Chrysler has revealed the Airflow concept car, reviving a name first worn on a revolutionary model and applying it to a new vehicle that previews the automaker's first electric vehicle. An EV with an estimated 644 km of range and an all-new platform, the concept seems more about software than hardware.
"The Chrysler Airflow Concept represents the future direction of the Chrysler brand, providing a peek at the dynamic design, advanced technologies and seamless connectivity that will characterize the full-electric portfolio we plan to reach by 2028," said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO.
Chrysler says that it will have its first EV on the road in 2025, then offer a fully electric lineup by 2028. With just two models currently, the 300 and the Pacifica, it's less of a stretch than for some competitors.
The Airflow concept has a sleek shape, if a little conservative for a company better known for packing supercharged V8s and a ton of aggression into sedans and SUVs, but it's what's under the skin that Stellantis design boss Ralph Gilles highlights about the Airflow.
"It is the result of a thoughtful synthesis of the full arsenal of Stellantis’ connected vehicle technology – inside and out,” the exec said.
That starts with what the brand calls the STLA Brain and STLA SmartCockpit. This is a new flexible system architecture that Stellantis says reduces costs and allows for quicker and easier feature updates over the air, including major software changes without the need for new hardware.
The idea in the Airflow concept's implementation, Chrysler says, is a unique experience for each passenger that connects them to fellow passengers as well as the rest of their digital lives. Passengers can share info across screens as well as personalize their part of the EV, and Chrysler says it will also allow AI-based apps like navigation and e-commerce and payment services.
The Airflow Concept has two 150-kW electric motors, or 402 hp, with one in the front and one in the rear. Chrysler says it has room for larger motors, meaning higher-performance potential in the future. The battery is designed to offer a range of between 563 and 644 km on a charge, with STLA AutoDrvie L3 autonomous driving helping shrink the distance between charges. Chrysler didn't delve into any plans for production, but it seems likely that this is close to what we'll see on the road in three years.
