Ram 700: Fiat Strada pickup truck for Mexico and the Caribbean
The first compact Ram pickup since the Mitsubishi-sourced Ram 50, the Ram 700 is built in Brazil and sold in Mexico and the Caribbean. Underneath the Ram logos is a Fiat Strada, and the Fiat name remains on the windows and the engine cover. The latter is ironic, since the engine itself is the only Chrysler-related part: the 1.6 liter four-cylinder is the Neon-derived "E.torQ" engine.
The Ram 700 will not be sold in the United States or Canada.
The front suspension is a MacPherson strut system with coil springs and a stabilizing bar; in the rear, it has an independent suspension with a transverse beam axle. Ventilated disc brakes are used in front (257 x 20 mm regular cab, 284 x 22 mm Club Cab); rear brakes are 228 mm drums. The pickup bed includes eight upper hooks in the standard pickup, four in the club cab; both have four lower hooks.
The pickup has 15,000-km (9,320-mile) oil changes, and a 705 kg payload, with a cargo volume of 43 cubic feet; Ram's literature claimed that the engine had a flat torque curve. The truck itself is based on the fourth generation Fiat Strada, which was launched at the end of 2009, and upgraded in 2013 with a cosmetic workover and double-cab edition (using "suicide doors" - the rear door opens "backwards" compared to normal cars and large-cab pickups).
The base model is a two door; a three-door Club Cab (that name is used in Mexico, without translation) is a major step up in options and cab size. It incudes a trip computer, iPod/MP3/Aux compatible stereo, and air conditioning. A trip computer lets buyers change vehicle settings, and provides fuel economy and other information; it also allows the owner to set a top speed. Steering wheel audio controls are optional.
Ram claims that the 700 was designed for city and highway driving, along with dirt and cobblestone roads, and was tested in Mexico; the Fiat Strada itself is not sold there.
The Ram 700, like the Fiat Strada (not sold in Mexico), competes with the Chevrolet Tornado (also made in Brazil) and the Volkswagen Saveiro. Ram claimed in its press release that the Tornado has a slower throttle response despite higher torque, and that the Tornado and Saveiro's base models don't have airbags, antilock brakes, air conditioning, or sound systems - all standard on the Ram. For durability, the engine has a timing chain, not a belt.
* Manufacturers' figures. VW only provided a single fuel economy figure which is assumed to be highway mileage. GM did not list any. Conversions from km/l to mpg are Allpar's, are not based on EPA protocols, and cannot be directly compared with American trucks. Base prices listed; Club Cab is $241.900 or US$17,681. Mexican to US currency conversion as of November 4, 2014.
Jaime Hale wrote:
The Club Cab, with three doors and four seaets, has a removable tailgate for easier loading (or, presumably, oversized loads). Off-road tools include a compass, inclinometer, and bank indicator, indicating the vehicle's limits. A locking differential is standard on Club Cab, for speeds up to 20 km/hour. Club Cab also includes special fascias, awning rails, black outside mirrors with turn signals, splash guards, 15 inch alloy wheels with 205/65 tires, and fog lamps.
The first compact Ram pickup since the Mitsubishi-sourced Ram 50, the Ram 700 is built in Brazil and sold in Mexico and the Caribbean. Underneath the Ram logos is a Fiat Strada, and the Fiat name remains on the windows and the engine cover. The latter is ironic, since the engine itself is the only Chrysler-related part: the 1.6 liter four-cylinder is the Neon-derived "E.torQ" engine.
The Ram 700 will not be sold in the United States or Canada.
The front suspension is a MacPherson strut system with coil springs and a stabilizing bar; in the rear, it has an independent suspension with a transverse beam axle. Ventilated disc brakes are used in front (257 x 20 mm regular cab, 284 x 22 mm Club Cab); rear brakes are 228 mm drums. The pickup bed includes eight upper hooks in the standard pickup, four in the club cab; both have four lower hooks.
The pickup has 15,000-km (9,320-mile) oil changes, and a 705 kg payload, with a cargo volume of 43 cubic feet; Ram's literature claimed that the engine had a flat torque curve. The truck itself is based on the fourth generation Fiat Strada, which was launched at the end of 2009, and upgraded in 2013 with a cosmetic workover and double-cab edition (using "suicide doors" - the rear door opens "backwards" compared to normal cars and large-cab pickups).
The base model is a two door; a three-door Club Cab (that name is used in Mexico, without translation) is a major step up in options and cab size. It incudes a trip computer, iPod/MP3/Aux compatible stereo, and air conditioning. A trip computer lets buyers change vehicle settings, and provides fuel economy and other information; it also allows the owner to set a top speed. Steering wheel audio controls are optional.
The Ram 700, like the Fiat Strada (not sold in Mexico), competes with the Chevrolet Tornado (also made in Brazil) and the Volkswagen Saveiro. Ram claimed in its press release that the Tornado has a slower throttle response despite higher torque, and that the Tornado and Saveiro's base models don't have airbags, antilock brakes, air conditioning, or sound systems - all standard on the Ram. For durability, the engine has a timing chain, not a belt.
Chevy Tornado | Ram 700 | VW Saveiro | |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 734 kg | 705 kg | 712 kg |
Horsepower | 105 | 115 @ 5,500 | 101 |
Torque | 119-121 | 117 @ 4,500 | 105 |
Transmission | 5-speed man. | 5-speed man. | 5-speed man. |
Volume | 1100 liters | 1220 liters | 924 liters |
km/liter converted to mpg | not on GM site | 11.29 /14.03 26.6 / 33.0 | ?? / 13.07* ?? / 30.7* |
Cost (MX) | $194.400 | $182.900 | $166,334 |
Cost (USD)* | $14,354 | $13,505 | $12,282 |
* Manufacturers' figures. VW only provided a single fuel economy figure which is assumed to be highway mileage. GM did not list any. Conversions from km/l to mpg are Allpar's, are not based on EPA protocols, and cannot be directly compared with American trucks. Base prices listed; Club Cab is $241.900 or US$17,681. Mexican to US currency conversion as of November 4, 2014.
Jaime Hale wrote:
The base model, with two doors and two seats, has body-color outside mirror holders, body-color fascias, bedliner, and 14" steel wheels with P175/70 tires. Both the base and Club Cab have skid plates.
The Club Cab, with three doors and four seaets, has a removable tailgate for easier loading (or, presumably, oversized loads). Off-road tools include a compass, inclinometer, and bank indicator, indicating the vehicle's limits. A locking differential is standard on Club Cab, for speeds up to 20 km/hour. Club Cab also includes special fascias, awning rails, black outside mirrors with turn signals, splash guards, 15 inch alloy wheels with 205/65 tires, and fog lamps.
2014 Ram 700 | Metric | US |
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