Forget the Volt: Chrysler's plug-in hybrids will do 0-60 in less than 4 seconds

So we already know that vice chairman and president Jim Press was out earlier this month touting three ‘electric-vehicle prototypes’ to Chrysler dealers. We now have more information on what exactly he showed and what’s on the drawing board headed towards production.

If you remember, about 2 months back Chrysler launched a new division called ENVI (yes, a group that’s ENVIous of the Volt) that it said was going to be responsible for developing electric vehicles for the three Chrysler brands. Well guess what? Those were the three prototypes being shown to dealers by Press who has also driven the three, what he calls, ‘producible prototypes.’

All three cars use plug-in hybrid technology (much like the Chevy Volt) and allow for range of at least 300 miles. Press, who has driven all three models, says that they are...
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CarbonX5 - 9/10/2008 5:41:32 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, they didn't start ENVI a few months back. They started it a year ago...

http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=96153&hl=ENVI

ceric - 9/10/2008 7:48:20 PM

0 Boost

Come on, electric drive and gas ICE extended range is low low tech. Any developing country has one toy model to show you. In fact, a lot of universities have a EV car to show off.
The key is in the battery.
(1) 10 year+/150K miles
(2) safety: No fire, please.
(3) low cost

As good as the battery on Volt is (most advanced one today), it costs $15000 for 40-mile range. However, it is safe and it lasts 10+ years. That is the reality. Chrysler is dreaming about the future. Don't mistake it as today. Reality check.

The battery system on Tesla costs about $30k-$40k today w/o clear warranty period specified on their website. No one knows how long it will last. Those rich folks probably don't care either. Again, reality check.

jasaero - 9/11/2008 9:50:32 AM

+1 Boost

Not only that, but producibility. Look at a car like Tesla. We know the car can perform, but who knows if they will ever build more than a handful every year??

Audiphile - 9/10/2008 10:06:17 PM

+4 Boost

Very nice-looking designs. Let's hope Chrysler can get them into production before the company goes under for good.

Gaybear - 9/11/2008 3:44:57 AM

0 Boost

yeah right! better do something to make the production before Chrysler is sold to someone else. Keep dreaming is a good thing!

silver1 - 9/11/2008 8:45:02 AM

0 Boost

Sure!!!!

Whelan - 9/11/2008 9:11:42 AM

0 Boost

So Chrysler is promising fast electric cars that look like something a designer put on paper only so far. Yet Chevy is about to actually come out with a electric/hybrid within a year. Riiight they are soooo close.

If anyone is on the block its Chrysler.

harryd - 9/11/2008 9:43:24 AM

+2 Boost

I hope they stay true to the futuristic designs (which look way cool, IMO). The original Volt looked great, but the Volt's new skin just stinks - getting a car that looks like a Chevy Aveo on the outside but is high-tech all the way on the inside just doesn't jive with one another - the concepts are at odds. if i buy an electric car, I want it to say, "FUTURE" in capital letters.

Cornholio852 - 9/16/2008 8:01:43 AM

+1 Boost

not eveyone wants the future in caps lock

holmstar - 9/11/2008 11:26:03 AM

0 Boost

looks like a Mazda.