flagship vehicle. Also, other rivals are not available with hybrid systems.
Release Date and Price
One thing is sure – the Ram 1200 will be positioned under Ram 1500. It means a more affordable price, as well as limited outputs. From then, bosses need to decide if the truck is going to rival Jeep Gladiator or to slot into compact class. Either way, there will be a lot of work for designers and engineers.
Those are still just rumors and the release date is still unknown. Stellantis group needs a competitive model for both mid-size and compact tiers, so it is just a matter of time when will the new model be out, no matter if it is called Ram 1200, Dodge Dakota, or something else. The price should be around $25,000 for the base model if it is compact truck, or closer to $30,000 if the Ram 1200 gets closer to the Ram 1500.