2026 Ram Dakota previewed with concept, not likely for Australia
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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
2026 Ram Dakota previewed with concept, not likely for Australia
Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from: Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from: Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from: Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and "powerful, long-range LED" tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. "There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment," said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. "Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America." The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger-related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpertin April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute. Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
MG Australia mulling premium extended-range electric SUV for 2026
The IM Motors LS9 SUV could be coming to Australia in 2026, with the Chinese brand's local arm confirming it's eyeing up a large SUV as its third model for our market. Officially named IM Presented by MG Motor – and sold here through parent company MG's showrooms – the brand confirmed it's looking into a large SUV to join its first two models, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, both arriving here in September 2025. "We have already begun looking at opportunities, which may include a large SUV, for a third model in 2026 or beyond, under the IM Presented by MG Motor brand," a statement from the company to CarExpert said. The comment comes as the automaker's new Stellar super range extender hybrid powertrains begin arriving in the Chinese-market version of the IM6 premium SUV next month, where it's badged as the IM LS6. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A range-extender powertrain typically uses an internal combustion engine to charge a battery pack, which feeds electric motors to provide drive to the wheels. Such a powertrain is also being used in the IM LS9 – likely to be badged IM9 if sold here – a large six-seat SUV slightly bigger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and due in Chinese dealerships by the end of this year. The LS9 offers up to 450km of electric-only driving and a total of 1500km (CLTC, equating to 1230km WLTP) from its petrol engine and electric motor combination. It uses a 114kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator to power front and rear electric motors, with a total system output of more than 502kW. The LS9 has all-wheel drive, as well as four-wheel steering and four-wheel torque vectoring – while inside it seats its six occupants in a 2-2-2 layout. More details are expected ahead of the LS9's arrival in Chinese showrooms, with IM Motors' Australian arm stopping short of confirming the model for local showrooms just yet. In the meantime, the IM5 and IM6 will take on the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y, respectively, as the brand looks to establish itself in Australia. IM Motors vehicles form part of MG Australia's strategy of having models at multiple price points, with MG's overall sales target being 60,000 vehicles in Australia this year – although how many of these will be IMs hasn't been specified. Having recently launched the QS SUV – a large SUV to challenge the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento – MG will launch the U9 dual-cab ute, a twin of the already on sale LDV Terron 9, in Australia before the end of the year. MG was the twelfth-most popular brand in July 2025, having been knocked out of the top ten by rivals including GWM and BYD, who were seventh and eighth respectively. Year-to-date (end of July) sales have fallen 14 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2024. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in Australia Content originally sourced from: The IM Motors LS9 SUV could be coming to Australia in 2026, with the Chinese brand's local arm confirming it's eyeing up a large SUV as its third model for our market. Officially named IM Presented by MG Motor – and sold here through parent company MG's showrooms – the brand confirmed it's looking into a large SUV to join its first two models, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, both arriving here in September 2025. "We have already begun looking at opportunities, which may include a large SUV, for a third model in 2026 or beyond, under the IM Presented by MG Motor brand," a statement from the company to CarExpert said. The comment comes as the automaker's new Stellar super range extender hybrid powertrains begin arriving in the Chinese-market version of the IM6 premium SUV next month, where it's badged as the IM LS6. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A range-extender powertrain typically uses an internal combustion engine to charge a battery pack, which feeds electric motors to provide drive to the wheels. Such a powertrain is also being used in the IM LS9 – likely to be badged IM9 if sold here – a large six-seat SUV slightly bigger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and due in Chinese dealerships by the end of this year. The LS9 offers up to 450km of electric-only driving and a total of 1500km (CLTC, equating to 1230km WLTP) from its petrol engine and electric motor combination. It uses a 114kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator to power front and rear electric motors, with a total system output of more than 502kW. The LS9 has all-wheel drive, as well as four-wheel steering and four-wheel torque vectoring – while inside it seats its six occupants in a 2-2-2 