New exterior Raging Ram The ute has been revealed in Brazil ahead of its full launch later this year, offering 1500-like styling but more manageable dimensions.
It is understood to be based on the same Fiat Chrysler Small Wide 4×4 architecture that serves in the Jeep Compass and Commander/Meridian and the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
This means that these unibody devices are unlikely to offer the same off-road capabilities and load-carrying capabilities as body-on-frame vehicles such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
The styling screams ‘baby Ram 1500’ however, from the upright front end and horseshoe grille to the muscular body and large taillight detail.
Inside, there is a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Specifications have yet to be released, but reports from Brazil suggest it will be offered in the usual Laramie, Rebel and Longhorn trims plus a Night Edition, with engines initially comprising a 127kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four.
Both will reportedly be mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
This is not the first little child to come from Ram’s house. The brand currently sells the Ram 700 — a rebadged and re-nosed Fiat Strada — in several Latin American countries, such as Mexico.
Other countries in the Americas, such as Peru, also feature the larger Ram 1000 — a Fiat Toro with a revised grille — in their lineup.
Neither of these vehicles are sold in the US or Canada, though.
It is unclear whether Stellantis has engineered the Rampage to comply with US safety and emissions standards. If it does go on sale there, it will likely compete with the bargain basement, but best-selling, Ford Maverick and the more luxurious, less popular, Hyundai Santa Cruz.
These two cars share their architecture with popular small crossovers, the Ford Bronco Sport and the Hyundai Tucson.
It is unclear if the Rampage is intended to be sold in any markets outside of Latin America, such as Australia.
The Rampage name was once used on a smaller ute: the two-door Dodge Rampage, sold from 1982 to 1984. It was derived from the Omni O24 coupe, which in turn was based on the Volkswagen Golf-sized Omni hatchback.
The new Rampage isn’t the only new sub-1500 ute Ram plans to launch.
Ram has confirmed it is working on a mid-size electric ute in the US, possibly reviving the Dakota nameplate, which has been shown to dealers there.
The company has confirmed it has been designed with international and right-hand drive markets in mind, meaning it will most likely make its way to Australia.