Spied: 2018 Ram Midsize 'Crossover' Pickup
There's quite a bit of buzz about which major automaker will be next to enter the growing midsize pickup truck segment. Many pundits are betting on Ford to announce something as soon as next year; meanwhile our spy shooters have seen modified, disguised Fiat Toros driving around Michigan for a few months. We're sharing the latest camouflaged vehicle our photographers have captured. This is what they had to say:
"We caught a disguised midsize pickup leaving the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. It raises new questions about the timing of a pickup truck for Dodge or Ram.
"Underneath all that camouflage is the Fiat Toro pickup - reportedly based on a lengthened version of the Jeep Renegade. As if on cue, the disguised truck was seen on public roads accompanied by a Jeep Renegade support vehicle. The Toro looks to be more than 2 feet longer than the Renegade, making it a vehicle much more useful than the Renegade from a utility point of view.
"It's likely that FCA product planners are looking for a way to leverage the automaker's global platforms in a way to launch something well below the full-size Ram pickups to broaden its U.S. product portfolio. The disguised truck running in Auburn Hills is certainly interesting, but is it too small? As is, this new pickup would be smaller than the midsize Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tacoma.
"What we have here is a smaller, truck-flavored 'crossover' pickup that might be able to come to market at a lower price, get better fuel economy than the bigger, heavier ladder-frame pickups and still deliver some pickup capabilities. Like the Hyundai Santa Cruz concept, this could be the start of a new segment in the U.S. market. Whatever the case, there are some curious-looking camouflaged trucks prowling around the FCA Technology Center these days."
We'll be on the lookout for more prototypes and will provide more details as they become available. Stay tuned.
KGP Photography images
Comments
looks weird to me, I can imagine the underside of the skin looks anything but good.....Then again I dont get the fascination with these little car/trucks, they are useless IMO.
Subaru Baja?
Rear end sits too high compared to the front like a Colorado. Are the front suspensions properly designed and built?
There is a brazilian Toro...
http://toro.fiat.com.br/
Will this be for the US market?
How old is the Toro platform?
How many Rangers were seen testing in the US over the past 6 years or so?
I really see the Mitsubishi Triton as the only real mid size that could be on offer in the US at the moment. The Triton is around the size of the Nissan D22, but a little longer with it's weirdly lengthened bed.
Will this be for the US market?
How old is the Toro platform?
How many Rangers were seen testing in the US over the past 6 years or so?
I really see the Mitsubishi Triton as the only real mid size that could be on offer in the US at the moment. The Triton is around the size of the Nissan D22, but a little longer with it's weirdly lengthened bed.
Yuck, I'd rather just get a car. Bring back the Dakota with the eco diesel.
Some people do not need nor want a truck as big as the Taco/Colorado/Frontier, and they also do not want a 4 door small truck. Look how many Rangers they sold from 94-2004 with just an extra-cab config....
I am still torn on whether I want a mid-size truck, they are bigger then I need plus something smaller should get better gas mileage. I can haul a boned out elk and all my gear or all my tree stands and camping gear in a small truck. Been doing it for over 30 years, and do not want no stinkin diesel
TORO looks great. I like what I see. Finally some new blood and FIAT engineering. It's going to be huge success, like Jeep Cherokee which is engineered by FIAT engineers. It has simmilar design language.
Another plus is no leafs, 4x4 with low range from Renegade. This could also be a Jeep branded truck, not RAM, like PUTC says, because of Jeep Renegade support vehicle.
It has 1 metric ton payload capacity for someone ready to bash.
http://revistaautoesporte.globo.com/Noticias/noticia/2016/02/saiba-tudo-sobre-picape-fiat-toro.html
I'm going with Dave on this one (as if that surprises anyone.) If it includes Fiat's Jeep-level AWD system, this could be the near-perfect replacement for my Wrangler Unlimited and Ford Ranger combo--one vehicle to replace two with probably better fuel mileage than both. It would give me the capability to carry things I don't want to carry inside the vehicle while giving me the more capable AWD for foul weather than the majority of other AWD systems. The size itself is near perfect, especially if the tailgate does as that Brazilian website implies. Definitely has my attention.
Maybe these ugly things do well in focus groups with soccer moms and people who stay home all day, but nobody I know would want one for personal or professional use. Swap the crew cab for a regular cab and put on a 7' bed, give it a diesel option and a decent payload capacity, and price it without options lower than fullsize and then I'll consider it.
@BD, you just described a halfton, meaning they also do well with focus groups and soccer Moms, as they too are grocery getters
Dave,
Want and can afford are two different things.
Ranger sold that many because they were cheap, tough and reliable.
If the price difference between a extended cab and the quad door was only $350 more....I'd bet they would have sold a lot of quad door models.
You can't really go much smaller then the current taco, frontier, Colorado. If you sit in one you will see they are narrow not much elbow room or rear leg room. People say they are bigger but thier not really. It's just most of them are crew cab 4x4 so they look bigger.
Sit inside an old ranger or S10 and you'll understand that the new Tacoma and Colorado are nearly 3" wider inside.
The Colorado is like 74" wide but that's at the fenders that stick way out about 3 inches on each side. The rest of the truck is much narrower
The older Ranger and S10 were 58" the new Colorado is 62"
@canadainthoughts
I can like or dislike what ever I want. This is free country I am living in.
