RAM launches micro ute

The car-based RAM 700 dual-cab ute has been launched overseas, offering a 750kg payload, 400kg towing capacity and super-low ownership costs.

While the bigger RAM 1500 has been hugely popular in Australia, Aussie buyers haven’t shown much interest in smaller car-based utes, despite the likes of the Subaru Brumby and Proton Jumbuck gaining cult status in the past.

Pitched as an affordable workhorse that doubles as a family chariot, the RAM 700 ute will be primarily sold in Mexican and South American markets and shares its underpinnings and many of its body panels with the Brazilian-market Fiat Strada.

Of more interest to Australian buyers will be the mid-size RAM 1000 one-tonne ute, or RAM Dakota as it may be called.

Slotting in above the four-cylinder RAM 700 and below the V8-powered RAM 1500, the Mitsubishi Triton-sized machine was touted as a global model and Australia was at the front of queue to begin importing models once manufacturing begins.

The vehicle was confirmed by parent company FCA back in 2018 as part of its five-year business plan, described as a “metric-ton” pick-up truck.

However, RAM has been very quiet on its Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux competitor of late.

Back to the RAM 700 baby pick-up truck, it is offered in dual- and single-cab body styles with LED headlights and alloy wheels on the outside and a 7.0-inch touch-screen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the inside.

Power comes from either a 62kW 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine or a 73kW 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four, both of which are mated to a five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels.

There is also an optional electronic diff lock to provide a little more rough-and-tumble capability.

While there are no plans for the RAM 700 or its Fiat Strada twin to be sold in Australia, the arrival of the Ford Maverick compact ute (based on the same ‘C2’ monocoque platform) could provide a renewed focus on the small-ute segment.

Hyundai hasn’t ruled-out bringing its Santa Cruz ute to Australia, either.