Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV, now with cross-hairs
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 11th 2009 at 12:01AM 
Click the Dodge Circuit EV for a high-res gallery
In spite of the large Dodge EV branding that was on this car when it first appeared last fall, it was obvious to all that it was simply a Lotus Europa. In spite of Chrysler's seemingly inexorable drive to insolvency in recent months, the engineers and designers in Auburn Hills have continued to try make the best use of the time they have left with a paycheck. The electric sports car now known as the Circuit EV has been the beneficiary of cross-hair nose job that is actually an improvement over the Lotus original. The tail has also been revamped and the plug socket has moved from the passenger side to the driver's side flank.
The specs haven't changed so the Circuit is still a bit slower than a Tesla Roadster with a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds. The range is also estimated at 150-200 miles. It's anyone's guess what the real world range would be though since no one outside Chrysler or Lotus has thoroughly tested the Circuit yet. The other guess is whether Chrysler LLC will be around long enough to actually sell the Circuit to customers. Maybe we should start a pool to see which company will hold longer, Chrysler or Tesla?
Dodge Circuit EV
Dodge Circuit EV: Brand new version of all-electric sports car boasts unique, fearless Dodge design
All-electric vehicle delivers sports car performance with zero gasoline consumption, zero tailpipe emissions and 150-200 mile driving range
The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.
The Dodge Circuit EV design screams pure sports car from every angle. The Dodge Circuit EV's profile demonstrates perfect proportions for balanced handling, placing the driver and passenger midway along the wheelbase. At the front of the vehicle, the distinctive Dodge crosshair grille splits the wind, sending it over the long, low hood and cleanly over the windshield and cockpit. The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth and also a functional rear-brake air duct. At the rear, the functional elements blend with design to create a uniform finish.
"The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car," said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. "The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment."
The Dodge Circuit EV is adorned in all-new "Tangoreen" exterior color, wearing large "EV" graphics on both sides of the sports car.
The uncomplicated interior of the Dodge Circuit EV delivers a combination of pure function and athletic refinement. The cockpit design puts complete control of the car at the driver's fingertips. Nestled within a leather-covered instrument cluster are two primary analog-face gauges. A digital display conveys information regarding the electric-drive system.
The seats feature deep bolsters and are covered in premium leather. The same premium leather covers the center console and the width of the instrument panel.
The Dodge Circuit EV delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control.
Propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, the Dodge Circuit EV posts impressive performance numbers:
0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds
¼-mile in 13 seconds
Top speed of more than 120 mph
Perhaps the most impressive Dodge Circuit EV number, however, is zero. That's how much gasoline the vehicle consumes while providing exhilarating sports car performance. It's also how much tailpipe emissions are produced.
The Dodge Circuit EV utilizes just three powertrain components. These include a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.
Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of 150 to 200 miles between charges – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.
The Dodge Circuit EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.
Dodge Circuit EV – Vehicle Specifications
Vehicle Type Battery Electric Vehicle,
2-passenger performance coupe
Weight and Dimensions
Length 153.5 inches / 3900 mm
Width 67.5 inches / 1714 mm
Height 45.3 inches / 1150 mm
Wheelbase 91.7 inches / 2330 mm
Track front / rear 57.4 inches / 1457 mm 58.7 inches / 1490 mm
Turn circle 38.0 feet / 11.6 m
Powertrain and Suspension
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Motor Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
Regenerative braking
Battery Lithium-ion battery
Suspension Front - Independent
Rear - Independent
Wheels and Tires
Tire size front P195 / 45ZR17 23.9 inches / 607 mm
Tire size rear P235 / 40ZR18 25.4 inches / 645 mm
Color Scheme
Exterior Tangoreen
Interior Black Leather with Satin Silver accents
Key Performance Attributes
0-60 mph (0-100 kph) less than 5 seconds
Standing ¼-mile low-13 seconds
Top speed greater than 120 mph (approximately 193 kph)
All-electric range 150-200 miles (approximately 241-322 km)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael 12:05AM (1/11/2009)
Start a pool?
Reply
firstplace 1:44AM (1/11/2009)
they may not make it before the curtain drops...
Torrent 12:12AM (1/11/2009)
Change the headlights and I'm aiight.
