Big Three EV bakkie fight on as Ram reveals 1500 REV in New York

With arch-rivals Ford and General Motors already present in the rapidly expanding electric bakkie segment in North America, Stellantis’ entry, the Ram 1500 REV, has officially debuted in production spec at the New York International Auto Show.

The eagerly awaited alternative from the third of America’s Big Three automakers to the Ford F-150 Lighting, Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV, the 1500 REV appears more in-line with the offering from the Blue Oval than the latter pair on the styling front.

Transition explained

Still recognisable as a Ram double cab, the 1500 REV’s exterior alterations comprise a sealed grille complete with an LED projected block letter R-A-M badge, a new electric bonnet hiding 425-litres of storage underneath, charging port with “premium” LED charge lights and model specific alloy wheels ranging from 20 to 22-inches.

The most prominent change are the LED headlights that expand from the clusters into the grille panel, and at the rear, L-shaped clusters with the RAM logo draped across the tailgate itself.

While the trademark RamBox storage areas integrated into loadbox wings remain, the tailgate itself now opens and closes electrically, but only on the brand-new flagship Tungsten model exhibited in the Big Apple.

In total, the Tungsten forms part of a line-up comprising five trims; Tradesman, Big Horn known as the Lone Star in Texas, Laramie and the Limited.

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Interior looks the same

Inside, the 1500 REV’s interior appears almost identical to that of the conventional petrol-powered 1500, but according to Ram, a number of differences exists.

These include more premium materials, including a carbon-fibre insert option, an EV optimised 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a brand-new 10.25-inch display on the passenger’s side, a digital rear-view mirror, new start button, an optional ten-inch Head-Up Display and a new rotary dial electronic e-shifter.

Depending on the trim level, a choice of two infotainment system are available; the standard 12-inch and the more upmarket 14.5-inch, both running Stellantis’ latest Uconnect 5 software and equipped with what the automaker calls the EV Pages that provides a graphic readout of amongst others, power flow, battery level, charge history and driving history to name but a few.

Besides its electric tailgate, features reserved solely for the Tungsten are electric, heated and ventilated quilted leather front seats, diamond knurling textured metal and platinum inserts, a suede-trimmed roofliner, electric headrests, Tungsten badges on the centre console, a bespoke interior colour called Indigo/Sea Salt and a 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere sound system.

Now, to power

Unsurprisingly, the biggest talking point of the 1500 REV is its powertrain, and indeed the premiering of Stellantis’ first electric dedicated STLA platform.

While confirmed to spawn three others, STLA Small, STLA Medium and STLA Large, the architecture underpinning the Ram carries the STLA Frame designation designed specifically for commercial vehicles.

Comprising a pair of 250 kW electric modules mounted on each axles, the one at the rear being inclusive of an electronic diff-lock and the one at the rear able to disconnect, the arrangement is paired to a choice of two batteries; the standard 168-kWh and the uprated 229-kWh.

The result of the former is a range of 563 km and a massive 805 km in the case latter, a claim that betters those of both Ford and General Motors significantly.

According to Ram though, an even longer range model, called the 1500 REV XR, will be added at a later stage promising what it calls “class-shattering range”.

Charg(ing) off-road

On the charging side, the Ram 1500 REV comes standard with a 7.2 kW on-board charger as well as a 3.6 kW outlet located underneath the bonnet. Plugged-in to a fast charger up to 350 kW unlocks a range of 177 km after 10 minutes.

Fitted as standard with air suspension and offering five driving modes – Entry/Exit, Aero, Normal, Off-Road 1 and Off-Road 2 – the final power outputs stand at 250 kW and 448 kW respectively, the latter able to get the 1500 REV from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds.

Claimed towing capacity is 6 350 kg with Ram reporting a payload of 1 225 kg. The rated wade depth, in the most extreme Off-Road 2 setting, is 610 mm. No details regarding ground clearance was revealed, though as an option, buyers can have the mentioned 22-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain rubber.

Chances unlikely but…

Confirmed for sales only from the fourth quarter of next year in the US, the Ram 1500 REV, unsurprisingly won’t be coming to South Africa, however, chances are that the much smaller Toyota Hilux-rivalling 1200 could following the announcement by Stellantis South Africa last month that is looking into local vehicle assembly come 2025.

Although it didn’t reveal anything else, including which vehicle or brand will be assembled, the popularity of bakkies and cachet associated with the Ram brand could well lead to production taking place should approval be given. As mentioned though, nothing has yet been confirmed.

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