Ram is ready to rumble! Look out Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, the Ram 1200 is the mid-size ute we've been waiting for

The long-awaited Ram 1200 is finally getting ready to rumble, with the brand's Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival to begin launching in South American markets in early 2023 before expanding to other global markets.

Brazilian site Auto Segredos has the scoop here, with the site reporting Ram's secretive Project 291 has been confirmed by Stellantis, and will go into production at a Jeep factory in Brazil as soon as early next year.

In fact, the site reports that Ram already built prototypes of the 1200 as far back as April 2021, and has now green-lit the project to continue with more prototypes ahead of production officially commencing.

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The news has reportedly been officially confirmed by Antonio Filosa, President of Stellantis South America in a briefing to local journalists, though the brand is coy on detail for now.

Still, media reports point to two engine options for the Ram 1200, a 2.0-litre Tiger Shark petrol good for around 150kW. It pairs with a nine-speed auto and sends power to all four wheels.

The Ram 1200 is also tipped to be offered with a 2.2 Multijet II turbo-diesel, tuned to deliver 150kW and around 450Nm. It too pairs with a nine-speed auto and is equipped with four-wheel drive.

But that's just the beginning, with the new 1200 also reported to be adopting hybrid and full-electric powertrain options to allow it to take on the American market - where it could be renamed the Dakota.

Local media reports the new 1200 will ride on the Stellantis Small Wide architecture shared across Jeep products, only extended in both width and length to ensure the new mid-size ute measures up against models like the HiLux and Ranger.

Rumours abound, too, that two versions will be produced – a monocoque for Latin America and a body-on-frame version for export markets.

Will the 1200 make its way Down Under? Watch this space.