Chrysler's Volt competitor coming by 2013
A tanking light truck market has hurt Chrysler more than most automakers, and a quick glance at the Pentastar's lineup shows that its lack of a small car isn't helping matters, either. Another thing that Chrysler doesn't appear to have in the immediate future is a plug-in hybrid or electric car. That doesn't mean such a product will never exist, though (right?). Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told the Detroit Free Press that Project ENVI will produce an electric vehicle in "three to five years." Though Mr. Cappa didn't give any details about the project, he did say the skunkworks tech could "turn everything into a range-extended vehicle and take it beyond the 2020 campaign for 35 miles per gallon." We're not sure if "turn everything" means that ENVI is going to enable every Chrysler vehicle to surpass 2020 fuel economy levels, but it sure sounds like it.
For Chrysler's oversized dealer body, a 2013 time frame might as well be the date of the unveiling of the Chrysler Starship Enterprise. They're looking for something to sell now, and the Pentastar has given them very few commitments. The dealers are pleased with upcoming diesel models, and a two-mode minivan will help some, but efficient vehicles with plenty of volume is the order of the day. Make that yesterday.
[Source: Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Justin 10:06AM (7/15/2008)
Damn, there's gonna be a Chrysler in 2013?
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P.V. 10:13AM (7/15/2008)
LO...! (I was going to say "LOL", but it might happen.)
Avinash machado 10:33AM (7/15/2008)
Of course, Chrysler will be there in 2013. Well at least in the history books.
Xcountryflyer 11:37AM (7/15/2008)
My thought exactly.
icu812ru469 12:45PM (7/15/2008)
To release something as a competition for something else, don't you actually have to be in business? I would dread if in 5 years Chrysler is still building cars. Maybe they'll try making bicycles.
TJ 10:07AM (7/15/2008)
"They're looking for something to sell now, and the Pentastar has given them very few commitments. The dealers are pleased with upcoming diesel models, and a two-mode minivan will help some, but efficient vehicles with plenty of volume is the order of the day. Make that yesterday."
Did they cancel Phoenix, or are people just uninformed?
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Brent 10:49AM (7/15/2008)
Phoenix is still coming. I don't see why so many people want Chrysler to die. They are going to be a lean company, and get things done, fast!
Nightcrawler 12:12PM (7/15/2008)
Isn't the Phoenix engine a V6 powerful enough to use in some applications that were traditionally V8? I don't see how that will help their sales much. Yeah, it might make big cars a little more efficient, but not quite as bad big vehicles isn't what the market is looking for at the moment. They need some small 4 cylinder vehicles.
In theory, couldn't direct injection and their other tricks make a, say, 1.2 liter four generate the power of today's typical 1.8L to 2.0L fours with better economy? It seems like that approach would make a lot more sense then making V6s that can replace V8s. It seems like a 1.2L, 125 hp engine could make for a very efficient compact car.
TJ 12:32PM (7/15/2008)
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/phoenix-engines.html
correct. However, this technology will find its way into the world engines as well.
VVT, GDI, MDS, all aluminum, rumored cam-less version for Daimler (not sure about this anymore), and revolutionary oil mapping.
pretty interesting stuff, much of which can be applied to other engine families. I am very excited to see what they came up with for these.
Although, the world engine family of fours is NOT as bad as everyone says, I agree they are not class leading.
xcrunk 10:11AM (7/15/2008)
Good timing....by then we should be all laid off and roaming the streets for food as the Depression II sets will be in it's 4th year.
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P.V. 10:12AM (7/15/2008)
When I first saw the front of that car, I thought it was a Cadillac.
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J M C 3 12:30PM (7/15/2008)
Me Too
Tool 10:14AM (7/15/2008)
2013 is five--five--years from now.
It is quite possible that Chrysler, at least as it is configured today, won't be in business.
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TJ 10:20AM (7/15/2008)
Um..... its not going to be 'configured' this way in five years.
Everyone talking about BK or being sold in peices or being gone altogether are retards.
Tool 10:36AM (7/15/2008)
"Everyone talking about BK or being sold in peices or being gone altogether are retards."
It is retarded to think that there is not a high probability that Chrysler will look dramatically different by 2013.
Anyone who doesn't understand this needs to pull their head out of their @ss.
TJ 10:56AM (7/15/2008)
You quoted the second thing I said, skipping over the first...
then you repeated what I said first. :rollingeyes:
Tool 11:09AM (7/15/2008)
Yes, TJ, you were so amazing coherent and clear in your original comments. It's hard to believe that I could have missed your point. :rollingeyes: :extendingmiddlefinger:
TJ 11:26AM (7/15/2008)
:laughing:
me:
"its not going to be 'configured' this way in five years."
you:
"It is retarded to think that there is not a high probability that Chrysler will look dramatically different by 2013. "
how much clarity do you require?
Tool 11:41AM (7/15/2008)
So, you agree with my statement that Chrysler will not look like it does today, then discount entirely that it might be "sold in peices", "be gone altogether" or go into "BK". (Nice spelling on peices, BTW.)
You have no logic to your arguments. If Chrysler will not look (or be 'configured') as it does today, that would inherently mean that it may be sold, parceled off, severely shrunk, reorganized, bankrupt, etc, etc,
TJ 11:45AM (7/15/2008)
"If Chrysler will not look (or be 'configured') as it does today, that would inherently mean that it may be sold, parceled off, severely shrunk, reorganized, bankrupt, etc, etc,"
Reorganization, or structural change does not require BK or complete dissolution that many here claim to be the only way. I would you to task for saying, essentially 'the only way for this company to survive is to die.'
Again, I am saying there IS and WILL BE reorganization. But all those whining about the death of Chrysler are sadly misinformed, misguided, and just plain retarded.
oh, sorry for a single typo. wow.