Ram wants to plant its stake in the growing electric pickup segment its main rivals are already present in. The company will travel to CES 2023 to unveil a concept called Revolution designed to preview a battery-powered truck tentatively scheduled to make its debut in 2024.
While the Revolution’s full design remains under wraps, a preview video published on Facebook suggests the pickup won’t borrow styling cues from the current crop of Ram trucks. It’s described as looking “fierce, slick, and heroic.” From what we can tell, the Revolution’s front end will be characterized by a pair of two-piece LED headlights, a massive “RAM” logo, and a hood that’s lower than we’re used to seeing on Ram trucks. Keeping the hood line relatively low is likely a way to make the truck more aerodynamic and in turn, improve its driving range.
Speaking of range, Ram has previously made bold promises about what its first entry into the electric truck arena will be capable of. Built on the STLA Frame architecture that parent company Stellantis developed to underpin electric trucks and SUVs, the Revolution should offer up to 500 miles of driving range and 150-kilowatt fast-charging compatibility. We’re guessing that those figures will only apply to the range-topping model, and it’s not too far-fetched to assume cheaper variants with less driving range will join the lineup sooner or later.
There’s no word yet on how the electricity stored in what sounds like a massive battery pack will reach the pavement. Ram has several options: it can assign each axle its own motor for dual-motor through-the-road all-wheel-drive, for example. This configuration would also allow it to remove the front motor and offer a rear-wheel-drive version. Alternatively, it can develop a more complicated three- or four-motor system that would unlock more power. GMC’s Hummer EV uses three electric motors; Rivian’s R1T and R1S both come with four motors.
Intrigued? So are we. We won’t have to wait long to learn more. Ram will unveil the Revolution on January 5, 2023, at CES. Looking further ahead, the concept will morph into a production model that will take on the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV in 2024.
Volkswagen’s newest EVs in China are making its American and European models look unusually conservative.
With Xpeng’s help, VW has introduced 800-volt charging and advanced urban driving assistance. The new VEGA technology package brings its locally developed vehicle platforms and CEA electronic architecture under one umbrella. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen intends to update VEGA every three months. Western buyers can find pieces of that package, but not the whole thing in a Volkswagen.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?