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doc b 12:23AM (1/11/2009)
The third dodge/chrysler I ever "wanted". Says a lot.
1. Dodge Viper Coupe (1st Gen)
2. Chrysler ME
Maybe, they've gotten so "back to the wall", they'll start acting like a hungry start-up and make cars people "want" from now on.
Reply
doc b 12:31AM (1/11/2009)
Oh yeah...and the Tomahawk. I totally would have bought one of those.
So 4 in total.
Lee 10:40AM (1/11/2009)
The Deamon looked like it had promise too. A poor man's Viper to challenge the miata and opel twins. But then all the talk of it being built by the chinese, going to a fwd just messed it up, until it faded off. Anyone hear anything about it lately?
Jared 12:43PM (1/11/2009)
The deamon would of been just that. Imagine if they got the Deamon out in say... 08, and then in 2010 released the EV version of it (the circuit). But then again, you gotta remember who's running the company, and his previous endevors in the business world.
Alasdair 8:19AM (1/11/2009)
That looks fantastic. I love the name too, Circuit EV. I hope they don't run out of money, make this, and people buy it. I never disliked the Europa, but if the electric era is upon us, having nice metal such as this, the Lightning GT and the Tesla sitting on the streets is only going to accelerate peoples acceptance of electric powered cars.
And the whole their not green idea is bunk; Just buy 100% accredited greenenergy from the grid - wind, solar (although solar is rubbish) and nuclear electricity is only marginally more expensive than black electricity (I'm in Aus, and we love our coal here) and far cheaper than paying for petrol each week.
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CarbonBlack 12:40AM (1/11/2009)
I like it less than the first one!
the cross-hairs look tacked on, and inconsistent with the rest of the design.
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Joe 12:56AM (1/11/2009)
+1.
I like that the new nose is slightly longer and more pointy, but the crosshairs just don't look right. This car is the new, exciting electric sports car. But the crosshairs makes you think Viper. They should have gone a different route to clearly set it apart as an electric sports car.
Brent 1:37AM (1/11/2009)
Yeah, the front is a little goofy. But the rear looks much better!
Steve Neill 1:42AM (1/11/2009)
+2.
That thing looks like a piece of tarted up cheese...
Jim 12:56AM (1/11/2009)
Sam, for the love of God can you dispense with the constant barbs on Chrysler's future?
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Kattleox 1:02AM (1/11/2009)
In general, the Europa is a much better looking Dodge than a Lotus. It's too heavy for a lotus, too slow for a lotus, too chunky for a lotus. Here, though, it's a tiny ME electric viper.
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MachinaDC5 2:22AM (1/11/2009)
Did they get the headlights out of the old Acura RSX parts bin?
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bvz 3:27AM (1/11/2009)
Anybody else see a little Audi R8 in the back there? Especially in gallery pic #4.
Granted, the R8 looks (to my eyes) a whole lot better, but this thing is pretty nice in and of itself.
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Red 4:18AM (1/11/2009)
I realize they were pressed for time, but quite frankly, they should've stuck that drivetrain in the Demon. That looks less cobbled together than this. Just my opinion though; I don't mind a full rebody, but they weren't even trying with this one.
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freshforged 4:36AM (1/11/2009)
Red, kindly catch a ride on the cluetrain. They are working largely without a budget and have just dropped 1/4th of their white collar workforce, so where are they going to find the money to design and pay for the machining for a limited volume, carbon fiber and aluminum monocoque body?
If they had that kind of time/money/staff they wouldn't have killed the Viper.
Red 7:47AM (1/11/2009)
I guess you missed the part where I mentioned putting that drivetrain in something resembling the Demon Concept, which--instead of purchasing, stripping and building a Lotus Europa--would've been less expensive to recycle. They've already built working, driveable Demon prototypes and, unlike the Europa, those who drove it actually liked it.
I don't think anyone here would disagree it is in fact you in desperate need of a clue. But thanks for trying...
Jim 10:20AM (1/11/2009)
The Demon was
1) Front-engine, front drive. no reason to assume that the full-EV hardware would have been possible to package in that chassis. the Lotus frames for this (and the Tesla) are mid-engine; so everything can be shoved in back.
2) based on a Chery platform, and as we know that partnership dissolved.
So no, it probably wouldn't have been "easier."