2021 Ram 700 based on the Fiat Strada officially revealed

KUALA LUMPUR: With everything being truck crazy nowadays, here comes a new mini truck in the global market, the Ram 700. The automaker has just pulled the wraps off the second-generation of this subcompact pickup, that will be sold in several Latin American markets, including Mexico.

The completely redesigned pickup is based on the Fiat Strada, which made its official debut earlier this year in Brazil and Argentina where the brand enjoys high popularity. As a classic example of badge engineering, the new Ram 700 is basically a Strada pickup with a different front end styling.

With Fiat’s Modular Platform Pickup (MPP) platform underneath, the new Ram 700 will be offered with two or four doors in two body styles - single and double cab. It offers seating space for up to five passengers and boasts 1,143 liters of cargo space, 1,653 pounds (750 kgs) of payload capacity, and 882 pounds (400 kgs) of towing ability. Dimensionally, it measures 4470 mm in length and 1730 mm in width.

According to the automaker, the all-new 700 "redefines the concept of the small pickup by being the most capable, versatile, safe, and technologically advanced in its class." 

Inside, the 2021 Ram 700 looks exactly like the Strada except for the ‘RAM’ badge on the steering wheel. Depending on the variant, it equips a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, LED headlights, backup camera, speed limiter, tire pressure monitoring system, and more. For safety, the equipment list includes four airbags, advanced traction control with e-locker, ABS with EBD, power-assist steering, ISOFIX Anchors, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist.

Just like the Fiat Strada, the Ram 700 also gets two powertrain options. First is a 1.4-litre Fire Evo petrol engine producing 85 PS of maximum power at 5,750 rpm and a peak torque of 118 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Another engine on offer is a more potent 1.3-litre Firefly turbocharged mill churning out 99 PS and 128 Nm. Both engines equip a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive as standard.

The 2021 Ram 700 is currently being manufactured at the FCA Betim Assembly unit, which also manufactures other Fiat models, including the Strada. It is set to go on sale across Latin America next month.

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