NAIAS: Chrysler reveals 200C electric vehicle concept
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premiere of four production-vehicle-based electric cars and trucks at the
Detroit auto show, adding a surprise electric show car dubbed the 200C EV.
Chrysler co-President Jim Press said the 200C and other electric vehicles
show "there's evidence here of ongoing investment in the future."
The stylish concept car features the same range-extending electric drive
system deployed in several other production-intent Chrysler EVs revealed at
the Detroit show, including the Town & Country EV minivan, Jeep Wrangler
Unlimited EV and Jeep Patriot EV.
Chrysler also unveiled the all-electric plug-in Dodge Circuit EV, a Lotus
Exige-based electric concept with an estimated range of 150-200 miles. The
latest iteration now has its Dodge cross-hair grille and other Dodge styling
elements fully in place. Versions of the Town & Country, Circuit and
Wrangler Unlimited were shown publicly last summer, but the Patriot is an
all-new entry to the portfolio of models developed by ENVI, Chrysler's
environmentally friendly car engineering arm that draws its name from the
first four letters of "environment."
Chrysler has said it plans to put at least one of the electric vehicles into
production in 2010; the company now promises at least three more EV models
will follow by 2013.
"Chrysler's broad portfolio of electric vehicle prototypes clearly
demonstrates that we are well on our way to bringing electric vehicles to
our consumers' garages," said Frank Klegon, Chrysler executive vice
president for product development.
Between its ENVI electric-drive vehicles and GEM neighborhood electric
vehicles, Chrysler wants to put 500,000 of its electric vehicles on the road
by 2013.
Although the 200C EV Concept is furthest from production, the rear-drive,
four-seat sedan capable of 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds flat is the most advanced
expression of ENVI's efforts to date. Chrysler says the concept provides a
clear view of what we'll see in a next-generation Chrysler performance
sedan.
Based on a shortened version of the rear-drive Chrysler 300C full-sized
sedan, the mid-sized 200C EV is a performance sedan that blends the style,
performance and amenities sought by car enthusiasts and environmentally
conscious consumers alike.
"The Chrysler 200C EV embodies our passion for problem solving by combining
the best of engineering and automotive design," said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler
vice president of design. "With the 200C EV, we were able to maximize the
effectiveness of the ENVI powertrain with the stunning, wind-cheating
vehicle shape, while pushing toward the future with the avant-garde interior
and advanced in-vehicle connectivity."
Chrysler said the 200C EV's exterior styling focuses on efficiency while
coupling Chrysler's design roots with the larger proportions of the Chrysler
300 to create a modern product.
The highly sculptured interior is free of switches and levers, with all
vehicle functions and features managed via a panoramic multimedia touch
screen, a passenger-dedicated portion of the screen dubbed "techno-leaf,"
and a stowable tablet PC.
Chrysler says that like its extended-range ENVI siblings, the 200C EV is
capable of driving up to 40 miles on battery-only power, while a small
gasoline engine and on-board electric generator produce electricity to
extend the driving range to 400 miles.
Other ENVI vehicles revealed by Chrysler include:
. Jeep Patriot EV, which combines ENVI's Range-extended Electric Vehicle
drive system with a compact front-drive sport-utility vehicle.
. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV uses a range-extending electric powertrain in
an off-roader. Though only a 4x2 drivetrain as shown in Detroit, a 4x4
version is in development.
. Chrysler Town & Country EV, incorporating the same powertrain into its
utilitarian front-drive seven-passenger minivan.
Brad Wernle contributed to this report