Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Minivans/MPVs, Sports/GTs, SUVs, Green, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge, Jeep
Breaking: Dodge EV sports car, range-extended Town & Country, Wrangler previewed
by Alex Nunez on Sep 23rd 2008 at 9:08AM 
CNBC's Phil Lebeau got a sneak peek at the new EVs Chrysler is developing, and it looks like Auburn Hills is pulling a Tesla, among other things. The yellow Dodge EV you see here is basically an electrified Lotus Europa. Presumably equipped with lithium ion battery power, the Dodge EV has a reported operating range of 150 - 200 miles and can be plugged in to household 110 or 220 outlets. Figure a four-hour charge on the latter, and 8 or so on the former. Zero-to-sixty is said to be under 5 seconds. Like we said, this is basically Chrysler's Tesla, right down to the Lotus-sourced donor vehicle.We'll see the Dodge EV introduced formally later this afternoon, along with range-extended EV versions of the Chrysler Town & Country (can you say, "killer app"?) and Jeep Wrangler. With regard to timing, Chrysler says it would like to have "at least one" of these vehicles on the market by the end of 2010, the unofficial official year of the electric/plug-in car.
Look for all three prototypes to head to D.C., where they'll be showcased for Congressional leaders who have a say in whether or not Washington will show Detroit the money they've been asking for.
For now, you can watch the preview unveiling of the cars on CNBC by watching this video. Chrysler's got something planned for 1PM today, so we expect to have a lot more info and photos then. Stay tuned.
UPDATED: Full details now posted here.
Gallery: Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV
[Source: CNBC]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dude 9:15AM (9/23/2008)
Man, Lotus must be the friendliest Automaker ever. They'll work with anybody.
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EVan 12:29PM (9/23/2008)
There's a difference though between Lotus the automaker and Lotus Engineering.
Lotus Engineering, a subsidiary of Lotus the automaker, is a Tier 1 supplier to automotive OEMs and has its North American headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI.
They supply everything from suspension designs (like the new Dodge Ram's rear coil suspension) to chassis components.
Chrysler has a long relationship with Lotus Engineering so this announcement isn't simply them just copying Tesla.
TJ 9:19AM (9/23/2008)
That's just cool. Not to mention the fact they were able to keep this so far under the radar until today!
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Torrent 11:55AM (9/23/2008)
I'm not a Chrysler fan, (And I mean that to the fullest)
but right now, I'm rooting for them. Any car company that takes physical action in helping save me gas can definitely be my friend.
Mike V. 9:22AM (9/23/2008)
GO CHRYSLER!!!
The Town & Country and the Wrangler were the most interesting of the group. 400 mile range on 8-9 gallons of gas in a minivan. That's a range of 44-50 mpg!
Wow!
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Russell 9:24AM (9/23/2008)
Yea go Chrysler, way to be original right?
Just still Tesla's idea and run with it, pathetic.
TJ 9:32AM (9/23/2008)
@ Russel: WTF are you talking about? Tesla has a minivan?
Jim 9:36AM (9/23/2008)
Russell, I think anyone with a brain can figure out that the EV *is* a Tesla. As in, they're buying the cars and putting their own brand/touches on it.
"Stealing," indeed.
oZ 9:38AM (9/23/2008)
Russell: Yeah, not like Chrysler never had a electric program before!
Oh, wait.
TJ 9:39AM (9/23/2008)
@ Jim:
pathetic. prove your statement.
Frank 9:43AM (9/23/2008)
why some of you are allowed on the internet is beyond me, this is a good thing. if u dont like it, dont buy one. ill take my dodge tesla in black, thank you.
xcrunk 12:07PM (9/23/2008)
Russell, that argument is broken. GM had the EV1 on the roads in California before Tesla ever even existed. So technically Tesla ripped off GM.
And I'm sure GM wasn't the first to think of an all electric vehicle.
Chris 12:22PM (9/23/2008)
Hey, if Chrysler can undercut Tesla in price for similar performance more power to them.
Russell 1:56PM (9/23/2008)
Sorry all, I misspelled "steal", as for Chrysler stealing ideas of others, Tesla is a small startup so its forgivable that they use other automaker's platform.
How long has Chrysler been making cars now?
Its equivalent to GM going to Porsche for platform and ignoring their own Corvette. Chrysler could tweak their Viper and made it electric.
naggs 6:58PM (9/23/2008)
russel, you are a fool
No Welfare for GM 9:22AM (9/23/2008)
Town and Country EV, that car is a winner in my eyes. I think hybrids are great for minivans.
As far as that Lotus, looks amazing.
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Wintrode 9:37AM (9/23/2008)
My thoughts exactly!
I've been wondering for a while now why the minivan had not been hybridized. This makes even more sense!
No Welfare for GM 9:42AM (9/23/2008)
@ Wintrode, my only guess is because of the "Stow" system. Because back seats can be integrated into the floor of the car, where the battery should be. From what i understand that is a HUGE selling point for minivans.
Wintrode 10:06AM (9/23/2008)
That was my initial thought as well with the stow and go. You'd think you could come up with some sort of compromise or better packaging to get it done though, which I am guessing is what they did.
Still good to see someone do it, as to me it makes for the perfect EV/hybrid vehicle. It's main job is around town driving with the occasional long road trip. Ha, "Kids we are not stopping until we need gas!" Lol, 400+ miles later!
JZeke 9:26AM (9/23/2008)
Dodge Europa? They're going to rebody it at least, like the Vauxhall VX220... right?
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