The new ute wars! Forget the Toyota HiLux, a 495kW Ram Dakota will be aiming straight for the BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger as launch timing and powertrain details confirmed

The new ute wars won't be a battle of diesel outputs, but over plug-in power, with the Ram Dakota set to join the Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6 in charging into the future, leaving the diesel donks of the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and almost all of the rest in their rear-view mirrors.

The news comes as confirmation of Ram's long-awaited mid-size ute finally arrives, with the brand confirming in an internal memo that Dakota production was confirmed, before later detailing exactly what to expect, and when to expect it.

"We’ll honor the timing indicated in the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement for a launch in 2027. The new mid-size truck is planned to take full advantage of our multi-energy strategy (ICE, PHEV, and BEV),” a Ram spokesmen told US outlet Hagerty.

But what's truly relevant for Australia is the fact that the Dakota has already been largely confirmed for our market, possibly through remanufacturing partner Walkinshaw, but also possibly through right-hand drive production from the factory.

"When I got to the brand in 2016, I would say 96 percent of the engineering focus was on North America," the former global boss of Ram, Mike Koval, told us. "That's changing. Every new vehicle, starting with the (Ram 1500 REV), and everything beyond it, I will make it international in scope."

While the brand is yet to confirm engine outputs, the company's decision to move away from its EcoDiesel portfolio in 2023 all but guarantees petrol and petrol-electric will be the powertrains of choice, with the latter being the most likely for Australia.

That would give the BYD Shark 6 and the incoming Ford Ranger PHEV something to think about, with the American brand's RamCharger technology a formidable force.

In the Ram 1500, the plug-in technology pairs a 3.6-litre petrol V6 with a 92kWh battery and electric motor to produce a total 495kW and 833Nm, while delivering a total driving range of 1110kms. Crucially, it can tow (6300kg) and carry (1190kg), too.

There's no word yet on whether the Dakota would adopt an identical powertrain, or something with smaller outputs.

In terms of Australia, consider Ram's hand high in the air for the Dakota.

"A mid-size ute is on our wish list for RAM in Australia," said RAM Trucks Australia General Manager Jeff Barber, adding "we think it would be a great fit for Australia."