Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Reuters, Chrysler has disbanded its ENVI program and integrated the group back into its normal product development organization. Former ENVI head Lou Rhodes will now take the title of group line executive in charge of electric vehicle development and will manage that group for both Chrysler and Fiat. Though we weren't exactly expecting this change, the move isn't entirely surprising.

At this point, we don't yet know what this reorganization means for the electric vehicles that Chrysler had previously promised to put into production, the first of which was to be the Lotus-based Dodge Circuit that was hopefully supposed to be on the market by late 2010.

Fiat CEO and newly-appointed head of Chrysler Sergio Marchionne said earlier this week during Chrysler's painfully long new product plan presentation that electric vehicles are still a very tough proposition with current battery technology. In fact, the automaker expects that less than two percent of its lineup will be electric by 2014, which would amount to fewer than 60,000 vehicles per year.


Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV


[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Circuit EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all of the recent upheaval at Chrysler, it's no surprise that the fate of the very cool Dodge Circuit is not exactly certain. In May, Chrysler assured everyone that the program was not DOA, and Chrylser ENVI president Lou Rhodes recently said something similar to Car and Driver. Rhodes even gave C&D a few details about how the program is shaping up.

Chrysler's plan involves having the vehicle produced by Lotus in the UK (sounds familiar) and then shipped to the U.S. for the electric powertrain. Chrysler's sales target is 100,000 EVs in order to benefit from economies of scale for all the expensive EV bits. By selling that many vehicles, Chrysler's efforts could make the Circuit "tens of thousands" of dollars less than the somewhat similar Tesla Roadster. The Circuit is still likely to be Chrysler's first EV, and could start production next year.

Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Car and Driver via All Cars Electric]

REPORT: Dodge Circuit production hints, possibly coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click the image above to view the video after the jump

A few weeks ago, we had the chance to step into the Dodge Circuit for a quick spin around downtown Detroit. During the course of the drive, we shot some video of our time with Chrysler's EV while getting the run-through on the Circuit's technology from John Myers, the EV's project lead and ENVI employee. The bumpy roads weren't quite long and straight enough for our liking, but we did get the chance to learn a bit more about Chrysler's EV strategy and why the automaker thinks its ENVI battery program is better than Tesla's. Hit the jump to watch the video.


Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive

Continue reading Driving the Dodge Circuit, now with video

Driving the Dodge Circuit, now with video originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Circuit EV

The circuit is one of those things that makes us go "Hmmm." It is not particularly attractive, not particularly innovative, and not particularly noteworthy except that it's an electric car with "Dodge" written on it. The 200kW (268 hp) motor get the "Tangoreen" 2-door to 60 in less than five seconds, and the quarter-mile is a 13-second affair.

Still, as the continuation of what might be considered last summer's cynical exercise we have nothing against the Dodge Circuit -- but unless they price it a great deal lower than a Tesla or make it a great deal cooler than Lotus' (possibly) coming range-extended Evora Europa, then we aren't sure what to do with the Circuit for now. You can read the press release after the jump and check out the high-res gallery of photos below... But for our money, the Chrysler 200C Concept is what the future of the Pentastar is all about.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV


Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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?

Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV, now with cross-hairs

Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV, now with cross-hairs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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