Ram has revealed its 1500 Revolution BEV concept at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This concept previews the production Ram 1500 BEV due to go into production in 2024 which will be shown off “in the coming months”.
It will go head-to-head with vehicles including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra EV, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck.
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept is based on Stellantis’ STLA Frame body-on-frame architecture and is powered by a dual-electric motor setup with all-wheel drive capability.
It has an 800V electrical architecture which Ram says it can DC fast-charge at speeds up to 350kW. A claimed 161km of range can be added in 10 minutes of charging.
The brand hasn’t detailed any power, torque or range figures for the concept but notes it’s designed to accommodate larger-capacity electric motors, which means it has the potential for future high-performance applications.
Ram has previously said vehicles on the STLA Frame Architecture will feature 159kW to 200kWh batteries and offer up to 800km of range.
The platform can support electric motors offering between 150kW and 330kW of power, which could mean 660kW dual-motor powertrains are on the menu.
The concept features four-wheel steering with up to 15 degrees of articulation. This is designed to make the pickup feel more manoeuvrable at low speeds and more responsive at high speeds.
It also features adjustable air suspension with self-levelling capability and three different modes – ingress/egress, aero, and off-road.
In terms of design, the Ram 1500 BEV concept is a futuristic take on the traditional 1500 pickup truck.
At the front there’s an animated Ram badge with a “tuning fork” LED headlight lighting signature, a skid plate, and pivoting tow hooks. There’s also a powered frunk that has a one-touch open-and-close functionality.
Around the side there are 24-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch tyres, “grand saloon-style” opening doors, flush door handles, digital side mirrors, a powered charging door, and powered side steps.
There are also the recognisable RamBox storage spaces in the rear quarter panels that are larger than in current Ram pickup models.
At the back there are animated LED tail lights and badging, a powered rear step, powered split tailgate, and an active rear diffuser.
In the rear tub there’s a powered glass mid-gate that can allow objects up to 18 feet (~5.5 metres) long to fit with the tailgate closed. There’s even a pass-through into the frunk.
Both the frunk and rear tub feature the Ram Track rail attachment system too.
The 1500 Revolution BEV concept has a cabin that’s four inches (~10cm) longer than the current production model, which adds more interior space, though the tub remains the same length.
One main highlight is the concept features third-row jump seats that can be placed in the rear tub using the Ram Track system.
All the seats feature integrated seatbelts, grab handles and speakers. They also have the ability to fold flat and have extended recline, work, and conference modes.
In the middle of the dash there are two 14.2-inch screens that measure a total of 28 inches. The lower screen has three positions, and the upper screen can slide on the Ram rail attachment system.
There’s also an augmented reality head-up display, a reversing camera with an integrated surround-view camera, retractable steering wheel, ambient lighting, exterior projector, and a panoramic glass roof with electrochromatic panels and integrated roof rails.
The interior features a number of sustainable materials including Greyslate Nanostate veneer, apple leather, and a floor that’s composed of recycled rubber and cork.
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept comes with Level 3+ autonomous driving which when active retracts the steering wheel. It also interacts with the head-up display and seats to provide “next-level situational awareness to the driver”.
As for the production vehicle’s chances for an Australian launch, a spokesperson for local Ram distributor Ateco said in April last year that it’s “working with our colleagues at Ram Trucks in the US, and are monitoring a number of vehicles that would suit the Australian market”.
In addition to the full-sized electric pickup, Ram says it’s planning a “mid-sized” one too, closer in footprint to the likes of the Ford Ranger.
This will be based on the STLA Large architecture, which will also form the basis of the Jeep Recon and Wagooner S and production Dodge Charger Daytona SRT, among others.
Ram has previously said it’s aiming to offer electric vehicles (EVs) in the majority of the segments it competes in by 2025, with a full range of electric models to be offered no later than 2030.
The promise of a full range of EVs by 2030 suggests Ram is not only working on the aforementioned mid- and full-sized electric pickups, but also EV counterparts to the rest of its model line-up.
In addition to the 1500, Ram also sells the heavier-duty 2500 and 3500 pickups and the ProMaster, a rebadged version of the Fiat Ducato van. All of these vehicles are sold locally, though the Ducato retains its Fiat badging in Australia.
The Ducato is already available with an electric powertrain in Europe, and Ram has confirmed it’ll introduce it in North America in 2023.
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