Chrysler offers peek at electric concepts to debut at auto show

• November
• 26

3:54 am Latest News, Vehicles

Aiming to improve its environmental and technology image, Chrysler LLC today gave journalists a glimpse at sketches and specs for three electrically powered concept vehicles to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

The concepts boost three different forms of electric powertrains based around lithium-ion batteries.

The Dodge ZEO concept is an electric-only, plug-in vehicle. The Chrysler ecoVoyager is a fuel cell-hybrid, with the fuel cell extending the range of the electric powertrain. And the Jeep Renegade concept uses a small diesel engine to extend the range.

All three vehicles are intended to travel at least 40 miles in electric-only, zero-emissions mode.

In a video, Trevor Creed, senior vice president for design, extolled the virtues of each of the concepts:

• The four-door, four-passenger ecoVoyager will give passengers the feeling of riding in a private jet. The vehicle will have a total range of more than 300 miles and its only emission is water vapor, he said.

• The ZEO was called “a muscle car for the 21st century.” Powered by a 200-kilowatt electric motor, the vehicle can go 0-60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The electric-only 2+2 sport wagon will have a range of 250 miles.

• The Renegade is a subcompact two-seater with 4-by-4 capabilities. The combination of a diesel engine and electric propulsion allows for fuel economy of 110 miles per gallon.