by Ram has introduced the new Dakota pickup for the South American market. The vehicle is available in two trims: Laramie and Warlock.
Two Personalities of One Pickup
While Stellantis was showing the future US-bound Dakota to dealers in Las Vegas, sales of a completely different model with the same name started in Brazil. The South American pickup is built on a ladder-frame platform also used by the Chinese Kaicene F70 and Changan Hunter, as well as the regional models Fiat Titano, Ram 1200, and Peugeot Landtrek. However, the Dakota is positioned as a more premium model.
The Laramie trim is focused on road comfort and features a chrome grille, chrome badges, body-colored side mirrors, and colored fender flares.
The Warlock trim, on the contrary, has a more rugged, off-road appearance. It received a black grille, black mirror caps and wheel arch cladding, as well as exclusive 17-inch wheels with 265/65 all-terrain tires. A sport bar is installed on the body for added strength and style.
Both versions will be available in Glacier White, Knox Silver, Graphite Gray, and Absolut Black colors.
Specifications and Capabilities
The heart of the newcomer is a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 197 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. The unit is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a permanent four-wheel-drive system.
The engine is not particularly powerful but should be sufficient for a pickup of this size.
The Dakota’s technical capabilities are impressive: it can tow up to 3.5 tons, carry a payload of over 1 ton in the bed, and the bed volume itself is 1210 liters.
Among the key updates of the new model is a rear differential lock, activated by a button. Drivers can also adjust steering weight across three modes and choose between Normal, Sport, Snow, and Sand/Mud drive modes.
Exterior and Interior
Externally, the new Dakota does not impress with revolutionary design, which, however, is typical for many modern pickups. Notable details include LED daytime running lights, a sculpted hood, and an overall rugged look.
2026 Ram Dakota Laramie
The car’s interior creates a pleasant impression. Standard equipment includes a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also provided are a wireless smartphone charger, a 540-degree surround-view camera system, dual-zone climate control, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
The cabin uses a fair amount of soft-touch materials, including leather. The front seats are power-adjustable, there are several USB ports for charging, and a large number of storage compartments for small items.
2026 Ram Dakota Warlock
A Separate Path for the US Market
While it might seem logical to adapt this model for the American market, Ram has other plans. The mid-size pickup for the US is expected to be a unique development. It is likely to be based on a different ladder-frame platform and, most probably, will receive a different engine. This highlights the company’s different approaches to global markets and the specific demands of buyers in North America, where the mid-size pickup segment is extremely competitive and consumers expect different characteristics, possibly including hybrid powertrains, which have also been rumored. Launching a separate model allows the brand to more precisely target the needs of each region without making compromises.
