HolyToledo!
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AI summary:
Production & Confirmation
- Name Confirmed: Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis confirmed the truck will officially be called the Ram Dakota, citing the strong brand recognition the name still holds.
- Release Date: Production is scheduled to begin towards the end of 2027.
- Manufacturing: It will be built at the Toledo North Assembly Plant, the same facility that currently produces the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler.
- Differentiation from Gladiator: To avoid cannibalizing Jeep Gladiator sales, the Dakota will not be a "reskinned Gladiator." It is expected to have a fixed roof and non-removable doors, making it a more traditional midsize pickup.
- Target Market: It is being designed as a direct competitor to the Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma. The goal is to offer a straightforward crew cab truck rather than a lifestyle convertible truck.
- Suspension: The hosts speculate it might feature an independent front suspension (IFS) rather than a solid front axle to offer better on-road refinement compared to the Gladiator.
- Engine Options: While the hosts dream of a V8, they believe the most likely volume engine will be the 2.0L Turbo "Hurricane" 4-cylinder, which currently produces around 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque in the Grand Cherokee.
- High-Performance Variant: There is speculation about a potential "Dakota RHO" or TRX-style trim featuring the 3.0L Hurricane Inline-6 engine (approx. 420–540 hp) to compete with the Ranger Raptor, though fitting the longer straight-six engine in a midsize engine bay could be an engineering challenge.
- Work Truck Focus: Management has indicated a priority on affordability, suggesting a base "Tradesman" trim with simple steel wheels that could start around the $33,000–$34,000 mark to match the Tacoma.
- Off-Road Trims: The lineup will likely include a mix of trims such as Big Horn, Laramie, and an off-road focused Rebel or RHO model.
