Chrysler, on the cusp of turning 100 subsequent yr, used to make a wide range of fashions however is now a model principally identified for its Pacifica minivans. However immediately, the corporate is making an attempt to make a daring assertion about its future by introducing an idea automotive that’s about as removed from a minivan as you may get.
The Chrysler Halcyon idea is a shocking, high-tech roadster with an electrical powertrain and totally autonomous capabilities. And whereas the automaker doesn’t have any speedy plans to place it into manufacturing, the Halcyon is meant to exhibit that the minivan firm is doing extra than simply sitting round and interested by, properly, minivans.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
“We would like Chrysler to be superior, for certain,” Christine Feuell, model CEO for Chrysler, mentioned in a briefing final month. “However we need to introduce expertise and superior experiences for actual life, and never simply as a science mission.”
Chrysler has mentioned it intends to solely promote electrical autos by the top of 2028, and the Halcyon is supposed to function an indication for the way the corporate will deploy future applied sciences. But it surely’s not a production-ready automobile, missing many related specs similar to battery capability, vary, efficiency, and extra. Consider it extra like a full automotive model of the cockpit demonstrator that Chrysler launched over a yr in the past at CES.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Halcyon combines a bunch of applied sciences underneath growth at Chrysler’s dad or mum firm, Stellantis, together with the STLA Mind working system, the STLA AutoDrive driver help, and the STLA SmartCockpit infotainment system. The Halcyon idea is designed to current all of these merchandise collectively as one unified system.
The Halcyon is constructed on Stellantis’ STLA Giant platform, which is without doubt one of the 4 platforms launched in the course of the automaker’s EV Day in 2021. (There’s STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Giant, and STLA Body.)
Driving extraordinarily low to the bottom — Chrysler says it should solely have round 4 inches of floor clearance — the idea additionally options 4 doorways that open outward, like French doorways, or as Chrysler calls it, “red-carpet type.” A butterfly-hinged cover on both facet additionally gives extra clearance for getting out and in of this extraordinarily low-riding idea.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Chrysler can also be utilizing numerous recycled supplies for the inside, together with the automaker’s wing logos constructed from crushed and recycled music CDs. General, the corporate says 95 % of the inside is created from “sustainable” supplies.
Naturally, synthetic intelligence performs a distinguished position on this idea, as does augmented actuality and automobile connectivity. That features 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 within the automobile.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
There are additionally loads of visible and audio options designed to make you are feeling extra comfy by making a zen-like atmosphere. And when it’s in full autonomous mode, the steering yoke and pedals fold away to create a extra comfy seating association.
This idea actually leans into the concept sometime quickly we’ll all be using round in totally driverless autos that we personal — a concept that has largely been debunked by consultants. If and after we do get self-driving autos, they’ll all however actually be fleet-owned autos deployed for business providers, 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 doable future Chrysler autos) will come geared up with self-driving options, similar to “a dimmable glass cover and windshield that may flip opaque with seats laid again for a singular augmented-reality Stargazing Mode.” Sounds pretty.
Within the briefing, Feuell acknowledged that Chrysler nonetheless has work to do earlier than it might probably supply full autonomy to its prospects. “The autonomous driving performance clearly is fairly mature at Stage 2 and Stage 2 plus,” she mentioned. “As we get into Stage 3 and 4, there’s nonetheless a little bit of growth work that’s wanted to be accomplished to be totally palms off, eyes off and nonetheless ship on the security necessities that we have to meet.”
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
Different futuristic and unproven options embody “Dynamic Wi-fi Energy Switch (DWPT) expertise to wirelessly recharge automobile because it travels, permitting for limitless vary.” The thought is that whereas driving down roadways with inductive charging functionality — once more, not one thing that may be discovered anyplace immediately — the Halcyon will cost itself. Chrysler says the idea can have an 800-volt lithium-sulfur battery, which it argues has an estimated 60 % decrease carbon footprint than different EV batteries.
The Halcyon is a enjoyable science mission, however the true check will are available 2025, when Chrysler expects to disclose it’s first electrical automobile. The corporate has already proven off the Airflow SUV, which is a close-to-production-ready prototype that may seemingly function a foundation for the long run EV.
Picture: © 2024 Stellantis
The corporate discontinued the Chrysler 300 sedan final yr, leaving the Pacifica and Pacifica hybrid as its solely remaining fashions. It offered round 133,000 minivans final yr, making it amongst Stellantis’ lowest-performing manufacturers. Whether or not that’s sufficient income to start the costly technique of growing an all-electric lineup of autos will stay to be seen. However Feuell mentioned the corporate is properly positioned to attain its targets.
“Look, I’d at all times like to have extra and quicker,” she mentioned. “We’ve improved the profitability of the model considerably during the last two years. And that’s serving to to fund the brand new product growth that you just’ll see going ahead.”