Chrysler LLC has pulled a fast one here folks. They've just announced that they will enter the electric car race with three new EVs. And it appears they may be the first to the starting line.
Dodge EV
Quite likely the coolest of the bunch, as this all-electric sports car is based on a Lotus chassis. Yep, you read that right. In doing so Chrysler announced a new partnership with Lotus. The 200-kilowater motor produces 268 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, shooting the lightweight sports car from zero to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. Chrysler claims its top speed is 120 mph plus. Equipped with an advanced lithium-ion battery, its range is 150-200 miles.
Chrysler Town & Country EV and Jeep Wrangler EV
Both of these are an extended-range electric vehicles.
All of the vehicles are being developed by a relatively new group at Chrysler known as ENVI (for environmental), an in-house organization charged with advancing electric drive and related advanced propulsion technologies. Chrysler has just launched a new Web site here promoting them.
One of these three will go into production in 2010. As to which one that will be? Chrysler is not saying just yet. In any event, it looks like the Tesla sports car and the Chevy Volt will have some competition, either directly or indirectly. Even if they don't compete head-to-head, they certainly will compete for headlines.
Here's Inside Line's take: Chrysler Powers Up Its Product Line With New Electric Cars
Here's AutoObserver's take: Chrysler To Go Electric Across the Line
adb4 says:
11:46 AM, 09/23/08
The Dodge EV is 'based on a Lotus chassis'? Uh, no. The Dodge EV is a Lotus Europa with go-fast stripes and an electric powertrain; at least Tesla spent some money to restyle the Lotus Elise.
orangutan says:
12:33 PM, 09/23/08
Assuming Chrysler survives long enough to "produce" one of them.
albook says:
01:31 PM, 09/23/08
What the?! where did this come from? The game just heated up for GM, and-shockingly-Toyota. Chrysler might still have some fight in them.
hondacura4 says:
02:35 PM, 09/23/08
Wouldnt it be more logical for Chrysler to invest this technology in a smaller car (compact) as it would be more desirable to a broader audience than the 3 vehicles in the pictures? The Jeep and Lotus are certainly niche vehicles although the EV minivan is a great idea. I dont get it.
orangutan says:
04:11 PM, 09/23/08
It's a public relations ploy to make it seem like Chrysler is actually doing something and being competitive instead of producing some of the worst vehicles on American roads.
jaguar8 says:
08:09 PM, 09/23/08
YEAAAA....its much cheaper to re-badge and retro-fit than it is to design a whole NEW car...thats cost cutting...but at least Chrysler is showing some effort...
firstwagon says:
08:09 PM, 09/23/08
It's not hard to make an electric car. So far the biggest hurdle has been getting reason range out of the the tiny amount of power stored in the batteries. As better batteries come along, everyone will have an electric car on the market.
I see no reason to doubt these products anymore then the Tesla or the Volt.
heeltoe says:
10:21 PM, 09/23/08
As soon as it can go 400+ miles on a charge, I want one.
And orangutan, buying cars is a crapshoot, sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you dont. My Dodge has been the most reliable vehicle I have owned.
redliner says:
10:02 AM, 09/24/08
jaguar8 raises a good point...
Does that mean that chrysler's EVs are going to be thousands cheaper than the competition? Sounds good to me.
ateixeira says:
08:44 AM, 09/25/08
I like that first one, they Viper-ized the Elise. It looks beefy, though.
Tesla probably has 3 distribution channels, Dodge has hundreds. This partnership makes total sense.
PikachuRacer says:
02:46 PM, 12/26/08
I like the idea that Chrysler has jumped on the electric bandwagon. First it was the series of low-speed GEM city-cars, and now a series of more potent Electric cars out of Chrysler. They are cost-efficient alternatives to the modern high-speed electric car, and looks like the cars you know from Chrysler (except Dodge EV). But I an sure they will still be quite expensive compared to the gas counterparts.
Dodge EV: Part Lotus Elise, part Dodge Viper, all electric. Body is all Lotus, however Dodge gave it Viper-looking headlights, taillights, and racing stripes and then jammed a powerful electric motor in it. Looks great and sporty, but I think this will cost around $90,000 or more (still it cheaper compared to a Tesla Roadster, possibly the Dodge EV's closest rival).
Chrysler EV: Looks absolutely familiar to the family-ready Chrysler Town & Country. Because it is a Chrysler Town & Country, fused with a combination of a potent electric motor and a small gasoline engine for reserve power to the electric motor. Very cost efficient of Chrysler to do that, but still I think it will have a $50,000 price tag. No matter what, it's a smarter way to drive your kids to school or soccer practice due to saving money at the pump.
Jeep EV: The Off-road Extended-electric SUV based on the Wrangler Unlimited. Traditional Jeep 4WD with a more environmentally-friendly twist. Has all the same power attributes as the Chrysler EV (Powerful electric motor w/ Gas reserve motor), yet is the most "trail-ready" version of the Chrysler Corporations new electric car concepts. I am guessing it will cost around $35,000 to get this one-of-a-kind 4x4 SUV.
PikachuRacer says:
02:47 PM, 12/26/08
I like the idea that Chrysler has jumped on the electric bandwagon. First it was the series of low-speed GEM city-cars, and now a series of more potent Electric cars out of Chrysler. They are cost-efficient alternatives to the modern high-speed electric car, and looks like the cars you know from Chrysler (except Dodge EV). But I an sure they will still be quite expensive compared to the gas counterparts.
Dodge EV: Part Lotus Elise, part Dodge Viper, all electric. Body is all Lotus, however Dodge gave it Viper-looking headlights, taillights, and racing stripes and then jammed a powerful electric motor in it. Looks great and sporty, but I think this will cost around $90,000 or more (still it cheaper compared to a Tesla Roadster, possibly the Dodge EV's closest rival).
Chrysler EV: Looks absolutely familiar to the family-ready Chrysler Town & Country. Because it is a Chrysler Town & Country, fused with a combination of a potent electric motor and a small gasoline engine for reserve power to the electric motor. Very cost efficient of Chrysler to do that, but still I think it will have a $50,000 price tag. No matter what, it's a smarter way to drive your kids to school or soccer practice due to saving money at the pump.
Jeep EV: The Off-road Extended-electric SUV based on the Wrangler Unlimited. Traditional Jeep 4WD with a more environmentally-friendly twist. Has all the same power attributes as the Chrysler EV (Powerful electric motor w/ Gas reserve motor), yet is the most "trail-ready" version of the Chrysler Corporations new electric car concepts. I am guessing it will cost around $45,000 to get this one-of-a-kind 4x4 SUV.
PikachuRacer says:
02:55 PM, 12/26/08
The first one of mine was an accident, my little brother messed with my predictions of the Jeep EV when I was out of my room for a few seconds, and then submitted it just when I busted him for doing it.
Just another one of his mischievous tricks to make me correct. Sorry.