layout. More details are expected ahead of the LS9's arrival in Chinese showrooms, with IM Motors' Australian arm stopping short of confirming the model for local showrooms just yet. In the meantime, the IM5 and IM6 will take on the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y, respectively, as the brand looks to establish itself in Australia. IM Motors vehicles form part of MG Australia's strategy of having models at multiple price points, with MG's overall sales target being 60,000 vehicles in Australia this year – although how many of these will be IMs hasn't been specified. Having recently launched the QS SUV – a large SUV to challenge the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento – MG will launch the U9 dual-cab ute, a twin of the already on sale LDV Terron 9, in Australia before the end of the year. MG was the twelfth-most popular brand in July 2025, having been knocked out of the top ten by rivals including GWM and BYD, who were seventh and eighth respectively. Year-to-date (end of July) sales have fallen 14 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2024. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in Australia Content originally sourced from: The IM Motors LS9 SUV could be coming to Australia in 2026, with the Chinese brand's local arm confirming it's eyeing up a large SUV as its third model for our market. Officially named IM Presented by MG Motor – and sold here through parent company MG's showrooms – the brand confirmed it's looking into a large SUV to join its first two models, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, both arriving here in September 2025. "We have already begun looking at opportunities, which may include a large SUV, for a third model in 2026 or beyond, under the IM Presented by MG Motor brand," a statement from the company to CarExpert said. The comment comes as the automaker's new Stellar super range extender hybrid powertrains begin arriving in the Chinese-market version of the IM6 premium SUV next month, where it's badged as the IM LS6. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A range-extender powertrain typically uses an internal combustion engine to charge a battery pack, which feeds electric motors to provide drive to the wheels. Such a powertrain is also being used in the IM LS9 – likely to be badged IM9 if sold here – a large six-seat SUV slightly bigger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and due in Chinese dealerships by the end of this year. The LS9 offers up to 450km of electric-only driving and a total of 1500km (CLTC, equating to 1230km WLTP) from its petrol engine and electric motor combination. It uses a 114kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator to power front and rear electric motors, with a total system output of more than 502kW. The LS9 has all-wheel drive, as well as four-wheel steering and four-wheel torque vectoring – while inside it seats its six occupants in a 2-2-2 layout. More details are expected ahead of the LS9's arrival in Chinese showrooms, with IM Motors' Australian arm stopping short of confirming the model for local showrooms just yet. In the meantime, the IM5 and IM6 will take on the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y, respectively, as the brand looks to establish itself in Australia. IM Motors vehicles form part of MG Australia's strategy of having models at multiple price points, with MG's overall sales target being 60,000 vehicles in Australia this year – although how many of these will be IMs hasn't been specified. Having recently launched the QS SUV – a large SUV to challenge the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento – MG will launch the U9 dual-cab ute, a twin of the already on sale LDV Terron 9, in Australia before the end of the year. MG was the twelfth-most popular brand in July 2025, having been knocked out of the top ten by rivals including GWM and BYD, who were seventh and eighth respectively. Year-to-date (end of July) sales have fallen 14 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2024. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in Australia Content originally sourced from: The IM Motors LS9 SUV could be coming to Australia in 2026, with the Chinese brand's local arm confirming it's eyeing up a large SUV as its third model for our market. Officially named IM Presented by MG Motor – and sold here through parent company MG's showrooms – the brand confirmed it's looking into a large SUV to join its first two models, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, both arriving here in September 2025. "We have already begun looking at opportunities, which may include a large SUV, for a third model in 2026 or beyond, under the IM Presented by MG Motor brand," a statement from the company to CarExpert said. The comment comes as the automaker's new Stellar super range extender hybrid powertrains begin arriving in the Chinese-market version of the IM6 premium SUV next month, where it's badged as the IM LS6. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A range-extender powertrain typically uses an internal combustion engine to charge a battery pack, which feeds electric motors to provide drive to the wheels. Such a powertrain is also being used in the IM LS9 – likely to be badged IM9 if sold here – a large six-seat SUV slightly bigger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and due in Chinese dealerships by the end of this year. The LS9 offers up to 450km of electric-only driving and a total of 1500km (CLTC, equating to 1230km WLTP) from its petrol engine and electric motor combination. It uses a 114kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator to power front and rear electric motors, with a total system output of more than 502kW. The LS9 has all-wheel drive, as well as four-wheel steering and four-wheel torque vectoring – while inside it seats its six occupants in a 2-2-2 layout. More details are expected ahead of the LS9's arrival in Chinese showrooms, with IM Motors' Australian arm stopping short of confirming the model for local showrooms just yet. In the meantime, the IM5 and IM6 will take on the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y, respectively, as the brand looks to establish itself in Australia. IM Motors vehicles form part of MG Australia's strategy of having models at multiple price points, with MG's overall sales target being 60,000 vehicles in Australia this year – although how many of these will be IMs hasn't been specified. Having recently launched the QS SUV – a large SUV to challenge the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento – MG will launch the U9 dual-cab ute, a twin of the already on sale LDV Terron 9, in Australia before the end of the year. MG was the twelfth-most popular brand in July 2025, having been knocked out of the top ten by rivals including GWM and BYD, who were seventh and eighth respectively. Year-to-date (end of July) sales have fallen 14 per cent compared to the first seven months of 2024. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in Australia Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
2026 Ram Dakota previewed with concept, not likely for Australia
Ram has revealed another mid-size dual-cab pickup designed to take on the Toyota HiLux, but don't expect it to come here. The Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled this morning at an event in São Paulo, Brazil and the production version will be built in Córdoba, Argentina from 2026 for Latin American markets. Unusually, however, it wears a name that had been rumoured to be reserved for a new global mid-size Ram pickup that is expected to be sold in Australia. As it stands, the production version of the Dakota Nightfall – which is understood to be based on the Changan F70 – looks set to be reserved for Latin America like the existing Ram 1200, which is also derived from the Chinese F70. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Complicating matters is the similarly sized Ram Rampage dual-cab, which features a car-like unibody construction – like the smaller Ram 1000, but unlike the body-on-frame Dakota Nightfall and 1200. While the Dakota Nightfall concept wears a unique front-end with a version of Ram's grille, complete with a huge wordmark and slim headlights, the relation to the Changan is apparent in the ute's body work. It looks more modern than the Changan, however, with a full-width light bar. Other unique design cues include three orange lights within the upper air intake, à la the Ram 1500 TRX, plus chunky wheel-arch extensions, and 'powerful, long-range LED' tail-lights. The concept also features raised suspension courtesy of Fox, plus 33-inch all-terrain tyres wrapped around 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. A spare tyre is located within the tub. No powertrain details have been announced, but the existing Changan-based Ram 1200 – offered in markets such as Mexico – uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 157kW of power and 306Nm of torque. This is mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, while braked towing capacity is 3000kg. The new Ram Dakota will be the second model to emerge from Stellantis' Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano that entered production this year. The Latin American-market Titano uses a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four producing 147kW of power and either 401Nm or 450Nm of torque, depending on whether it's mated with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It can tow up to 3500kg. 'There's no stronger name to represent Ram's debut in such an important and competitive segment,' said Ram South America vice president Juliano Machado of the Dakota. 'Excellence only comes with experience, and only Dakota carries all the legacy and expertise of the only exclusive pickup truck brand in South America.' The Dakota nameplate was last seen on a mid-size pickup truck sold by Dodge for three generations in North America, the last of which was briefly sold – for its final 2011 model year only – as a Ram Dakota. A new global mid-size pickup could still potentially wear the Dakota nameplate, as it's not unheard of for an automaker to offer two different vehicles concurrently with the same nameplate for different markets. Examples of this include the large, ladder-frame Chevrolet Trailblazer off-roader sold in Latin America and the small unibody Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover sold in Korea and North America. Above: Ram Rampage, Fiat Titano In the ute segment, there are also two completely different Volkswagen Amaroks – the Ford Ranger -related model sold in markets like Australia, and a facelifted version of the original model sold in Latin America. Ram has talked about a global mid-size pickup for at least five years, with the brand's former CEO Mike Koval Jr telling CarExpert in April 2023 that such a vehicle would almost certainly be produced in right-hand drive (RHD) for international markets including Australia. And when he toured the Walkinshaw Automotive facility that converts Ram trucks to RHD for Australia just prior to that, Ram Trucks International chief Bob Graczyk indicated the global ute would become available in Australia whether it was remanufactured here or not. Thus far, Ram's Changan-based models have been exclusive to markets like Latin America. The same applies to the Rampage, even though Ram lacks a rival in its home market of the US for the popular unibody Ford Maverick ute.
