The Chrysler Airflow Concept: Chrysler's EV Future

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NWbyNW

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2022 (Edited)

The Chrysler Airflow Concept

Chrysler has fully revealed the Chrysler Airflow Concept in a way they hadn't prior. Now complete with a full press release. The Chrysler Airflow concept portends the destiny of Stellantis’ premium American brand, which will introduce its first battery-electric vehicle in 2025 before going all-EV by 2028. You read that right, "America's Premium Brand." Chrysler is aiming up again. The Airflow previews Chrysler’s future of EV propulsion and Level 3 driver assistance.

Chrysler says the Airflow concept’s silent propulsion has a low environmental impact that supposedly inspired designers to take a similar approach to styling. The result is a graceful, aerodynamic vehicle that’s a big departure from the blocky 300 that rocked the world in 2005, and more reminiscent of the soft, smooth lines of the beautiful Chrysler 200 redesign of 2015. The long wheelbase and wide track emphasizes passenger space, with 22-inch wheels giving the Airflow a firm, planted stance. Thanks to a low center of gravity and that wheels-at-the-corners layout, Chrysler says the Airflow will offer excellent handling and performance.

The new Airflow has an exhaustive suite of connectivity features, which will allow the car’s occupants to control other aspects of their lives like home security, shopping, and even video conference calls, etc, right from the car’s cabin. Granted, most of that stuff people will never do. But you based on recent products from Jeep, watching Youtube and Fire TV should be a given for passengers.

Chrysler’s move towards electrification is based on a new company EV platform. The Airflow concept comes with Stellantis’ new battery-specific architecture called STLA. This model is likely based on the STLA Medium platform for midsized cars and crossovers. But what about range you ask? Chrysler expects a theoretical range of between 350 and 400 miles which is easy to make up since it hasn't been tested yet. Maybe we can pretend it gets 800 miles? Joking aside, the Airflow gets all-wheel drive thanks to two 150-kilowatt (201-horsepower) electric drive modules (EDMs) that combine the engine, geartrain, and inverter into a single package. An all-in-one if you will. The Airflow likely has about 400hp between the two EDMs, but you really can't combine the HP for each EDM to get a final output. That isn't how it works.

Another good thing is that Chrysler also says the platform is capable of accepting larger, more powerful power units, making the prospect of higher-performance vehicles a spark of glimmer in the eye of speed fans. Stellantis also announced in July 2021 that all of its future power modules would at least be 400-volt compatible, and that the flagship EDM features 800-volt architecture. As the standard-bearer for Chysler’s electrification plans, it’s likely the Airflow features that technology. Most likely, the Chrysler Airflow can receive over-the-air updates to keep its user interface and technology current for longer than other vehicles on the road today. With the average age of cars people drive older than ever today, this will be much appreciated.

The Chrysler Airflow concept has STLA AutoDrive technology (a shared technology with BMW), a Level 3 driver-assistance suite that can remove the driver from the equation in specific circumstances like freeway or limited-access highway driving. More advanced than other systems currently on sale in the US, Level 3 autonomy allows the driver to take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel, freeing them up to do things they probably shouldn't... heck they can eat a sandwich as the car drivers, or shave, brush their teeth.

Inside, the front and rear seats feature pedestal-style mounts that improve toe room and, as well as a full glass roof. A floating center console separates the front seats, with plenty of storage underneath the bridge for purses and backpacks. You thought floating roofs were bad in design? Now we got floating center stacks, though in this application it is much appreciated. In the back, a low-profile armrest appears between the individual bucket seats. A rear bench will likely appear on the production car. A sliding cargo floor eases loading as well.

Chrysler will become the headliner for parent company Stellantis’ EV aspirations in the United States, ending any rumors of the company being on the chopping block. The Airflow concept, which appears practically production-ready thanks to feasible lighting, mirror, and bumper designs, will likely be the first new product from Chrysler in about a decade when it goes on sale by 2025. Just three years later, the entire Chrysler portfolio will be all-electric, well before Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Audi and Volvo... which is easy when your lineup is currently 3 cars and soon to be different. It will be exciting to see what other news we will get about Chrysler's future as well as other products from Dodge, Ram, and Jeep.

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David S

· #18 · Jan 5, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

jorisr said:
Detroit News Interview with Chrysler CEO

Interesting interview about Chrysler´s future.
An interesting quote from the article:
"Chrysler also will look to "redefine" the current segments in which it plays, she said. The brand sees a market for electrified large sedans and will have an offering to replace the 300. Chrysler also will look to uphold its heritage in pioneering the minivan almost 40 years ago — that innovation is inspiration for Chrysler's next chapter."

But Dodge pioneered the Minivan, not Chrysler. Car-a-van. So that is her target, the soccer mom division. Quite disappointing.

