With 500 miles of vary and an expensive Tungsten trim, Ram is declaring battle on the Ford F-150 Lightning
by Michael Gauthier
Could 7, 2023 at 12:48
by Michael Gauthier
The Ram 1500 is without doubt one of the best-selling autos in America, so there’s rather a lot driving on the upcoming electrical variant. Referred to as the 1500 REV, the mannequin was not too long ago unveiled on the New York Auto Present and proves being late to the sport is likely to be a bonus.
Earlier than we get too far forward of ourselves, the truck will battle the Ford F-150 Lightning in addition to electrical variations of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. It is going to additionally must fend off the Rivian R1T in addition to the lengthy overdue Tesla Cybertruck. That’s a variety of competitors, however the Ram 1500 REV has just a few tips up its sleeve.
The Future Seems to be A Lot Like The Previous
Pictures Mike Gauthier/Carscoops
Whereas quite a lot of automakers have launched adventurous electrical vans, the Ram 1500 REV is immediately recognizable because it intently echoes the usual mannequin. This makes it appear a bit boring, but it surely isn’t a carbon copy because it’s way more aerodynamic and is slated to be the “phase’s most slippery truck with an estimated .340 coefficient of drag.”
In addition to streamlined styling, the truck has distinctive tuning fork headlights and an illuminated Ram brand. Patrons will even discover RamBox storage compartments and a powered frunk that opens to disclose 15 cubic ft (425 liters) of cargo area. The truck additionally presents an all-new energy up and energy down tailgate for max comfort.
Extra: 2025 Ram 1500 REV Presents Up To 500 Miles Of Vary Thanks To A Ginormous 229kWh Battery
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These are good options, however Ram didn’t push the design envelope and that’s barely disappointing. This stands in distinction to the Silverado EV, which encompasses a midgate that allows the mannequin to haul objects over 9 ft (2,743 mm) lengthy with the mattress closed.
Talking of area, the truck is slated to have a 5’ 7” mattress with an onboard energy panel that may present as much as 7.2 kW of juice. That’s sufficient to energy all the things from lights to TVs on your subsequent tailgate celebration. It additionally permits the truck to energy instruments at worksites with out electrical energy.
An Upscale Inside With A Entrance Passenger Show
Pictures Mike Gauthier/Carscoops
Ram actually upped their sport with the present 1500 and the Restricted Longhorn has a two-tone leather-based inside with elegant swaths of wooden trim. It says luxurious with out talking a phrase.
Whereas the Ram 1500 REV will supply 5 trims – together with Tradesman, Massive Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, and Restricted – we’ve solely seen the range-topping Tungsten and it comes off a bit underwhelming in pictures. This may be chalked as much as the deal with screens as there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment system, and a ten.25-inch entrance passenger show.
That’s in all probability overkill, however they provide the truck a high-tech vibe and the passenger display will undoubtedly entice loads of consideration. It was sadly in ‘demo mode’ within the truck we checked out, however it might probably present navigation and battery data in addition to exterior digicam views, so individuals driving shotgun can act as a spotter or co-pilot.
Nevertheless, the display’s main focus is leisure. Whereas it doesn’t have Netflix or Amazon Hearth TV built-in, there’s an HDMI enter on the sprint and this allows customers to reflect content material from their smartphone or pill. This doesn’t sound ideally suited, however at the least you’ll be capable of keep away from a dreaded subscription.
In addition to sporting an HDMI enter, officers confirmed passengers will be capable of solid media to the show. Particulars are elusive, however you’ll presumably be capable of present streaming movies out of your smartphone.
Placing expertise apart, the inside doesn’t break new floor. Whereas there are some new additions, together with a twin wi-fi smartphone charger, the 1500 REV will really feel proper at house should you personal the present mannequin.
Backseaters aren’t handled as second-class residents because the range-topping Tungsten trim boasts heated and ventilated rear seats in addition to 4 USB ports and a 115 volt outlet. Rear passengers will even discover loads of head- and legroom, and so they can take pleasure in views by way of an enormous panoramic glass roof.
