Chrysler, about to show 100 subsequent yr, used to make a wide range of fashions, however is now a model recognized largely for the Pacifica minivan. However immediately, the corporate is making an attempt to make a daring assertion about its future by introducing an idea automotive that’s as removed from a minivan as attainable.
The Chrysler Halcyon Idea is a shocking, high-tech roadster with an electrical motor and absolutely autonomous capabilities. And whereas the automaker has no instant plans to place it into manufacturing, the Halcyon goals to point out that the minivan firm does extra than simply sit round and take into consideration, effectively, minivans.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
“We would like Chrysler to be superior, for positive,” Christine Feuell, CEO of the Chrysler model, stated in a briefing final month. “However we wish to introduce superior expertise and experiences for actual life, and never simply as a science challenge.”
Chrysler has stated it solely plans to promote electrical autos till the top of 2028, and the Halcyon is supposed to function an illustration of how the corporate will implement future applied sciences. However it’s not a production-ready car, lacking many related specs resembling battery capability, vary, efficiency and extra. Consider it extra like a full automotive model of the cab demonstrator that Chrysler launched over a yr in the past at CES.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
The Halcyon combines a number of applied sciences being developed at Chrysler's dad or mum firm, Stellantis, together with the STLA Mind working system, STLA AutoDrive driver help and STLA SmartCockpit infotainment system. The Halcyon idea is designed to current all these merchandise collectively as a unified system.
The Halcyon is constructed on Stellantis' STLA Massive platform, which is one in every of 4 platforms launched throughout the automaker's EV Day 2021. (There's the STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Massive, and STLA Body.)
Going extraordinarily low to the bottom—Chrysler says it’s going to have nearly 4 inches of floor clearance—the idea additionally contains 4 outward-opening French doorways, or what Chrysler calls “crimson carpet type “. A butterfly-hinged cover on each side additionally offers extra room to get out and in of this ultra-low-riding idea.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Chrysler additionally makes use of loads of recycled supplies for the inside, together with the automaker's wing badges constructed from crushed and recycled music CDs. General, the corporate says 95 % of the inside is created from “sustainable” supplies.
In fact, synthetic intelligence performs a outstanding position on this idea, as do augmented actuality and car connectivity. These embrace AI voice assistants, predictive navigation and over-the-air software program updates. The Chrysler Halcyon is a automotive that may know you primarily based in your preferences and may preemptively make adjustments to issues just like the HVAC system once you get into the car.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
There are additionally loads of visible and audio options designed to make you are feeling extra comfy by making a zen setting. And when in full autonomous mode, the steering yoke and pedals fold to create a extra comfy seating association.
This idea is actually primarily based on the concept that at some point quickly we'll all be using within the absolutely driverless autos we personal – a principle that has been largely debunked by specialists. If and once we get self-driving autos, they’ll virtually actually be fleet-owned autos deployed for business companies like supply and robotaxis.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Nonetheless, Chrysler desires to make sure it's prepared for any autonomous future, so it's tricking out the Halcyon accordingly. The idea (and attainable future Chrysler autos) can be outfitted with self-driving options resembling “an adjustable glass cover and windshield that may be dimmed with the reclining seats for a singular augmented actuality stargazing expertise “. It sounds fantastic.
Within the briefing, Feuell acknowledged that Chrysler nonetheless has work to do earlier than it could possibly supply full autonomy to its clients. “Autonomous driving performance is clearly fairly mature at Degree 2 and Degree 2 plus,” she stated. “As we get to Ranges three and four, there's nonetheless just a little little bit of improvement work to be executed to be absolutely disabled, blindfolded and nonetheless meet the security necessities that we have to meet.”
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Different futuristic and unproven options embrace “Dynamic Wi-fi Energy Switch (DWPT) expertise to wirelessly recharge the car whereas on the transfer, enabling limitless vary.” The thought is that when you're driving on roads with inductive charging functionality—once more, one thing that may't be discovered wherever immediately—the Halcyon will cost itself. Chrysler says the idea can have an 800-volt lithium-sulfur battery, which it claims has a 60 % decrease carbon footprint than different EV batteries.
The Halcyon is a enjoyable science challenge, however the true check will are available 2025, when Chrysler expects to unveil its first electrical car. The corporate has already unveiled the Airflow SUV, which is an virtually production-ready prototype that may possible function the premise for the upcoming EV.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
The corporate discontinued the Chrysler 300 sedan final yr, leaving the Pacifica and Pacifica hybrid as the one remaining fashions. It offered round 133,000 minivans final yr, making it amongst Stellantis' worst-performing manufacturers. Whether or not that's sufficient income to start out the costly means of growing a spread of all-electric autos stays to be seen. However Feuell stated the corporate is effectively positioned to realize its objectives.
“Look, I'd at all times prefer to have extra and quicker,” she stated. “We’ve got considerably improved the profitability of the model over the previous two years. And that helps fund the brand new product improvement you'll see sooner or later.”