Chrysler's Airflow Concept Morphs into Lucid-Like SUV

2022-05-14 20:56:25 By : Mr. Jack Zhang

Chrysler's new take on the Airflow Concept adds moody design, drawing the look of the crossover closer to the Lucid Air. Call the Airflow Graphite, the concept is widely considered to be a roadmap to Chrysler's future vehicle plans.

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, plans to overhaul the brand with dozens of electric vehicles in the next 10 years. Chrysler plans to launch its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) by 2025, but specific plans have yet to be revealed.

The model takes its name from a Chrysler concept from 1934.

The first concept, painted in white, debuted in January at CES in Las Vegas. The new concept, whose debut aligned with the New York International Auto Show, features Galaxy Black paint with Cyprus Copper accents inside and out.

In a press release, Chryslers says the new Airflow Concept is "inspired by a sophisticated urban mindset that feels at home navigating amid big city skylines", providing a contrast compared to the previous version.

It features a streamlined design as well as 22-inch wheels and a new illuminated Chrysler Wing logo that is integrate into a full-width light bar.

Inside, buyers get a squared-off steering wheel and numerous screens, including in front of the passenger, just like in the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Each occupant gets their own climate control while "crystalized textures" match crystal accents.

Its vegetable-tanned leather and recycled material floor mats, fabric and carpeting point to a sustainability-focused design mantra.

The seats sit on pedestals, adding more storage space for each passenger.

The Chrysler Airflow Graphite Concept gets the company's STLA Brain and STLA Smart Cockpit. STLA Brain is the electric architecture, and it allows the company to update features with software quickly.

The system will now be able to adjust and update 30 parameters, as opposed to the 10 it currently can update. STLA SmartCockpit is part of STLA Brain and provides telematics, navigation, voice assistance and payment services. It will also feature STLA AutoDrive, a Level 3 autonomous system.

The Airflow will ride on the parent company's STLA Large platform, which design head Ralph Gilles said will be used to "create a long-range luxury sedan, an all-conquering muscle car, a heart-of-the-market DUV, a heart-of-the-market SUV, a very capable Jeep off-roading white-space opportunity vehicle as well as a new mid-sized truck," in a company presentation last year.

The platform is made for larger electric vehicles and could be used on future Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram projects.

Chrysler has installed two 150-kilowatt electric motors and all-wheel drive on the Airflow Concept. The model can also handle larger motors in case the company wants to go for higher performance and it claims the battery can achieve up to 400 miles on a full charge.

Chrysler didn't comment on price or power, but in January the company said it will fall the in current sweet spot for EVs, which is between $35,000 and $60,000, before tax credits.

Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters