It’s been almost a month since Ram unveiled its all-new Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Since then, the interwebs have been buzzing with both good things and bad things about the newest pickup to wear the R-A-M badge.
Most of the negative feedback has centered around the fact of it being electric. It seems the more we talk to people, there are growing concerns about the additional costs coming with electric vehicles (EVs), an inadequate charging grid, long charging times, and limited range capability in cold weather as well as towing.
But when it came down to the positive comments, most found the Revolution Concept to be very appealing when it came to its innovative new features. One of the most discussed innovations was the addition of the new third-row jump seats.
Because the truck doesn’t need a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) located in the front of the vehicle, the Ram Truck Design Studio in Auburn Hills, Michigan was able to push the firewall in front of the instrument panel (I/P) forward four inches, stretching out the cabin. The move allowed the design studio to think outside the box in terms of passenger seats.
But the idea of adding jump seats didn’t come from some of the compact pickups of the past like most would think. Instead, it came from seating at local school sporting events as Chief Interior Designer for Ram Trucks, Ryan Nagode discussed in a recent interview.
“During the development process, I was taking my son back and forth to his baseball and football games, and I couldn’t help but notice how many parents and spectators were carrying these folding stadium seats for watching the events,” said Nagode. “The appearance matched so well with the ideas we had come up with, so it seemed obvious to marry these two concepts together.”
After conducting hours of research on stadium seating, whether it be online or at the local sporting goods stores, they came up with the fact that none of them were “comfortable”. But the team was intrigued by how the newer seats could clip to bleachers and allow the person to lean back without letting the person fall backward.
“We made sure that our seats functioned in the same manner that people use stadium seating at an event, but we’re also giving them comfort and the look and feel that’s associated with the Ram Truck brand,” said Nagode.
Using some of their creative magic, the design team was able to create two rear jump seats that are on par with the craftsmanship found on the current series of production trucks, making them comfortable for most adults. Another design and engineering feat was to make them light enough that an average adult could carry them, which the team also accomplished.
When locked into the Revolution’s midgate, the jump seats can be folded up, allowing the seat cushion to set into the backrest. The addition of two hooks on the back of each seat, allows the driver to hang certain items like grocery bags and secure them from rolling all over the floor of the cabin.
Going back to that initial idea is perhaps the coolest feature of the Revolution Concept’s jump seats. While they can be removed, the design team says that you can use the hooks on the seat cushions to allow you to clip them to any bleacher or bench-style seating. This means there is no need to drag those uncomfortable stadium seats with you to games anymore.
On top of that, the seats also can be placed on the bed of the truck allowing its occupants the ultimate tailgating experience.
It will be very interesting to see if the Ram design team can carry these ideas over to production, given the strict rules about passenger safety. Nevertheless, it’s a very creative way to get even more flexibility from the traditional pickup cabin.
