Could Ram’s Third-Row Jump Seats Become a Reality?

The Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept, unveiled during the 2023 CES, offered a glimpse into the future of Ram's electric pickups. Among its array of innovative features, the concept showcased a unique three-row seating arrangement with removable jump seats. Now, Ram's parent company Stellantis is taking steps to patent this feature, indicating a potential move towards production.

Patent Details and Potential Production

First spotted by CarBuzz, a patent application for removable third-row jump seats was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 4, following a late 2023 filing by Stellantis. The application details seats that clip onto the rear wall of a pickup's cab and fold up when not in use, freeing up space. These seats can also be completely removed and attached to other flat surfaces, such as the tailgate.

This design mirrors the setup in the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV concept, where the jump seats were mounted to a power mid-gate. When opened, the mid-gate created a pass-through that extended into the front trunk, allowing objects up to 18 feet long to be stored in the vehicle with the tailgate closed.

Enhancing the Pass-Through Feature

Another patent application filed by Stellantis at the same time as the jump-seat filing describes a center console with its own pass-through, preserving the open space between the mid-gate and the front trunk. These filings suggest that Stellantis is seriously considering integrating some of the concept’s features into future production models.

The 2025 Ram 1500 REV

Ram's first production EV, the 2025 Ram 1500 REV, will ride on the EV-centric STLA Frame platform, boasting styling similar to gasoline Ram 1500 models and the range-extended Ramcharger. Despite missing some of the Revolution concept’s more radical features, such as coach doors and a retractable steering wheel, the REV aims to deliver a range of about 500 miles, capturing industry attention as the country builds up its charging infrastructure.

Market Demand and Future Prospects

Ram's interior chief designer, Ryan Nagode, drew inspiration for the track seating from parents hauling stadium seats to sporting events. His vision successfully integrated removable jump seats into the Revolution concept’s cabin, sparking interest among SUV and pickup enthusiasts.

“There have been vehicles in the past with jump seats, and I think there is a lot of reality built into these ideas,” Nagode told Popular Science. “Obviously, some of these things take a little pushing and pulling with the engineering team, but I think it’s not far-fetched.”

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares echoed this sentiment, indicating that features from the CES concept car could make their way into future models. This aligns with Robby DeGraff, Manager of Product and Consumer Insights at AutoPacific, who highlighted the potential for electric vehicles to offer new packaging and features due to the absence of traditional ICE components.

Real Interest in a Three-Row Pickup

AutoPacific’s research revealed a tangible interest in a three-row pickup truck, particularly among younger buyers, households with children, and female shoppers. While the production-ready Ram 1500 REV lacks the third-row jump seats seen in the concept, demand for this feature could drive its inclusion in future models.

“As expected, we learned that younger buyers, households with children, and especially female shoppers would be very interested in buying a new pickup truck with a third-row seat,” DeGraff noted. “That fifteen percent take rate may not seem that big of a deal, but when you consider nearly three million pickup trucks were sold in the states last year, automakers may seek reward in offering an available third row.”

The patent filing for removable third-row jump seats offers a glimpse of what could be a revolutionary feature in future Ram pickups. With strong interest from potential buyers and the flexibility offered by electric vehicle platforms, the launch of the first three-row pickup might be closer than we think. And for those of us heading to the next baseball game, it could mean leaving the stadium seats at home.