Don't firget, that this is FIAT. Not a RAM engineered by USA engineers.
FIAT=LOL
Leveraging the platform is smart.
If its cheap enough and gets good enough MPGs this could make sense. Sadly in the little truck market its not about making sense. There is graveyard of vehicles that made sense in this little sorta a truck market but just weren't "cool" enough for the crowd that buys these trucks... Mostly because for these to make sense they tend to be more car based and car based "trucks" just aren't cool enough for guys with not enough work for a full size truck but still want to be driving a truck. I learned the hard way when selling cars... Don't try to get the customer to be smart just give them what they want even its a bad move. Fiats crazy Wrangler based truck will do better for them than this much more comfortable, affordable, economical, sensible option with this crowd in this market.
if they brand this as a jeep, and call it the Comanche i will burn my jeep to the ground and buy a 4runner
@Dave
I am assuming gasoline engine 3.2 6 Cyl with 9 speed would be for NA market.
Here is more pictures also for beefed up rear suspension in GM forum and some other useful info. GM forum. They like it.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f37/fiat-toro-pickup-spied-224481/index2.html
@Kawel
I heard some like that, when they introduced New Jeep Cherokee.
Boy , you were all wrooong....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJk1tS2pxYk
Pretty good video, if you mute it down.
It's 8"longer than Fiat Strada. This is definitely coming to the NA market. Hold on Ford and GM guys.
Pretty good video, if you mute it down.
Posted by: RAM | Apr 21, 2016 12:56:20 PM
If FCA brings this to the NA MARKET before Ford, Ford will have missed the opportunity to re-enter the midsizer market. There are enough great offerings from high quality manufactures already that are sowing up that market share.
Nice fem wagon, no unibody trucks for me no thanks.
This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has been closely following the news about Fiat Chrysler's mid-size truck plans.
Skip to 13:37 . That's FIAT engineering ! Easy to reach inside split doors, but still option to load longer pieces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJk1tS2pxYk
I threw up in my mouth a little....
Oh my god....notice the wheel wells...not completely round...a little squared of on the top
Independent rear? No thanks. Just another crossover looking to "crash" the pickup market.
This is the all new ram 1500 that RAM has been bragging about. Since the fiat 1500 has the " class leading car like ride" fiat decided to go all in in making the 1500 the softest with no payload truck that rides and feels like a car. Here you go fiat fans, your new 1500 for 2017.LMAO. in a crash it is also designed to fold up so small the paramedics can pick up you still in the car.........I mean the fiat 1500 and put you in their duffle bag. LMAO.
That's a Toro, alright. I can tell by the shape.
the real question here, is whether FCA will still be around to offer it. The company is so mismanaged, it's amazing the shareholders haven't revolted and demanded that Sergio Marchionne step down. Mitsubishi and Volkswagen have a much better chance at survival than FCA.
This is not a crossover, but SUP. Sport Utility Pickup. 1 metric ton payload. Rear suspension is beefed up ,it's most similar to Doblo's bi-link and still very comfy and safer , sticks to the ground better than solid axle. Exactly what's needed for this type of vehicle.
FIAT engineers knows better than you.
the real question here, is whether FCA will still be around to offer it. The company is so mismanaged, it's amazing the shareholders haven't revolted and demanded that Sergio Marchionne step down. Mitsubishi and Volkswagen have a much better chance at survival than FCA.
Posted by: imoore3 | Apr 21, 2016 1:58:58 PM
Your question has been answered already. This truck has been produced and in showrooms already. FCA is still around , never did better.
Not surprised by the Rambots blowing smoke up everyone's butts. They are acting like this is the best thing ever. Just what FCA needs, another car like truck. It might sell but FCA has a track record of making small vehicles that nobody wants.
Good luck, Sweater Sergio needs it.
This is not a small vehicle by any means Loubc.
This is not a small vehicle by any means Loubc.
Posted by: RAM | Apr 21, 2016 2:30:37 PM
Your right. It is the new 1500. LMAO.
@LMAO
You are wrong . This is TORO, not new 1500. Even article says that.
@LMAO
You are wrong . This is TORO, not new 1500. Even article says that.
LMAO
You are wrong . This is TORO, not new 1500. Even article says that.
Posted by: RAM | Apr 21, 2016 2:38:07 PM
Ummmmmmm Yea, they are going to change the name on the side to 1500. Maybe a little logo on the side that says Hemi. LMAO.
One of my employees bought a Toro. It does a great job cutting the grass. HAHAHAHAHA
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YZRMBsKX4_Y
The new fiat 1500 commercial
Oh forgot, it has class leading suspension too.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XlISp_nmxAA
The new fiat 3500
This Toro better not carry a Dakota badge. It's not worthy of that title. Talk about uuuugly.
@canadainthoughts
I have nothing against USA engineers. You are the one bashing them constantly. Even now, in your post bashing Jeep engineers. I just agree with you.
You don't like, I agree with you ?
You are ubertro!!
Dear PUTC,
Whatever you do, DO NOT spring for the larger Hi-res pictures.
Signed,
PUTC Readers
Is it just me, or does this thing conjure up images of the Pontiac Aztec?
FIAT Fullback is the truck I'd want to see. Brand it as a Ram Dakota.
@bat, I thought the same thing. Aztec styling. Just leave the cover on please.
The comments to this entry are closed.