The Ram Truck brand has always been known for pushing the boundaries and setting new standards in the pickup truck segment. Their latest concept vehicle, the Ram 1500 Revolution battery-electric vehicle (BEV) Concept, is no exception. Introduced today at CES 2023 in Las Vegas is a groundbreaking electric pickup that will be the road map for how Ram plans to redefine the full-size pickup segment once again.
“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 CEO. “At Ram, we’ve redefined what pickup trucks can be and will do so again by pushing past what competitors are offering by delivering the best electric pickups on the market.”
Loaded with advanced technology, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept demonstrates the brand’s commitment to EV leadership. It aims to reinvent the customer experience by integrating leading-edge technology, a fully connected customer experience, and advanced mobility features. From its stunning exterior design to its modernized and flexible interior, this concept vehicle delivers seamless connectivity to transform the experience for both the driver and passengers.
Whether you’re an avid truck enthusiast or a first-time pickup buyer interested in an EV pickup, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is worth paying attention to. Keep reading to learn more about this groundbreaking vehicle and how it represents the future of the pickup truck segment.
Exterior Styling –
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is a stunning vision of the ultimate pickup truck of the future. The exterior design team at Ram set out to create an ultra-modern concept that exudes strength, maintains its purpose, and is environmentally responsible. The result is a pickup truck that is both brutal and beautiful, causing Mark Trostle to coin the term”Brutiful” to describe the truck. The front end features an animated and modernized “R-A-M” logo and a fully animated LED “tuning fork” signature lighting design. The doors have been redesigned with rear-hinged back doors that showcase a spacious interior without a fixed B-pillar. Bright LED lights have been integrated into the front bumper flares, and the tail lamps and badging are fully animated LEDs.
Building on Ram’s reputation as a leader in off-road and performance trucks, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept features an integrated fascia with a skid plate and pivoting tow hooks that can sit flush. It also includes several innovative features, such as a powered frunk with one-touch open and close functionality, a powered charge-port door on the driver’s side front quarter panel, a powered tailgate, flush-mounted door handles, powered side steps, and a powered rear step with an active diffuser.
The concept also features revolutionary side view mirrors that are smaller, more lightweight, and made using 3-D printed materials for optimal aerodynamics and reduced drag. These mirrors use digital cameras to capture the surroundings of the truck, allowing for a smaller physical size. The charge port on the truck illuminates and blinks while charging, and an audible sound signals when it is plugged in and charging has begun. It features both Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging on the top half and DC fast charging on the bottom half of the charger.
The Revolution concept has an hourglass body design and fender wells that clear 35-inch tires, and it rides on 24-inch wheels with center caps that light up and stay in place. Built on the innovative STLA Frame EV platform, the truck features a cabin four inches longer than the current production truck, providing increased room and comfort while maintaining the same bed length and garagability as the current Ram 1500.
Interior Styling –
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept has a redesigned interior that boasts never-before-seen levels of flexibility, comfort, and innovation. Thanks to the BEV architecture, engineers could optimize both occupant and storage space within the vehicle.
Known as a “one-space environment,” the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept has a continuous space from front to back that enables several different interior configurations. The “one space environment” theme is supported by a new interior layout that offers even more flexibility, including the ability to configure a workspace or prepare for your next adventure. The interior is significantly more spacious than the already class-leading Ram 1500’s cabin.
“Ram Track,” the brand’s rail attachment/floor track system, provides cabin flexibility for the seats and console, as well as tie-downs or other storage options. “Ram Track” is also incorporated into the frunk and bed, giving you true flexibility from front to back. Nearly 50 ago, Ram created the first Club Cab pickup with second-row seating. Ram innovates once again with the Revolution Concept, which features third-row jump seats. The powered mid-gate has mounted jump seats with a removable lower section that can be placed in the bed or outside the vehicle. The mid-gate with powered glass enables a pass-through even going into the frunk that can fit objects up to 18 ft. long with the tailgate closed.
The center console can be removed for even more space, and the armrest can individually convert to a workstation surface. The 1500 Revolution BEV Concept offers multiple flexible seating configurations combined with the mid-gate and jump seat options. The lightweight seats have integrated seatbelts, grab handles, and speakers and can fold flat along with extended recline, work, and conference modes. Passengers in the second and third rows will appreciate the limo-like space provided by the vastly increased interior volume.
The “tuning fork” design is present inside the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept, with ambient lighting stretching the length of the dashboard and continuing down the mid-gate. A full touchscreen display comprises two screens and offers up to 28 inches of screen space as the centerpiece of an interior loaded with advanced technology. The lower display has three different positions depending on the task at hand – minimal view, extended view, and full-screen view – it can be removed and used in different areas of the truck. The upper screen can also slide on the Ram rail attachment system.
