Detroit Auto Show: Chrysler Debuts PHEV Concept With 40-Mile All-Electric Range
Chrysler held the spotlight at the Detroit Auto Show for more than a solid half an hour Sunday with the unveiling of its 200C EV plug-in hybrid electric concept vehicle.
The "performance sedan" is capable of traveling up to 40 miles on battery-only power, company spokesmen said, producing zero tailpipe emissions in the process.
After that distance, an onboard gasoline generator fires up and supplies electricity to the battery, extending the fuel-efficient vehicle's driving range to 400 miles between charges and refills. An electric motor provides all of the vehicle's propulsion.
Frank Klegon, the company's executive vice president of product development, as well as other Chrysler executives and spokespeople, did not go into detail describing the concept's powertrain. Instead, they focused on the vehicle's lovely design.
Given that General Motors doesn't expect to profit from the similarly propelled Chevrolet Volt for at a couple of years after launch, and given Chrysler's worse financial shape, we'd be a little surprised if the 200C EV makes it to market, but we hope it does.
As is often the case with concepts, no price, estimated mileage or launch date was provided.
- Posted by
- Scott Doggett January 12, 2009, 2:42 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Emissions, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Hybrid, Plug-ins and Electric
- Technorati Tags:
- 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler 200C EV, PHEV, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
The exterior is quite good. Would it survive the execution to production, or will it get some obligatory uglification?
If only they made the Sebring look like this. Yes, it'd still be a lousy car, but it would be a good looking lousy car. I think that counts for something.