While Ram has yet to announce a smaller pickup for the United States (although a rebirth of the Dakota has been long-rumored), the brand is moving forward with a new generation of its 700 compact pickup, which it sells in places such as Mexico. Why 700 and not 750 (exactly half of 1500)? We’re sure Ram has its reasons. Name aside, we wouldn’t mind seeing something like the little Ram 700 in the U.S.
Based on the Fiat Strada (another trucklet you’ve probably never heard of), the 700 is only 176 inches long and 69 inches wide, making it two inches shorter and one inch narrower than a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. Ram will sell the 700 in three trims, too: SLT, Bighorn, and Laramie.
SLT trimmed trucks will come in either a single or double cab body styles, while the Bighorn and Laramie models come exclusively with the largest four-door cab. It’s also pretty well equipped. Laramie and Bighorn models get a 7.0-inch touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Laramie models also get LED headlights. According to Ram, the 700 can haul up to 1,653 pounds and tow up to 882 pounds. Those specs, on paper, aren’t that impressive, but keep in mind just how small this truck is.
As for propulsion, we expect the 700 to offer a few powertrain options including the 98-hp 1.3-liter I-4 from the Brazilian-market Fiat Strada, where it pairs to a five-speed manual gearbox and routes power to the truck’s front wheels. Frankly, we’d want a little more grunt under the hood of a Ram 700, should the brand bring it to the U.S. Maybe the turbocharged 1.3-liter from the Fiat 500X? With 177 horses in its stable, the little four-pot ought to move the 700 with relative ease. Alas, we can only dream.