Chrysler first put the Airflow concept car on display in 2022. The electric crossover, often with small changes, popped up so many times on the auto show circuit that most people thought a production version must be imminent.
Today, Chrysler restated that we would not be seeing that car. Instead, it released a new concept called the Halcyon.
"We are starting over," designer Irina Zavatski said of the Chrysler brand. "It's a good time for us to really explore... It's looking far into the future, but it, in a way, sets a language for the rest of the product."
The Chrysler Halcyon is a concept car at its most pure. A sleek look at a future of possibilities, it's a vehicle designed to make us forget that Chrysler of today sells just a single vehicle. Instead, it will inspire dreams of the company's EV set to arrive in 2025. It does that with an almost entirely glass cockpit complete with a windshield that drops low into the front bodywork. Its doors also open in conjunction with the roof and an out-of-this-world interior.
Of course, beyond the bodywork, the Halcyon concept is loaded with future tech possibilities. One of those is wireless power transfer. Chrysler has been investing in tech that could charge an EV on the move since 2022. It is in the process of validating and testing the tech, Chrysler said, which could allow near-infinite driving range. Chrysler is also testing lithium-sulfur batteries that are free of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and can charge to drive 320 km in around five minutes.
The Halcyon promises Level 4 autonomous driving where the car can handle nearly all driving situations. To help passengers make the most of it, the Halcyon has voice-activated controls to hide and restore the steering wheel. The dashboard is designed to work as a footrest, making it more comfortable for occupants on longer trips.
Chrysler wanted the cabin to be more relaxing and provide a more lounge-like experience. The extra front glass provides a better view of the road, but the car's glass roof also gives a better view of the scenery and the stars. It has a stargazing mode, where the seats recline, and an augmented reality display shows you information on the stars and constellations.
Other cool tech includes facial biometrics for locking and starting the vehicle, a next-generation Stow 'N Go seating system that lets the seats pull into the trunk for more cabin space, and personalized sounds and vibrations to help set the mood for passengers.
Although Chrysler boss Christine Feuell said, "I would love to put it into production as soon as I possibly can," she was clear that this is not what Chrysler's 2025 EV will look like. A production model will be a crossover, while this concept is a sedan. Instead, expect parts of the Halcyon's design to make it to the 2025 model, possibly some of the detailing, like the reflective Chrysler logo made from crushed compact discs.
Feuell said that we can expect more from Chrysler in the coming years. She said that the company had known as far back as 2012 that it would have a stretch where there would be only one product wearing the badge. But the new EV should arrive soon, followed by a refreshed Pacifica. From there, expect "some more new vehicles in quick succession."
