At CES 2023, Stellantis unveiled its answer to the increasingly crowded battery-electric truck market. A wide shoulder pickup loaded with technology, a long cabin with 3rd row jump seats, flank cup holders and even a projector.
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept is completely different from what the Stellantis brand plans to start producing by 2024 (that version will be unveiled later this year). Still, it’s the most optimistic yet about Ram’s plans for the next generation of trucks and how it aims to compete with other entrants in the nascent EV truck market, including the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Provide a clear picture.
Starting with a body-on-frame architecture designed for full-size EVs, it integrates battery packs, underbody aero panels and active diffusers to improve the car’s aerodynamics. Two electric drive modules are mounted on the front and rear axles to provide all-wheel drive, and a rear-axle steering system allows the driver to turn the rear wheels up to 15 degrees.
Ram didn’t reveal key EV specs like range or battery pack size. Expect them later this quarter. The brand said the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept can add up to 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes with up to 350 kW of 800-volt DC fast charging. Of course, that suggests the production version will have an 800-volt electrical architecture that allows for quick fast charging.
The automaker packed a lot of features, technology and new design language into the Ram 1500 Revolution. Here’s what stood out.
New face, saloon door
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
The Ram Revolution has all sorts of interesting exterior design choices, including more modern badging and a new ‘face’ that includes an animated LED tuning fork headlight design.
Perhaps the most notable design feature is the absence of B-pillars, which allows for grand saloon-style door opening. A design decision makes the spacious interior look even more cavernous. The cabin is actually four inches longer than the Ram’s equivalent petrol-powered truck. A saloon-style door conjures up that idea.
Image credit: Stellantis
3D printed side mirrors
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
The side-view mirrors are smaller than those found on other Ram trucks, a design choice intended to reduce drag and improve aerodynamics. Side mirrors that capture the surroundings of the truck with a digital camera are also produced with a 3D printer.
The truck concept is also equipped with backup cameras and rearview mirrors that communicate with biometric cameras that observe the truck’s environment.
mobile projector
The truck is equipped with multiple built-in projectors to visually convey information to the user. But since the projector also works as a mobile movie theater, we are mindful of this.
electrochromatic roof
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
The Ram Revolution Concept features a full glass roof with electrochromatic panels and integrated roof rails. From inside the cab, passengers can control ambient lighting using the overhead console.
You can also configure the entire sun visor or electrochromic roof and adjust the opacity using Ram’s haptic swipe technology.
personal secretary
Like many vehicles today, the Ram Revolution is equipped with a personal assistant. According to Ram, the 3D Ram avatar acts as the vehicle’s face and responds to various voice commands from the user.
One nice feature is that the personal assistant will follow the owner’s instructions even when outside the vehicle. Users can use shadow mode to close windows, play music, take pictures, or tell the vehicle to ‘follow me’.
shadow mode
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
Yes, Shadow Mode is a feature that allows the vehicle to automatically follow the driver walking in front. The feature, which uses sensor and camera technology to avoid obstacles, is pitched to people who may be in the field and want the truck to follow them and carry their tools.
Adjustable and removable lower display
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
Lam says the lower display (pictured above) can be used as a tablet, passenger display, truck bed workstation, vehicle control, or video game controller.
Two 14.2-inch displays can also be combined to provide a larger viewing area.
jump seat
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
What do you do with the spacious interior? Of course, the third row jump seat is also added.
A third row of jump seats is useful if you want to fit six people inside the truck cab. — Folded until use. The jump seat is attached to the midgate and the lower part is removable.
The interior layout is actually flexible, allowing users to reconfigure the seats by removing the center console.
Image credit: Kirsten Korosek
frank hall
Speaking of flexibility. The flexible layout includes pass-throughs that travel flanks through the center console. I officially call this a candid hole. This feature allows an 18 foot long object to fit in the truck.
A hole between the driver and passenger seats allows objects to pass through the flanks. credit: Kirsten Korosek
Please note that this hole is narrow. You can imagine metal or PVC tubing inlaid here, or perhaps skis.
Not sure if an object will fit? The concept also comes with a mobile app that helps users measure objects to determine if they can be transported in a vehicle. Users can scan product barcodes or use the built-in augmented reality camera measurement tool. The mobile app shows users how to best place objects on the vehicle. According to the company, projectors inside and outside the cabin can also be used to display storage location guides.
frank cup holder
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a peek inside the powered front trunk, or flank. But when I looked under the hood, which can be opened and closed with one touch, I was told that there was a cup holder. (This is an afterthought.)
Other power features on the vehicle include power charging port door on the driver’s side front quarter panel, power tailgate, flush mount door handles, power side steps and power rear steps.