http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/01/chrysler-minivans-future.html

Now that we have seen the new 2015 Chrysler 200, I think we can predict what will make it to production at least in the interior from the 700C Concept. Seats are the same kinda design from the Dart, Cherokee, and 200. Even though the 700C debuted quietly in Detroit in 2012, it has the same steering wheel design as the new 200 Sedan, minus the actual buttons. It does feature paddle shifters on the back of the wheel. It features the chrome between the two colors on the steering wheel, similar to the design on the 200C Sedan. I suspect the windows will be layout more like the minivans of the past. But the according to the patient drawing of the new vans it will keep the quarter windows up front. I suspect the center stack to be laid out differently to be able to adapt the 8.4" UConnect in the dash. The e-shifter is located in the center of the dash as is the e-parking brake.

Cars.com has some great pictures of the interior. Besides the screens in the back of the front seats, if you look at the buttons in the rear to slide the sliding doors there are air vents there in the B-pillar. I think the interior will make it pretty darn close to production. The front does have the new Chrysler design language front, but I think it will be given a lower fascia similar to the front to the 200 Sedan. As for the rear, I think it will be less Delta-ish.

 

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/01/chrysler-minivans-future.html



Now that we have seen the new 2015 Chrysler 200, I think we can predict what will make it to production at least in the interior from the 700C Concept. Seats are the same kinda design from the Dart, Cherokee, and 200. Even though the 700C debuted quietly in Detroit in 2012, it has the same steering wheel design as the new 200 Sedan, minus the actual buttons. It does feature paddle shifters on the back of the wheel. It features the chrome between the two colors on the steering wheel, similar to the design on the 200C Sedan. I suspect the windows will be layout more like the minivans of the past. But the according to the patient drawing of the new vans it will keep the quarter windows up front. I suspect the center stack to be laid out differently to be able to adapt the 8.4" UConnect in the dash. The e-shifter is located in the center of the dash as is the e-parking brake.

Cars.com has some great pictures of the interior. Besides the screens in the back of the front seats, if you look at the buttons in the rear to slide the sliding doors there are air vents there in the B-pillar. I think the interior will make it pretty darn close to production. The front does have the new Chrysler design language front, but I think it will be given a lower fascia similar to the front to the 200 Sedan. As for the rear, I think it will be less Delta-ish.

I remember thinking that alot of this "concept" looks production-ish

I even remember saying that the middle seats look like a new Stow N Go system, and seeing these pictures again reminds me of that recent news article here about the Stow N Go seats patent - these look similar to the patent drawings.

The headlight switch/interior dimmer dials are right out of the current minivans.

It's funny to see an early version of The Knob(tm) and e-parking brake too.

I agree that the dash will probably be re-done to include the 8.4" radios and the current 7" TFT in the cluster. I LOVE the leather wrapped/stitched dash. Looks really good.

The climate controls are actually rather similar in idea to the new '15 200 climate controls too.

Good catch on the steering wheel. I suspect that the "buttons" on the front of the steering wheel are actually touch buttons in those dark areas. If that is true, I hope that does not make it to production.

I wouldn't be surprised if the lower (light coloured area) dash makes it to production. The cup holders and lower drawer look good and high quality, along with the glove box. The console between the seats looks good, but I think I like the layout of the current Super Console better. And I really hope they keep an option for a removable console, like the Premium Console.

I wouldn't be surprised to see most of the rear area of this van as fairly production-ready too. I really like the b-pillar air vents, and larger pockets in the sliding doors. Looks like the A/V inputs finally have covers on them, directly below the rear screens. And it looks like a nice big rear sunroof too!

The front headlights/grille area are close to what I suspect will be production too. Will be interesting to see how 200-ish the front end is when it debuted.

The only concern I have is the slope of the rear roof. Looks like it takes away alot of headroom and cargo space. Also, I'm not sure if it's just the big wheels & tires or if the van is smaller than the current vans, but I hope that they retain their current size, and do not shrink.

I'm going to have to go back to the pictures i took at NAIAS and see if I can see anything else now!

 

A plug in hybrid would be great and and its easier to make extra weight not so apparent in a minivan. I think it could be sold as a commuter vehicle and a mommy wagon if it can mean real fuel savings over non hybrid passenger cars. Don't know about others but helping with the grand kids is a 60 mile round trip deal and puts a dent in a fixed income budget.

Actually it makes more seance to keep the not so fuel efficient paid for vehicle than taking on more debt as a lot of youngsters will find out.

 

Yeah, this is all great and everything, but I got a second child coming in 3 months and I need these things on the road now so that I can buy one used.

 

Yeah, this is all great and everything, but I got a second child coming in 3 months and I need these things on the road now so that I can buy one used.

Problem solved just get first child to jump out and push at low speeds and bam! instant hybrid :lol:

 

Yeah, this is all great and everything, but I got a second child coming in 3 months and I need these things on the road now so that I can buy one used.

Hybrids keep their value, if you can buy one used. Hard to do around here. Anyhow I would rather have one than a diesel for the low cost of operation.

 

Not counting the hydraulic hybrid project and the battery electrics, there are three different hybrid systems which have been found in Chrysler minivans. There might have been more, these are what is known publicly.

1. The GM/Allison based parallel system with Electrovaya batteries. There are a number of these PHEV vans undergoing trials around the country for a DOE project.

2. The ENVI team's extended range electric. It's a series hybrid system. It ran as an electric vehicle with a two cylinder range extender.

3. The mild hybrid Belt Starter Generator (BSG) system. While similar to the GM eAssist system, Chrysler's setup promises a more aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration.

Don't count the ENVI system out. Even though Sergio broke up the band, the tunes are still being played in Auburn Hills. The 500E is a kit car using a vender supplied drivetrain. Circumstantial evidence points out the range extended EV minivan was also.

