Autoblog

click above image for more views of the Jeep Renegade Concept

The final concept of Chrysler's trio for the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is the Jeep Renegade Concept. We actually find this one the most interesting, both in terms of design and feasibility. The Renegade features all-aluminum construction to keep its weight down, as well as what appears to be a parallel hybrid drivetrain consisting of the same 40-mile lithium-ion battery pack used in the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept sharing duties with a small-displacement BLUETEC diesel engine. Jeep claims the Renegade would be good for more than 110 miles per gallon, which we think is probably accurate. Hopefully we'll begin seeing fuel economy numbers like that when lithium-ion battery packs become more prevalent, as well as diesel engines for that matter.

The Renegade's design is typical Jeep, focusing on adventure in all weather conditions. The speedster windshield and roll bar add some sportiness to the aesthetics, while the lower-door openings and hosable interior show it's a true Jeep with a trail-busting attitude. The lack of any front overhang and the vertical headlights give the front end an aerodynamic yet rugged look that we think works well Jeep's trademark seven-slot grille.

That's the last of Chrysler's concept trio that we were given a sneak peak of today, though all will be present and accounted for in January at the Detroit Auto Show. We're not sure yet what the company plans to show in terms of production cars, redesigns and refreshes, but when we find out you'll be the first to know.

[Source: Jeep]

click above image for more views of the Dodge ZEO Concept

The second of three concepts that Chrysler LLC has planned for the 2007 Detroit Auto Show is the Dodge ZEO Concept. It's eco-friendly credentials come via its all-EV powertrain, which consists of a lithium-ion battery pack capable of an impressive 250-mile range. That's theoretical and on-paper we presume, but it's nice to dream. The ZEO is a 2+2, four-passenger sport wagon that features the familiar cross-hair grille up front with a design that looks more Japanese than American to us. The hatchback profile looks like something we've seen on recent Mazda and Honda concepts, though the haunchy fender flares are all Dodge. Unfortunately, that's all we know about the ZEO until January when Dodge debuts the concept in Detroit.

[Source: Dodge]

click above image for more views of the Chrysler evoVoyager Concept

Chrysler has released sketches today of three eco-minded concepts it will be unveiling at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January, and the first we'll tell you about is the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept. The ecoVoyager Concept appears to be a series hybrid, much like the Chevy Volt or Ford Airstream Concept, that uses a lithium-ion battery pack for jaunts of 40 miles or less and a hydrogen fuel-cell range extender to reach distances up to 300 miles away. Power is expected to be in the range of 200 kW total, which Chrysler claims is good for reach 60 mph in around eight seconds. The exterior features an extreme cab forward design creating an arch profile with flowing character lines coming from the front and back that intersect on the sides. The interior design is described as being like a luxury jet, though no images of the concept's innards have been released yet. We'll have to wait until we meet the ecoVoyager Concept in person come January to tell you more, but for now gaze upon Chrysler's first of three concepts that's slated for introduction on the biggest stage of the year.

[Source: Chrysler]