Chrysler considers car-based pickup
Click above for a gallery of the Dodge Rampage concept
Upcoming CAFE regulations may sound the death knell that renders the mid-size pickup segment officially spent. Sales of the not-quite full-size trucks have been dwindling at an even faster pace than their larger brothers, and much of the blame can be attributed to the small price and efficiency improvements that the smaller trucks can offer, especially now that both Ford and General Motors offer specific fuel-saving versions of their full-sizers. Some believe that car-based unibody pickups will step in to pick up the slack, and if so, Chrysler wants to be at the forefront of the movement.
Back at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, Dodge unveiled its Rampage concept featuring four-doors, a small pickup bed in back and a Hemi underhood. For a possible production model, we're expecting something along those lines, but replace the gas-guzzling V8 with a small turbocharged four-banger. General Motors could also enter the segment with a production version of its Denali XT. Toyota, too, has espressed an interest in the market with its A-BAT concept truck.
Gallery: Dodge Rampage concept
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe 5:27PM (1/09/2009)
El Camino anyone?
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gulags 5:33PM (1/09/2009)
Freaking seconded.
GoodCheer 6:25PM (1/09/2009)
Good point.... I was going to say Ridgeline, but of course that's old news now.
smog 6:37PM (1/09/2009)
where's my VW pick-up ? ( the caddy rusted out before I had finish with it)
european manufacturers have been doing it for the last 3 decades
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Nick 12:46AM (1/10/2009)
If the compact trucks didn't look like s.... then I'd definitely consider it !
The Rampage looks fantastic!
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DP 11:56PM (1/09/2009)
This would be great if it were small enough to have a 4-cyl engine that would get 30 MPG+ If it is simply a unibody RAM truck with Hemi engines, etc. it becomes considerably less compelling.
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HemiZx 12:42AM (1/10/2009)
Want to buy, but company sending job to Mexico soon. Do have a Ford Van, Pontiac sedan and Chrysler coupe-all with over 100,000 miles and no problems. I want another American car and not a Toyota or the Chinese brands that will call themselves "USA companies" too when they begin making cars here in 2011. Go USA! But bring back my job!!!
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Tony 3:04PM (1/10/2009)
Incorporates some well thought out features. I especially like the deep bed and the tail gate which can be configured into a loading ramp. It would be big step forward to produce a vehicle with this type of utility that would be affordable and responsible to drive.
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Trehugger 8:12PM (1/10/2009)
There is 2 ways to kill something, either in one shot or little by little until it dies by itself. That the 2nd option that Chrysler a chosen for their suicide, Keep maiking pick up but using car platform, then lower it until it is as low as a car etc. Then why don't just make car?. pick up are a non sense loophole, people don't need them, period! anyway Chrysler will be dead before they put this ugly crap on the market.
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John Rowell 8:18PM (1/10/2009)
What kind of Frankenstein monster is this??????
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tark 8:59PM (1/11/2009)
They come up with this instead of a fuel efficient SMALL TRUCK? The smartest point of the article was noticing that the SMALL trucks of today AREN'T and they get the same mileage as a V8?
How bout a truck that weighs less than 3000#s and gets at least 30 mpg with a 6' bed and half ton rating. They had em in the 70's and 80's and are all 60% of the people need and what I will wait for. I want a cheap work truck that is easy to park not pick up girls with cool styling.
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Gene 1:58PM (1/12/2009)
Tark,
What you need is the coming Mahindra diesel pick-up. 30MPG, lots of payload, $22k with 4x4.
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