The day earlier than the Chicago Auto Present’s media days start, they maintain a “idea & expertise storage.” It’s a possibility for grasping, greasy-fingered journos like me to drive issues like a 707 hp Dodge Challenger inside McCormick Place. Or launch the brand new Mustang Mach-E from a standstill to 60mph inside McCormick Place. This 12 months there wasn’t a lot to drive, however Stellantis (Chrysler, Fiat, Peugot, Citroen) introduced alongside just a few idea autos and one occurred to be the Ram REV. We’d seen photographs of it from it’s debut at CES this winter however this was the primary likelihood we needed to get intimate with it.

We had at all times puzzled if pickups would get an up to date design for the EV age. Nicely, the REV appears to point that they’ll however that the adjustments will likely be comparatively minor. It’s a pointy trying truck. It’s definitely extra aerodynamic, extra windswept. The sharp edges and gaps are decreased, if not outright eradicated. It’s nonetheless huge, like a pickup typically must be with a purpose to be helpful.

Inside is a revelation. There are two doorways per facet, as is frequent in increasingly pickups, solely the doorways open reverse one another – the entrance door in a standard method and the rear door a suicide door. This makes one HUGE opening to climb into and out of the cabin. There are two captains chairs within the entrance and two within the again. Seats on the driving force’s facet share a monitor and seats on the passenger’s facet share a monitor for infinitely adjustable legroom. Moreover, there’s a monitor between the seats so extra seats may very well be added or the middle console might presumably slide backwards and forwards from the entrance of the cabin to the rear. Or one other console may very well be simply added. The structure is infinitely configurable. The sprint and console all are touchscreen operated, as anticipated. The roof is obvious however electrochromatically adjustable.

Out again, the mattress doesn’t look very massive however seems could be deceiving. The tailgates can fold down or open up and the mattress flooring can slide additional again. As soon as slid again, aero tailgates fold out of the tailgate to maintain cargo throughout the mattress of the truck.

The Ram REV additionally drives house additional prospects of the electrical pickup. Open the hood and there’s extra storage room out there. The engine bay turns into a trunk. The ram additionally showcases a passthrough system that enables the REV to hold 20’ 2×4’s throughout the confines of the truck. There’s a passthrough from the entrance trunk into the cabin and out the again of the cabin to the mattress of the truck, which might lengthen rearward for further cargo capability. A full 20’ 2×4 (or 100 can match on this area with out hanging over the mattress of the truck. A powerful feat.

The precise manufacturing Ram REV 1500 will likely be coming to market in roughly 2024 and can differ from the REV EV idea considerably, although the fundamental form will seemingly be very shut. What number of options the manufacturing truck will provide stays to be seen. Additionally but to be decided is how the inside will look. Does the REV provide a sensible illustration of the manufacturing truck or will it’s extra like a present RAM 1500?

Being a bigger automobile, it’ll seemingly make the most of Stellantis bigger battery platform and use electrical motors to drive all 4 wheels. There’s no phrase on vary or energy but, nevertheless it must be adequate that conventional IC motor truck patrons will contemplate switching. There could also be a IC generator engine to cost batteries in some variations. Ram intends to proceed to construct inside combustion 1500’s alongside the EV model for just a few years till individuals have accepted EV’s as superior. (Fingers crossed).

Observe: As this was going to press, Ram revealed the REV 1500 manufacturing mannequin. It seems like a standard Ram 1500 however with the REV’s headlights and wheels. The entrance finish is far cleaner trying. Will we see extra of the REV idea within the subsequent redesign?