Ram Truck is sharing its vision of an all-electric future - and that vision is the Ram 1500 Revolution Battery-electric Vehicle (BEV) Concept with third-row jump seats. Recently debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the automaker describes the Revolution BEV Concept truck as "a glimpse into the future" that "demonstrates how the industry’s leading truck brand will once again redefine the pickup truck segment."
Ram 1500 Revolution (BEV) Concept
More than a concept, the 1500 Revolution BEV previews the first all-electric Ram production pickup due out in 2024. The automaker says it will be the leader in range, towing, payload and charge time. Ram also says we can expect to see the concept's innovative features in future Ram pickups.
“The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is our clearest signal yet that we’re on the precipice of something extraordinary at Ram and points directly to where we’re going on our electrified journey,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO – Stellantis. “At Ram, we’ve redefined what pickup trucks can be, and we will do so again by pushing past what competitors are offering by delivering the best electric pickups on the market.”
Credit: NewspressUSA at CES.
Design
Ram says the exterior design team set out to create an ultra-modern concept that exudes "heroic strength, maintains its purpose and is environmentally responsible." The cabin is four inches longer than today’s production truck for increased room and comfort while the bed length remains the same.
An animated and modernized “R-A-M” badge adorns the all-new face of Ram, which features a fully animated LED “tuning fork” design.
Photo Credit: Stellantis/Ram.
The doors have been reimagined in a grand saloon-style opening that showcases the roomy occupant space without a B-pillar. Bright LED lights are integrated into the front bumper flares and lighting advancements are highlighted by fully animated LED taillamps and badging. The integrated fascia design features a skid plate and new pivoting tow hooks that can sit flush.
Photo Credit: Stellantis/Ram.
The concept features self-leveling capability and rides on 24-inch wheels with center caps that light up and stay in place. Fender wells clear 35-inch tires with a new unique design.
Innovative features include a new powered "frunk" with one-touch open-and-close functionality that adds capability and storage. A powered charge-port door is situated on the driver’s side front quarter panel. In back, you'll find a powered tailgate and flush-mounted door handles along with powered side steps and a powered rear step with active diffuser.
Photo Credit: Ram.
New digital side-view mirrors are smaller, more lightweight and use 3D printed materials for optimal aerodynamics and reduced drag. Smaller side-view mirrors use a digital camera to capture the truck’s surroundings. Of course you'll see recognizable Ram design cues that include Ram's multi-function tailgate and a larger RamBox.
Interior
The concept showcases an open design concept designed to give occupants flexible options. For instance, you can remove the center console or convert it into a workstation surface.
A flat-top and bottom collapsible steering wheel offers enhanced hand grips with capacitive controls, digital screens and a lit “RAM” badge.
Photo Credit: Stellantis/Ram.
Tactile swiping technology enables occupants to configure the sun visors or the entire electro-chromatic roof with the ability to adjust the opaqueness. A full glass roof with electro-chromatic panels and integrated roof rails features ambient lightning that’s operated through the overhead console.
Photo Credit: Stellantis/Ram.
A full touchscreen display comprised of two screens offers up to 28 inches of screen space.
Sustainable materials used in the cabin include Greyslate Nanostone veneer that is resilient and lightweight and Apple leather, a bi-product from the apple industry that is naturally animal and cruelty free. A uniquely textured floor is composed of recycled rubber and cork particles that enhance durability and functionality.
Ram Track, Ram’s rail attachment/floor track system, provides cabin flexibility for the seats and console, as well as usable tie-downs or other storage potential. It's also incorporated in the frunk, as well as the truck bed.
Introducing 3rd-Row Jump Seats
Nearly 50 years ago, the club cab was introduced with second-row seating. Now Ram is introducing a new feature: third-row removable jump seats. The powered mid-gate features mounted jump seats. You can remove the lower section.
Photo Credit: Stellantis/Ram.
The mid-gate with powered glass enables a pass-through (and into the frunk) can fit objects up to 18-ft. long with the tailgate closed.
Lightweight seats feature integrated seatbelts, grab handles and speakers. They fold-flat and also feature extended recline, work, conference modes and deploying the jump seats.
