These futuristic pickups are made with American muscle and advanced powertrains. They also have vintage styling elements.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles North America hosted last week’s virtual sketch contest to promote its FCA Drive for Design high-school program. The contest was held on Facebook and Instagram. It was inspired by FCA Drive for Design and required that participants create “wackiest and most outrageous designs for a RAM truck.”
The winning sketches were selected by Mark Trostle and Ralph Gilles, two of FCA’s most prominent designers. They all had unique designs, but shared a few common themes. Many of the winning sketches took a retro approach, with a futuristic Power Wagon concept and a skeletal hotrod, as well as a Challenger/Ram mashup, which looks ready for production.
Others were more modern. The “Dodge Ram Cabover Electric”, which showcased the flexibility of EV powertrains in packaging, showed off its impressive passenger and bed space, and was very maneuverable. A very modern off-road pickup is one of our favorite. The electric chassis is a skateboard-style design and features a picture window, which provides excellent visibility for off-highway trips. While the cab-forward design is in keeping with FCA’s past, the styling of the concept is still firmly in the 21st (or22nd) century.
A fun Rampage concept is also included in the winner’s circle. It looks almost exactly like the return to the Dodge Dakota. Although the single-cab pickup has a more round styling, the geometric wheel arches and butch wheels keep it looking aggressive.
In order to be considered, entries into the informal sketch battle needed to have FCADriveForDesign.com somewhere on the canvas. Drive for Design is a contest that only high school students can enter. They will receive a huge prize package from FCA if their entry wins, unlike the open-entry contest last week. The gifts include a trip to Detroit for the winner’s dinner, the chance to judge the Eyes On Design Car Show and a scholarship for the College for Creative Studies Precollege summer experience transportation design program.