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The Chicago Auto Show is the largest in the nation. If you have never been, it is absolutely huge, typically over one million square feet packed with nearly every new vehicle you can imagine. It is also known as the truck show, with nearly every type and size of truck on display. This year, the public will have the chance to see Ram’s most innovative truck, the 2024 Ram 1500 Revolution EV. The Revolution was on display during CES 2023, in Las Vegas, but that is a trade show. The Chicago Auto Show is open to the public.
2024 Ram 1500 Revolution EV
The BEV looks somewhat like the 2023 Ram 1500, but it is designed from the ground up to accommodate the battery at the base of the vehicle. The 2024 Ram 1500 BEV production vehicle will be unveiled in the coming months.
Ram elevated the pickup world when it added luxury and more interior space to the 2018 Ram 1500. It promises to redefine the Battery-electric truck market as well, with advanced technology, more cargo space, range, towing and payload. There is so much space in the cabin that Ram has created a third row of seating in the form of jump seats.
Fascinating Future Ram Technology
The 2024 Ram Revolution BEV has Autonomous Driving, Virtual Assistant and Phone and Calendar integration. The truck also has something called Shadow Mode which allows the vehicle to follow the driver when he or she is out of the vehicle. According to Ram, “This voice-activated feature can be useful in situations where the driver needs to move a short distance and doesn't want to get back in the truck, such as when picking up tools or equipment from a job site. The truck will follow the driver at a safe distance, using sensors and camera technology to navigate around obstacles. This innovation increases efficiency, making the job easier and more convenient.”
The BEV concept also has a movie projector. Multiple built-in projectors provide an efficient way to visually communicate information to the user. The projectors also double as a mobile movie theater, allowing the owner to have movie night anytime, anywhere.
A full touchscreen display comprised of two screens offers up to 28 inches of screen space as the centerpiece of an interior loaded with advanced technology. The lower display has three different positions depending on the task at hand – minimal view, extended view and full screen view – and can be removed and used in different areas of the truck.
It will be fascinating to be able to see the truck on display at the auto show. Although, I imagine that it will be cordoned off so that people can’t actually touch it.
Ram Territory Test Track
This is Ram’s 10th year at the Chicago Auto Show and the brand is bringing back its popular Ram Truck Territory test track. Attendees can once again experience the capability and power of Ram trucks by riding along in numerous vehicles on the free indoor test track. So far more than 230,000 free test rides have been given!
Ram Truck Territory demonstrates key capabilities, such as towing, payload, torque and technology. The rides also demonstrate key off-road functions, like traction, articulation and suspension, so consumers get the full in-truck experience.
Professional drivers take passengers through a series of steel culverts to show ride handling and highlight suspension options. Riders will also feel the traction and experience hill-descent technology on the iconic Ram Mountain, a 13-foot high, 30-foot long course element with 30-degree approach and departure angles. Technology will be displayed as the drivers highlight the 360-degree camera technology, class-exclusive four-corner air ride suspension, multifunction tailgate and the 12.1” touchscreen.
Attendees can stop by the Ram display for a free ride in the following Ram vehicles:
- Ram 1500 Limited
- Ram 1500 Rebel
- Ram 2500 Limited
- Ram 2500 Power Wagon
- Ram 3500 Limited Night Edition
Jeep is Also Promising to Make News at the Chicago Auto Show
Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand, North America, will be on hand during media day on February 9, 2023, to make an announcement, but at this point Jeep isn’t saying what it will be. The Chicago Auto Show is always a huge show for Jeep. It is one of the first places that Jeep constructed its Camp Jeep test track and this year, the brand is also hosting a Wagoneer Zone. So far, Camp Jeep has given millions of rides to consumers at Camp Jeep. The 3 millionth ride is expected to take place during this year’s Chicago Auto Show.
The 28,000-square-foot exhibit offers consumers an interactive adventure zone where professional drivers give riders the opportunity to experience off-road capabilities on the tallest 28-foot high Jeep Mountain, with 45-degree approach and departure angles. Showgoers also experience a 5-foot ground-clearance stair climb, an extreme break-over obstacle, off-camber stability side slope, a 30-degree banked articulation wedge and maneuverability moguls that demonstrate suspension travel capabilities.
Attendees can go for free off-road rides in the following Jeep vehicles:
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
- Jeep Wrangler 4xe
- Jeep Wrangler 392
- Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
- Jeep Grand Cherokee & Grand Cherokee L Summit
Other Stellantis Brand Vehicles on Display
The Alfa Romeo Tonale EV, will make its Chicago Auto Show debut. The Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept, which embodies Chrysler’s new contemporary, tech-forward design will also be on display. Chrysler continues forward on the brand’s plan to launch its first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in 2025 and full battery-electric portfolio in 2028.
Chrysler will also showcase the 2023 Chrysler 300C, which is powered by the 6.4L HEMI® engine and commemorates the nearly 70-year legacy of the Chrysler 300, as well as the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Road Tripper, a special version of the ultimate family travel vehicle.
Muscle car fans will love what the Dodge brand has on display in Chicago, including the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept. The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept offers a glimpse at the brand’s electric future through a vehicle that drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge and sounds like Dodge. Dodge will introduce its first all-electric muscle car in 2024.
Also, two of the seven Last Call special-edition models will be on display, including the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost and the Dodge Charger King Daytona.
Wagoneer will showcase both the new 2023 Wagoneer L Carbide and Grand Wagoneer Obsidian models, as well as the all-new Hurricane twin-turbo engine family, at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, including the new long-wheelbase L models, return as the top of the line for the Jeep brand.
Virtual Auto Show
To help those who can’t travel to the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Stellantis has built a virtual world and is providing an alternate approach to make it easy to see the newest and hottest vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram and Alfa Romeo. You can find the virtual auto show at stellantisvirtual.com. Virtual auto show attendees can also register in a sweepstakes for a chance to win a credit of up $100,000 toward the purchase of a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram or Fiat vehicle. Sweepstakes winner will be chosen in a random drawing and is open to anyone 18 years or older with a valid driver's license.
Chicago Auto Show
The 2023 Chicago Auto Show will be held February 11 - 20 at McCormick Place. For more information, visit www.chicagoautoshow.com
Ram Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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