New RAM 700 ute takes shape

We first caught sight of the Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA) new compact ute in February 2020, in the form of the Brazilian-market Fiat Strada.

Now, images of a related follow-up have surfaced. Badged as the RAM 700 in Mexico, the compact ute is insanely popular across the Latam region, clocking up more than a million sales in Brazil alone during 2018.

Originally slated for release in April, the hugely popular ute's launch (like so many new cars this year) has been pushed back due to poor market conditions.

A new official image of the rear of the RAM 700 has been revealed showing the new brake light design and rear and sports bar, along with several other images confirming base-grade budget models fitted with steel wheels et cetera.

However the odds for seem unlikely for the RAM 700 in Australia, where ute tastes appear to be shifting towards larger, not smaller pick-up trucks. For example, the bigger V8-powered RAM 1500 is imported to Australia and has found favour with Aussies.

FCA Australia said that dual-cab utes are very much of interest to the company, the upcoming $75,000 Jeep Gladiator a key model for that brand.

The Strada has been sold in Europe previously and could provide the brand with a circa-$30,000 ute, but an FCA Australia spokesperson told carsales: "We won't be commenting on the Strada."

While details of the new RAM 700 are scarce, the car-based compact pick-up truck is a four-door, four-seat proposition with a small rear tray offering a circa-700kg payload.

Towing capacity for the small ute is about 1000kg.

The current RAM 700 ute is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol/ethanol engine but is expected to abandon that for a newer, more efficient 1.3-litre unit that pumps out about 75kW.

Compact utes have never truly captured the imagination of Aussie buyers, with a couple of exceptions: car-based pick-ups like the Proton Jumbuck and Subaru Brumby.

Larger car-based utes such as the Ford Falcon ute and Commodore-based Holden ute sold in massive numbers in the past.

Hyundai Australia is understood to be investigating the US-build Hyundai Santa Cruz ute for the Australian market but as it stands the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger are expected to rule the utility roost Down Under for the foreseeable future.