Customers in the USA and Canada may associate the Ram brand with huge pickup trucks, but the same marque is primarily known in Latin America for cloning compact-sized, Brazil-made Fiat cars. For one, the Ram 1000 is actually just a rebadged Fiat Toro. Likewise, the Ram 700 that debuted today is a Fiat Strada at heart.
The car wears new badges, logos and radiator grille, but otherwise looks identical to the Strada. It ships in a single cab and a double cab version. The former can transport 720 kilograms of cargo, while the latter lags slightly behind with 650 kg. Both are 4,474 mm long.
The base spec offers a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine belonging to the outdated Fire series (85 hp / 63 kW, 122 Nm / 91 lb-ft). The range-topping Laramie trim uses a 1.3-liter Firefly engine good for 99 hp (74 kW) and 128 Nm (95 lb-ft). The transmission is five-speed manual, and the drive stays locked on the rear axle.
Pre-orders have already started in Chili from U.S. $10,900 for the base spec and $14,900 for the Laramie.
It has to be said that Ram has even smaller vehicles on its Latin America lineup, including the 4,384 mm long V700 Rapid LCV that costs $10,700 and is essentially a Fiat Fiorino rebadged for Brazil. There is also the V700 City (3,864 mm, $14,200), which is the same Fiorino, but EU-spec.
