Ram 1500 REV May Get Smart Hood Closure Assist System

Stellantis may be gearing up to give the upcoming Ram 1500 REV a high-tech solution to an overlooked problem: making it easier to shut the frunk. A new patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) strongly suggests that a Hood Closure Assist System is in the works—and the design looks tailor-made for the electric Ram pickup.

The patent was originally filed on October 25, 2023, and officially granted on May 1, 2025. The timing aligns perfectly with the delay of the Ram 1500 REV, now expected to make its debut sometime next year. While Stellantis hasn’t officially confirmed the system’s production application, the patent illustrations clearly show a pickup-style front end with proportions consistent with the REV.

So what exactly does this system do?

In basic terms, electric trucks have extra storage space under the hood—what most call a frunk. When you slam the hood shut, that sealed-off space traps air, which makes it harder to close without using a lot of force. Traditional cars avoid this with front grilles and vents, but those openings also let in water, dust, and road grime—not ideal for keeping a clean cargo area.

This new Hood Closure Assist System solves the issue with a sealed, closed-loop air system. It works like this:

• As the hood is shut, air pressure builds in the frunk.

• That air is forced through a portal in the wall of the frunk and routed through a conduit to a bladder, which inflates to absorb the pressure.

• When the hood is reopened, the bladder releases the air back into the frunk—without ever exposing the storage space to the outside world.

It’s a clever idea that keeps the frunk sealed tight from rain, dirt, and other elements while also making it easier to close. It also eliminates the need for grille vents or additional drainage pathways, potentially saving cost and weight.

While the patent doesn’t name the Ram 1500 REV outright, the drawings and details strongly point in that direction. With the REV already teased with a front trunk area and a focus on user-friendly design, this system fits the bill.

As always, we’ll be keeping a close eye on what comes next.

Source: USPTO