New Rearview Mirror
A new rearview mirror combines leading-edge technology to improve safety and convenience. It features a range of technologies, including a smart backup camera with 360-degree views, speakers, and receivers compatible with voice assistants, such as Alexa and Siri. When in reverse, the camera stitches together images from various other cameras around the truck, providing the driver with a 360-degree view on the interior digital screens so drivers see their surroundings with greater clarity. The mirror's supplementary backup flood lamp provides more visibility when reversing the truck, useful in low light conditions. In addition to the backup camera, the rearview mirror also communicates with biometric cameras that observe the truck's environment as it approaches objects and as it’s being approached.
A Personalized Experience
Another focus is a personalized and connected experience for each passenger. Some unique technology features include:
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Vehicle Personal Assistant – Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered virtual assistant that enhances in-vehicle and exterior interaction with users. A 3D Ram avatar acts as the vehicle's face, responding to various voice commands from users. Additionally, voice control enables the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept to follow commands from the owner while they’re outside the vehicle, such as close the windows, play music, take a picture, and “follow me” with Shadow Mode
- Shadow Mode – Allows the vehicle to automatically follow driver walking ahead of the vehicle. This voice-activated feature can be useful in situations where the driver needs to move a short distance and doesn't want to get back in the truck, such as when picking up tools or equipment from a job site. The truck will follow the driver at a safe distance, using sensors and camera technology to navigate around obstacles. This innovation increases efficiency, making the job easier and more convenient
- My Day - Intelligent trip planning based on users’ schedules and preferences to provide suggestions at right time and right location
- Cabin Mode - Cabin Modes are “one button” settings that adjust multiple aspects of the cabin experience at once, based on the use case. They include options such as Productivity Mode, Social Mode, Party Mode, Relax Mode and user-created modes. Adjustments include interior lighting, seat position and orientation, window and skylight opacity, vehicle suspension, sound zones and display content
- Advanced Augmented Reality (AR) Heads-up Display (HUD) – This feature combines AR HUD and advanced camera and sensor technology to provide enhanced driving assistance. See-through vision uses camera and sensor technology to create an experience that allows the driver to see objects outside of their normal view on the AR HUD. The AR HUD can also display information
- Intelligent storage app – Mobile application that helps users measure objects to determine if they can be transported with their vehicle. To obtain an object’s dimensions, users can scan the product’s barcode or use a built-in AR camera measuring tool. The mobile app will show users how the object can best be positioned in their vehicle, and internal and external cabin projectors assist by displaying guides on the target storage location
- Adjustable and removable lower display – Used as a tablet, passenger display, truck bed workstation, vehicle control or video game controller, the two 14.2-inch displays can be combined to provide a larger viewing area
- Smart Home Control - User can control their smart home from the infotainment screen, adjusting devices such as lights, cameras, thermostats and sound systems
- Advanced camera and sensor system - Multiple cameras and sensors works together to enhance the driving experience and provide additional functions, such as 3D capture, biometric identity recognition, and 360 photo and video capture
- Exterior projector – Multiple built-in projectors provide an efficient way to visually communicate information to the user. The projectors also double as a mobile movie theater, allowing the owner to have movie night anytime, anywhere
- Autonomous capabilities – In Level 3+ autonomous mode, the vehicle retracts the steering wheel to provide additional space for the driver. Interior lights, the AR HUD, smarts seats and the steering wheel work together to provide next-level situational awareness to the driver
Powertrain, Performance, Range and Charging
Based on the company’s STLA Frame platform, the concept features all-wheel-drive capability and is powered by two electric drive module (EDMs), positioned toward the front and rear of the vehicle. Designed to accommodate larger capacity EDMs, the concept offers the potential for future high-performance applications. Adjustable air suspension enables three different modes: ingress/egress, aero, off-road.
Photo Credit: Stellantis/Ram.
The concept can add up to 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes with 800-volt DC fast charging at up to 350 kW.
The charge port illuminates and blinks while charging. An audible sound will signal it’s plugged in and charging is underway. The charge port features Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging on the top half, with DC fast charging on the bottom half.
To see more photos of the Ram Revolution BEV concept visit the Ram Truck website here →
Photo Credit: Ram/Stellantis.