Behold images of the brand new Ram Dakota. Then immediately try to erase what you saw. For some reason, Stellantis is producing this epic mid-size truck for foreign markets, leaving us jealous and sad. 

The Ram Dakota is going to South America 

There is another smaller Ram truck happening, like the Ram Rampage. It’s called the Ram Dakota, and just like the Rampage, it won’t come to America. 

Stellantis has been teasing Americans about a new mid-size Ram truck for years. It feels like Argentina and Brazil just cut to the front of the line, and it’s not fair! My truck emotions are getting the best of me, sorry. 

Let’s shift gears and focus on the positives that the Dakota Nightfall concept has to offer. It looks awesome with a sculpted hood and amber lights on the grill that match the much larger Ram 1500 TRX. 

The front bumper features a protective skid plate and vertical intakes. According to Stellantis, it rides on 18-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires. It has a raised suspension, Fox dampers, a tow hook, an electric winch, and a sports bar to carry a spare tire. 

We speculate that it will be powered by a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine with 197 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This engine probably doesn’t reach American emission standards. 

The Ram Dakota is entering production in Argentina. It could serve as a test before a similar option finally debuts in America. Rumors suggest that the American model will enter production in 2027 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. 

But this new truck will be called something else instead of the Dakota or Rampage to differentiate it from the popular South American models.