During the development of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept, sustainability was a major focus and the resulting interior features unique and resourceful materials. These include “Greyslate Nano stone” veneer, which is both resilient and lightweight, and “Apple” leather, a byproduct of the apple industry that is naturally animal- and cruelty-free. The concept also has a uniquely textured floor made of recycled rubber and cork particles, which enhances durability and functionality.
Technology –
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept comes equipped with an AI-powered virtual assistant called the Vehicle Personal Assistant. This assistant is accessible both inside and outside the vehicle and can be commanded using voice commands. The assistant is represented by a 3D Ram avatar and can perform tasks such as closing the windows, playing music and taking pictures. The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept also has a feature called Shadow Mode, which allows the vehicle to automatically follow the driver when they are walking in front of it. This can be useful for short-distance movements, such as picking up tools or equipment from a job site. The vehicle will follow the driver at a safe distance and navigate around obstacles using sensors and cameras.
“My Day” is an intelligent trip planning system that uses the user’s schedule and preferences to suggest the best times and locations to visit. This feature can help users optimize their trips and make the most of their time on the road.
The Concept also features “Cabin Mode,” which allows users to adjust multiple aspects of the cabin experience with just one button. There are several pre-set modes to choose from, including Productivity, Social, Party, Relax, and User-created modes. These modes can adjust various features of the cabin, such as interior lighting, seat position and orientation, window and skylight opacity, vehicle suspension, sound zones, and display content. This allows users to create a personalized, comfortable driving experience that meets their needs.
Even more advanced technology features make it stand out from traditional trucks. One of these features is the Advanced Augmented Reality (AR) Head-up Display (HUD). This system combines AR HUD technology, advanced cameras, and sensors to provide enhanced driving assistance. The see-through vision feature uses camera and sensor technology to allow the driver to see objects outside of their normal view on the AR HUD. The AR HUD can also display various information to help the driver navigate and make driving decisions.
Another unique technology feature of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is the Intelligent Storage app. This mobile application helps users determine whether an object can be transported in their vehicle by measuring the object and providing guidance on the best way to position it in the truck. Users can scan the object’s barcode or use the built-in augmented reality camera measuring tool to obtain the dimensions of the object. The mobile app will then show the user how to best position the object in the vehicle, and internal and external cabin projectors will display guides on the target storage location to assist with this process.
The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept also has an adjustable and removable lower display that can be used for a variety of purposes. It can function as a tablet, passenger display, truck bed workstation, vehicle control center, or video game controller. The two 14.2-inch displays can be combined to provide a larger viewing area if needed.
The Smart Home Control feature allows the user to control their smart home devices from the infotainment screen of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept. This includes adjusting lights, cameras, thermostats, and sound systems.
The advanced camera and sensor system of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept uses multiple cameras and sensors to enhance the driving experience and provide additional functions such as 3D capture, biometric identity recognition, and 360-degree photo and video capture.
The exterior of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is equipped with multiple built-in projectors that provide a convenient way to communicate information visually. These projectors can also double as a mobile movie theater, allowing the owner to enjoy movies anytime, anywhere.
Finally, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept has autonomous capabilities that allow the vehicle to operate in Level 3+ autonomous mode. In this mode, the steering wheel retracts to provide additional space for the driver. The interior lights, AR HUD, smart seats, and steering wheel work together to provide enhanced situational awareness to the driver.
At CES, Ram is introducing the Ram Charger, a robot that makes charging your electric vehicle at home as simple as possible. When it detects the presence and charging needs of your vehicle, it automatically moves into position and aligns itself under the car to start charging. This intelligent charger can also charge your vehicle during off-peak hours for added convenience and peace of mind.
Powertrain –
While we currently don’t know too much about the drivetrain, this is what we currently do know. The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is powered by two electric drive modules (EDMs), one on each axle, with all-wheel-drive capability. Up to 100 miles of range can be added in approximately 10 minutes with 800-volt DC fast charging at speeds up to 350 kW.
It also has four-wheel steering with up to 15 degrees of articulation for greater maneuverability. The vehicle is built on a new STLA Frame body-on-frame architecture explicitly designed for full-size electric vehicles, efficiently incorporating the battery pack with full underbody aero panels and an active diffuser.
Ram is also still committed to providing internal combustion options as well. We had the opportunity to interview Ralph Gilles about the Ram Revolution concept. We asked if the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) versions of the truck and the BEV version would merge stylistically, and he said they would be easily distinguishable.
In conclusion, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is a glimpse into Rams’ future electric pickup trucks, with advanced technology and a fully connected customer experience. It has a sleek exterior design, a flexible and modernized interior, and a potent electric powertrain. The production model is set for 2024, and Ram says will lead the industry in range, towing, payload, and charge time. The entire Ram lineup will offer electrified solutions in the coming years as part of the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
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