 

Now that I'm retired I would like to start a mall same day delivery service for small businesses springing up in the area. Maybe Dodge could make a hybrid or full electric cargo van. I think that's the way to keep operating costs to a minimum. Right now there is no way for the little guy to get a foothold.

 

New or is a used vehicle an option? Search on here for " TEVan ".

Thanks Bob.

 

Is Chrysler still doing any work with hydraulic hybrids?

There is a ton of potential in that field... I did my senior (engineering) design project over that. Built a functioning protoype and everything.

The interesting thing was that I had an idea come to me one day and jotted it down. Then, I started researching it to see if anyone had done anything like it and what info was available. Turns out, I came up with the same idea the engineers at Chrysler did. Too bad they beat me to it!

 

Is Chrysler still doing any work with hydraulic hybrids?

Last heard from in 2011, it seems.

Eaton Co. dropped out and Parker Co. is apparently the last US company in the business.

 

Hmm, interesting - we used Eaton and Parker parts. (My mother works for one of their distributors.) Eaton had some heavy-duty vehicle applications on the market. Kinda surprising they dropped out.

I actually had a rep from Parker talking to me about it - it seems they may be doing more with that type of application in the future...

 

Hmm, interesting - we used Eaton and Parker parts. (My mother works for one of their distributors.) Eaton had some heavy-duty vehicle applications on the market. Kinda surprising they dropped out.

I actually had a rep from Parker talking to me about it - it seems they may be doing more with that type of application in the future...

I took a look at the Eaton site and they have some industrial equipment applications but the vehicular stuff is gone. Parker advertises garbage trucks.

A decade or so ago I thought this would be a hot technology. Ford was supposed to come out with a hydraulic hybrid pickup truck and UPS was experimenting with it and then...nada. I was looking forward to the technology working down to passenger cars.

 

The hydraulic hybrid project was changed from an EPA to a DOE project. Because the power to weight ratio of a minivan is vastly different than a refuse truck, Chrysler engineers found out in a hurry they simply couldn't shrink the system from a refuse truck for a minivan. Now they have to start from square one again. I believe the project is still ongoing.

 

The hydraulic hybrid project was changed from an EPA to a DOE project. Because the power to weight ratio of a minivan is vastly different than a refuse truck, Chrysler engineers found out in a hurry they simply couldn't shrink the system from a refuse truck for a minivan. Now they have to start from square one again. I believe the project is still ongoing.

That is an issue, but Chryslers system showed a lot of promise.

Despite a very, very limited budget, and several electronic-related and engine controller issues, our "car" (more like a powered big wheel) saw an increase in fuel economy of about 10%. (That's not a small amount.)

The heavy duty applications use a completely different set up - more like an electric-hybrid in that the motor powers the wheel directly, with no transmission. Chrysler's (and our) system maintained the transmission, allowing us to use smaller hydraulic components in between the engine and transmission. The big savings came from being able to store energy that would otherwise be wasted, and use it later on.

Glad it's to hear it's on-going, though, despite the setback. I feel hydraulic hybrids are far more viable and sustainable than electric hybrids - especially long-term.

 

My bad... The hydraulic hybrid program is now in the hands of Argonne National Laboratory.

I can't find the Chrysler PDF about their work on the hydraulic hybrid, it's disappeared. :ninja:

 

I wonder where the new minivan will be built if not in Windsor?

 

I have been thinking about this lately. I'm a bit behind the times here--more than a bit--but, why did the hybrid HEMI powertrain never get placed in other vehicles besides Aspen/Durango? Was anything from that system salvageable or usable for other applications? What about the two-mode hybrid Ram idea?

 

I think there are still some Hybrid Rams running around...

That being said, the gov't stepped in and did away with alot of the hybrid stuff. The two-mode Hemi system worked great, but it took a lot of space and added quite a bit of weight, so it wasn't practical for use in every vehicle. The benefit was also not as noticable in an already more fuel efficient car as it was in the big SUVs...

 

I have been thinking about this lately. I'm a bit behind the times here--more than a bit--but, why did the hybrid HEMI powertrain never get placed in other vehicles besides Aspen/Durango? Was anything from that system salvageable or usable for other applications? What about the two-mode hybrid Ram idea?

The two-mode hybrid system as used in the Aspen/ Durango is being tested nationwide by Chrysler and the Energy Dept. There were a number of Ram pickups built with Electovaya Lithium Ion batteries. They are setup as plug-in hybrids. There are also a smaller number of front drive Chrysler minivans undergoing tests. None were sold to the public, which is a good thing because all the Ram trucks were recalled for a battery replacement. Looking at the fuel economy of the gas and diesel V6 Ram trucks and the recall, the decision not to retail the Hybrid version was a good one.

Everything learned from this PHEV project will be beneficial. The testing isn't over yet.

 

The two-mode hybrid system as used in the Aspen/ Durango is being tested nationwide by Chrysler and the Energy Dept. There were a number of Ram pickups built with Electovaya Lithium Ion batteries. They are setup as plug-in hybrids. There are also a smaller number of front drive Chrysler minivans undergoing tests. None were sold to the public, which is a good thing because all the Ram trucks were recalled for a battery replacement. Looking at the fuel economy of the gas and diesel V6 Ram trucks and the recall, the decision not to retail the Hybrid version was a good one.

Everything learned from this PHEV project will be beneficial. The testing isn't over yet.

The United States Post Office has several (20 of them, I think), electric Chrysler Town & Country minivans from the ENVI program days.

For awhile everyday it seemed, I would see the Ram PHEVs around Metro Detroit. Chrysler was big into testing them, I never seen if they released any test results from them at all. But everything has been overshadowed by the buyout and formation of FCA, who knows...