This view really makes it looks like the tire will bite into the departure angle. Personally, I don't know where else the spare could be placed. If you put it on the bumper, then you'd have to have a swing bar to get it out of the way (which is a PITA). Or perhaps the whole tailgate would open much like the SUV gate (which could be evidenced in the photo above) but I think that would be unlikely because it wouldn't allow for a bed extender because you'd have the tailgate flopping around. I don't assume from these photos though that the tire will stay there. It could go elsewhere I would imagine, and if it's in a novel spot, they wouldn't want to give that away.
I think it would be cool if the tire went on the tailgate, and the tailgate would pivot down and out, placing the tire into the space in the bumper, which would allow for a tailgate that could be left open and would be extended for support of plywood, drywall, etc.