The excellent news doesn’t finish there because the truck boasts luxurious accents and spectacular consideration to element. Excessive-quality supplies are abound and embody a silky easy suede headliner, steel accents, and properly padded surfaces. That’s simply the tip of the iceberg because the luxurious trim boasts a two-tone design, distinction stitching and piping, and carbon fiber trim. They’re joined by a 23-speaker Klipsch premium audio system, which options audio system built-in into the ceiling and rear of the entrance seats.
Two Battery Packs And An Insane 500 Miles Of Vary
Whereas luxurious vans are in vogue, Ram instructed us their clients are extra involved about vary, towing, payload capability, and charging speeds. In consequence, they pulled out all of the stops and determined to supply the truck with huge 168 and 229 kWh battery packs. The previous ought to allow the mannequin to journey as much as 350 miles (563 km) on a single cost, whereas the latter boosts that determine to 500 miles (805 km). That’s among the many longest ranges supplied by any electrical car, not to mention a pickup.
Ram isn’t even limiting you to 500 miles (805 km) because the 1500 REV will finally be supplied with a range-extending engine. The corporate hasn’t stated a lot in regards to the XR variant, however it would observe the electrical mannequin and have a “class-shattering vary.”
Vary is barely a part of the equation as nobody needs to sit down round ready for his or her truck to cost. That shouldn’t be a lot of a problem for 1500 REV homeowners because the mannequin has an 800-volt structure and a 350 kW DC quick charging functionality. It will allow the truck to rise up to 110 miles (177 km) of vary in as little as 10 minutes.
On the subject of charging, the truck has vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities. This implies it might probably energy your property in an emergency and cost different EVs in a pinch. It could additionally interface with {the electrical} grid and ship energy to utility firms. The latter functionality means the truck may probably be charged when charges are low, after which promote that vitality again to the facility firm when charges are greater and there’s extra demand on the grid.
To make sure the Ram 1500 REV was a ‘correct’ truck, engineers developed the all-new STLA Body structure. Because the title suggests, it has body-on-frame building and this allows the mannequin to have a towing capability of as much as 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg). That’s 4,500 lbs (2,041 kg) greater than the GMC Sierra EV and 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) greater than the Ford F-150 Lightning. Patrons will even discover a formidable payload capability of as much as 2,700 lbs (1,225 kg).
Whereas many specs outshine the competitors, the truck’s dual-motor all-wheel drive system solely produces 654 hp (448 kW / 663 PS) and 620 lb-ft (840 Nm) of torque. That’s nothing to sneeze at, however the Silverado and Sierra EVs are slated to have as much as 754 hp (562 kW / 764 PS) and 785 lb-ft (1,063 Nm) of torque. That being stated, the 1500 REV received’t be a slouch as will probably be capable of speed up from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds.
Too Late Or Proper On Time?
The Ram 1500 REV actually piques our curiosity, but it surely’s a methods off because it received’t arrive till the fourth quarter of 2024. That’s to date down the street that it’s going to hit the market in spite of everything of its fundamental rivals and land shortly earlier than Ford’s second-generation entry. The latter is codenamed “Challenge T3” and Ford has stated they’ll be capable of construct as much as 500,000 models yearly at full manufacturing.
That needs to be a scary thought for Ram, however officers instructed us the 1500 REV is able to rock and roll. In addition they prompt the mannequin benefited from its late arrival as they might see what the competitors was doing after which one up them within the areas that mattered most.
That being stated, the truck doesn’t appear revolutionary and it may really feel dated by the point it reveals up late subsequent 12 months. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a lot to love together with an upscale inside, a 500 mile (805 km) vary, and legit truck functionality. In the event you suppose that’s a successful mixture, you possibly can signal as much as get early entry to preorder the mannequin for a refundable $100 charge.
