2024 Ram 1200: Secret pick-up under development

The 2024 Ram 1200 is set to become a reality, according to rumours from the Americas.

Just months after 4X4 Australia suggested a smaller Ram ute could be on the horizon, new information has emerged suggesting the company will spin off two pick-ups from a secret program known as ‘Project 291’.

According to Brazilian news outlet Autos Segredos, the Ram 1200 will be designed to compete with the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in Latin American markets, while Motor Trend is reporting a new Ram Dakota is being developed for North America to fight the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

It’s likely the 1200 will see a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine borrowed from the wider Stellantis stable, while some are suggesting the Dakota ute could go for a V6 to better suit US buyers.

These renderings by Brazilian artist Kleber Silva provide a glimpse of what a smaller Ram dual-cab pick-up could look like.

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Rendering by Kleber Silva.

Inside sources say early Ram 1200 prototypes were assembled for “internal testing” around a year ago, with engineers now preparing vehicles for on-road testing ahead of an unveiling in early 2023.

The 2024 Ram 1200 and Ram Dakota are expected to go on sale in the third quarter of 2023, but given these will both be made in left-hand-drive, don’t hold your breath for an Australian version.