"The Chrysler brand will abandon gas-powered vehicles for a bigger, all-electric lineup with SUVs by 2028 in its attempt to stave off demise at the end of the decade." Can we say the sky is falling now?

"its first look at a new vision designed with millennial female customers in mind."

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David S

· #19 · Jan 5, 2022 (Edited)

fred schumacher said:
Glass roofs are a bad idea. What is needed is better thermal insulation for BEVs to reduce parasitic battery loads for cooling and heating. Rubber band tires are also a bad idea considering the poor quality of many of America's roads. A tire engineer once told me there is no benefit to be gained by going to a lower aspect ratio than 65. As to some hybrid form, why hasn't the industry looked at serial hybrids with a small, and I mean small, get home genset, with power sufficient to operate the vehicle at 100km/62mph on a flat road. My 2003 Neon only needed 12 hp. to travel at that speed. Since a genset operates at single speed, it can be more efficient than the usual ICE.

50s provide better handling. There is no benefit in going below 50. 55 for 205 or narrower. We have known this since the '80s. It was 50 series tires that allowed production cars like the Shelby Charger to hit 1G in cornering with minor modifications. They need to get away from the rubber band 45 and 35 tires.

Agreed glass roofs are a bad idea. Too much glass. Dark tinted T tops over driver and passenger would be nice though.

Just use the 1.3T for the hybrid. It is perfect for every size vehicle, just keep adding more powerful electric motors.

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David S

· #21 · Jan 5, 2022

MoparJoe said:
Just loose the round knob on the console please. That is out of place.

Just lose the show car interior. Flat steering wheel on top for what purpose? It's an SUV, it doesn't need to be flat on the bottom either. Integrate the screen into the dash, don't have an oversized tablet floating in the air. White knob on a white surface with a gap to catch dirt. Air gap where the lumbar support belongs. Giant one piece roof. Fantasy land show car stuff. Lose the show car low profile tires on the outside. And put a Chrysler grill on the thing.

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David S

· #25 · Jan 5, 2022

Dave Z said:
They did look at serial hybrids.There were reasons discussed on allpar for not doing it.

They need something bigger. The 1.3T would be fine. It has to be able to accelerate the vehicle, a little generator is too small.

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David S

· #27 · Jan 5, 2022

serpens said:
I'm pleased with Christine and Stellantis' vision for Chrysler. Sad I have to wait until 2025 but at least we know the future plans are ambitious.

If that is her vision for Chrysler, then bring on the Dodge plans. They had better have a full lineup.

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David S

· #28 · Jan 5, 2022

codypet said:
The first minivan to roll off the line was the Plymouth Voyager which lives on as the Chrysler Voyager.

Yeah I read her interview. Chrysler is the upscale Plymouth, the soccer mom division.

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David S

· #31 · Jan 5, 2022

jorisr said:
Detroit News Interview with Chrysler CEO

Interesting interview about Chrysler´s future.
An interesting quote from the article:
"Chrysler also will look to "redefine" the current segments in which it plays, she said. The brand sees a market for electrified large sedans and will have an offering to replace the 300. Chrysler also will look to uphold its heritage in pioneering the minivan almost 40 years ago — that innovation is inspiration for Chrysler's next chapter."

"Although Stellantis already offers electric crossovers in Europe, they are mostly compact vehicles that aren't popular with American buyers and have platforms designed for internal combustion engine vehicles that are converted to electric."

Compact SUV sales last year: 3.438.835 Yes, that's a million more than pickups.
Compact cars last year: 1.166.101 Platform sharing with above SUVs.

Hybrids are are also more popular than BEVs.

Pretty out of touch with American buyers.

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David S

· #33 · Jan 5, 2022 (Edited)

serpens said:
You're obviously being so reductive on purpose, but that really isn't what I took from the interview. The minivan is going to stay firmly within the Chrysler brand yes, but I also like the commitment to the sedan market and broadening Chrysler's reach to other segments of crossover-ish vehicles. Truly I see Chrysler being the athleisure brand- premium, dominated by a feminine focus, and versatile enough to attract moms, DINKs, and upwardly mobile single people that meet with friends often as well. Their products should look and feel athletic without actually being sporty. I think there's a market there. Lexus' FWD offerings are a class above but not altogether different in concept outside of their obsession with sharp angles.

Yes, Lexus needs to be targeted from below, and lose the edges. You can't do that with an all BEV lineup. Lexus lives on the compact SUV and midsize car. The interview was anti compact and anti hybrid, which is exactly where they need to be. She is Tesla + BEV Minivans, minus the pickup.

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David S

· #36 · Jan 5, 2022

serpens said:
That's not entirely true. The RX sells almost double of what the NX does and the UX doesn't add much in volume either, less than the GX in fact.

Yes, you are right I should have said FWD based. UX isn't a real SUV, it is an ugly hatchback, how not to do a subcompact CUV.

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David S

· #59 · Jan 6, 2022

jorisr said:
The sentence you quote was clearly something added by the writer and not a statement of the Chrysler CEO.

It is the writer´s way of framing Stellantis as a company that does not currently have competitive BEV´s and lags behind.
If you listen to the questions Tavares has had to answer over and over, one of those is about the lack of BEV´s at Stellantis.
Stellantis is categorically mentioned as being far behind Ford and GM in electrification in the US media.
Carlos´s always answers with the fact that Stellantis offers a lot of BEV´s right now.

Ford actually sells 1 (Mustang Mach-E) and has presented an electric Transit Van and the F-150 Lightning.
GM sells 2 versions of the Bolt EV and has presented for 2022/2023 the GMC Hummer Pick-up and SUV, the Silverado and Sierra EV´s and the Cadillac Lyriq.
So Ford and GM together by 2023 will offer at least 10 BEV´s.

Right now Stellantis offers:
Fiat 500
Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer/Citroen Jumper/Opel Movano/
Peugeot e-208
Peugeot e-2008
Peugeot Expert/Citroen Jumpy/Opel Vivaro/Fiat Scudo
Citroën Ami/Opel Rocks-e
Citroën ë-C4
Citroën Berlingo/Peugeot Partner/Opel Combo
Opel Corsa-e
Opel Mokka-e
DS 3 Crossback E-tense

That is 10 BEV´s in customers hands in 2021. (The Ami/Rocks-e is not a real car however)

We know about at least the following BEV models coming to market in the 2022/2023 period:
Maserati MC20
Maserati Grecale
Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati GranCabrio
Alfa Romeo B-UV
Jeep B-UV
RAM Promaster
Tavares mentioned a total of 8 new BEV coming in the next 18-24 months so i´m missing at least a couple.
That brings us to a total of at least 16 BEV´s for Stellantis on the market in 2023 vs at least 10 BEV´s for GM and Ford combined.
We know we will not see Ford and GM competition for the Fiat 500 or Peugeot e-208 but we will be able to compare the electric Promaster with the E-Transit and the Maserati Grecale with the Cadillac Lyriq as they will be comparable vehicles. We will have an idea how far behind Stellantis will be before the vehicles on the new STLA platforms will come to market from 2023 onwards.
For the european market i am especially interested in how the vehicles on the upcoming STLA Medium will stack up to the vehicles Ford will develop for Europe based on the MEB platform they will be buying from Volkswagen. Ford has chosen not to develop an electric platform for specific European vehicles but instead Volkswagen will be supplying it´s MEB platform to Ford. The interesting thing is the MEB platform was rushed to market by VW in 2019 to lessen the fines from the EU. The platform so far has proven to be dissapointing in comparison to for instance the new Hyundai/Kia Platform. VW has shown in it´s latest plans that it plans to switch to a new platform (SSP) from 2024 onwards. It´s nice to know for VW that at least Ford will be enjoying the MEB Platform going forward.

Next to these BEV´s, Stellantis will have at least the following PHEV´s on the market in 2022:
Opel Astra
Opel Astra Tourer
Opel Grandland
Peugeot 308
Peugeot 308 SW
Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 508
Peugeot 508 SW
Citroën C5 X
Citroën C5 Aircross
DS 4
DS 7 Crossback
DS 9
Jeep Renegade 4XE
Jeep Compass 4XE
Jeep Wrangler 4XE
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE
Chrysler Pacifica
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Dodge "Hornet"

That is 20 PHEV´s on the market for Stellantis next year (Hornet will be end of 2022 so could take to early 2023 to be in customer´s hands).
GM will have 0 PHEV´s on the market because they will go straight to BEV´s.
Ford, usually quick to present future vehicles, has for 2022 only the Ford Escape PHEV and 2 Lincoln´s (Aviator and Corsair) PHEV´s on offer in the US. In Europe they add the Ford Explorer PHEV and the Ford Transit Custom PHEV.
So in 2022 Ford and GM combined will have 5 PHEV´s on the market (3 in the US and 3 in Europe).
Stellantis in 2022 is lagging far behind them with 20 PHEV´s on the market (5 or 6 in the US and 18 in Europe)

That's 0 BEVs offered in the US now, 1 PHEV, a minivan. That's what's wrong, no product in the US.

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David S

· #62 · Jan 6, 2022

NWbyNW said:
I personally love the current Chrysler wings. It's sleek and modern. I hope they keep it and evolve it over time.

I did find it strange on the rear it reads "AIRFLOW" instead of having the Chrysler logo. But it actually looks good that way.

It reminds me of how easy it would make it to pop in a Fiat bar for other markets.

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