Electric Ram due in January, Boxster/Cayman gain ’90s glam, Toyota’s new overlanding trim

Ram Revolution BEV Concept Manifold Lede
Stellantis

All-electric Ram concept truck to debut at CES in January

Intake: Stellantis is gearing up to unveil the Ram brand’s answer to Ford’s F-150 Lightning at the Consumer Electronics Show. Held in Las Vegas on January 5, visitors to CES 2023 will have the chance to experience the “Ram Revolution” BEV concept, to see what Stellantis offers relative to the electric trucks currently on the market, and in the pipeline. Details are nonexistent for now, but the Ram Revolution might be a disguised version of the production EV truck slated to arrive in Ram showrooms by 2024.

Exhaust: Stellantis and CES sure got a thing going on, as this year’s event included their Chrysler Airflow CUV concept. While the Ram Revolution’s singular photo raises more questions than it answers (that’s a mighty sleek A-pillar for a work-oriented vehicle!) at least we know it looks like a proper descendent of the Rams before it. That’s in stark contrast to the Airflow, which could have been so much more. Perhaps that’s the reason why Stellantis chooses to debut these vehicles to a tech-heavy audience. After all, if your biggest competitors are already in the game, why not do a Willie Keeler and hit ‘em where they ain’t? Because after experiencing both the Lightning and the Rivian, it’s clear that the competition isn’t making many mistakes. Stellantis better bring their A game when they arrive in Vegas next January. — Sajeev Mehta

Your first look at Volvo’s biggest, most luxe electric SUV

Intake: Behold Volvo’s most expensive, most luxe SUV—its nose and side, at least. These partial views are our first look at the exterior of the EX90, which we’ll see in full on November 9. Volvo isn’t getting too wild with this new offering, in keeping with its calm, minimalist aesthetic. The closed off “grille” bearing the company’s crossbar and arrowed circle (which hides a camera) mimics the schnozes of the company’s tiny BEV runabouts, the XC40 Recharge and the C40. Here, however, the logo sits closer to flush with the car’s front sheetmetal. The door handles will also tuck into the car’s sides, increasing aerodynamic efficiency. We’d expect these to operate like a Jaguar’s: pull out one end with a finger to activate the latch, press the notched end into the body to lock the door. On the car’s roof will be a lidar unit, which functions “as the car’s eyes,” says T. Jon Mayer, Volvo’s head of exterior design, whose team successfully avoided a “coffee can” packaging.

Exhaust: Since Volvo has the advantage of learning from its Geely-owned, all-electric sibling Polestar, we expect this SUV to be well-executed and high-tech. The EX90 kinda has to be, to keep Volvo in the big leagues of luxury, where it wants to play.—Grace Houghton

“Style Edition” brings ’90s makeup to base Boxster/Cayman

Intake: Porsche is adding a pair of new models to the 718 range, and throwing in a splash of color. Available in Ruby Red Neo paintwork, which is a tribute to the Ruby Star hue of the 964 Carrera RS, the Boxster and Cayman Style Editions gain 20-inch 718 Spyder wheels in high-gloss black, black sport tailpipes, and Porsche lettering in high gloss silver at the rear. Boxster versions also get their name embossed in the convertible top above the side windows. Hood stripes and Porsche logos for the side are optional. Interior additions include a heated leather steering wheel, and a black leather cabin with contrasting chalk stitching. A six-speed manual transmission comes as standard, mated to the two-liter turbo four-cylinder motor, with a seven-speed PDK and Sport Chrono Package both on the options list.

Exhaust: As is often the case, Style comes to Europe first, with U.S. sales set to follow during 2023. Those not quite tickled pink by the Ruby Red Neo paint scheme will be glad to hear that a wide range of colors will also be available. — Nik Berg

“Trailhunter” is Toyota’s love letter to overlanders

Intake: SEMA, otherwise known as fall’s biggest aftermarket-kit party, is popping off, and the automakers are in on the fun. Toyota debuted the Trailhunter Concept, a Tundra-based rig upfitted with popular mods for the off-the-grid exploration community. The accessories—a bed rack, rooftop tent, meaty bumpers, and more—are sourced directly through Toyota’s new Associated Accessory Products line, a catalog of third-party pieces that Toyota offers for a more streamlined customization experience right from the get-go. Notable partners include ARB, Yakima, Rigid Industries, and more. The Trailhunter concept is riding a bit higher than a stock Tundra, likely courtesy of a 3-inch lift-kit that the automaker announced late last month.

Toyota says that the Trailhunter name—think about it as a sub-brand, like Ford’s Tremor/Timberline models or Chevy’s ZR2 models— will distinguish an entire line of trucks and SUVs. We’d expect the Tacoma, the 4Runner, and perhaps the new Sequoia to also get the Trailhunter treatment in the future. Trailhunter vehicles will be developed in-house by the Toyota engineering teams to provide factory-backed overlanding rigs that still meet OEM expectations.

Exhaust: Someday, Harvard Business School is going to have a case study on the automakers aggressive efforts to capitalize on the overlanding craze. SEMA has long been The Place to reveal overlanding rigs realized to their full (and heinously expensive) potential, and it’s no longer a customer-only affair. This Trailhunter looks legit, though off-roaders on a budget (your author included) are most excited to cherry-pick from the catalog, once published. — Nathan Petroelje

Lamborghini lights up the silver screen

Intake: Shunned by Enzo Ferrari and spurred on to create his own legend, Ferruccio Lamborghini is the subject of a new biopic which opens in theaters on November 18. Scripted and directed by Academy Award-winning Bobby Moresco (Crash), and starring Frank Grillo as Lamborghini and Gabriel Byrne as Ferrari, the movie tells the story of their rivalry and Lamborghini’s incredible drive. “I want the world to never forget my name,” he says. Enjoy the trailer and book your tickets now.

Exhaust: We’re in for a bumper few months of motor movies. Following Lamborghini in 2023 will be Michael Mann’s Ferrari, with Adam Driver and Patrick Dempsey, while Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film is also in the early stages of production. See you at the drive-in! —NB

Check out the Hagerty Media homepage so you don’t miss a single story, or better yet, bookmark it.

Read next Up next: Why you should have goals, not dreams
Your daily pit stop for automotive news.

Sign up to receive our Daily Driver newsletter

Subject to Hagerty's Privacy Policy and Terms of Conditions

Thanks for signing up.

Comments

    Bobby Moresco was the writer for the Paul Haggis 2004 movie Crash. Not to be confused with the 1996 movie Crash directed by David Cronenberg based on the J. G. Ballard book of the same name.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *