Chrysler's concept for 2008 - the ecoVoyager - marries an elegantrnAmerican design with fuel cell Range-extended Electric Vehiclerntechnology.
"The 2008 Chrysler ecoVoyager concept vehiclerncelebrates the romance of automobile travel embodied in a four-door,rnfour-passenger, distinctively American automobile of spirited design,"rnsaid Greg Howell, principal ecoVoyager concept exterior designer.rn"While the ecoVoyager's supple, flowing one-box shape is purposelyrndesigned to achieve aerodynamic efficiencies, it also pushes thernChrysler brand language in a new direction of 'elegant simplicity,' byrntaking full advantage of the space normally occupied by a bulkyrnconventional powertrain setup to drastically reduce the front overhang."
Featuringrncrisscrossing forms defined by hard lines with fluid intersections, thernstyle vocabulary of the ecoVoyager embodies Chrysler's harmonisation ofrnfunctional technology with beautifully-styled exteriors and interiors.
ThernChrysler ecoVoyager concept was developed for customers wanting arntravel experience on par with a private jet, but without a lot of fancyrngadgetry. These customers seek three critical attributes: elegance,rnsimplicity and serenity.
Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept Technology
Thernall-new Chrysler ecoVoyager's wheels are driven by an electric motor,rnwith power primarily supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack capable ofrnsatisfying a consumer's typical daily commute of less than 40 miles.
Thernelectric motor develops 200 kilowatts (268 horsepower), enablingrnacceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than eight seconds. Arnregenerative braking system captures energy that would normally be lostrnand returns it to the battery, making the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept arnvery efficient and spacious vehicle.
The ecoVoyager takesrnadvantage of a range extender - in this case, a small, advancedrnhydrogen fuel cell -- to extend the vehicle range for occasional longrntrips. With this advanced technology, the Chrysler ecoVoyager's totalrnrange is greater than 300 miles, while no emissions - besides waterrnvapour -- come from the tailpipe along the way.
With the entire propulsion system located below the ecoVoyager's floor, space is maximized for utility of passenger and cargo.
Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept Exterior
Expressiverndetails of the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept include panoramic roof glassrnbisected by a centre spine, tight body overhangs and a dramaticrnboat-tail back end. The sinuous shapes of the window graphics,rnheadlamps, tail lamps and grille openings are inspired by Chrysler'srnstoried winged badge.
The curving trapezoidal shape of thernecoVoyager's grille is echoed by the clear lens-covered shadow box thatrnhouses the rear license plate. The sloping backlight features a similarrnshape, emphasizing the repeating harmony of the ecoVoyager's designrnelements.
Other exterior touches on the Chrysler ecoVoyagerrnconcept include the elongated, flaring "light catchers" on the lowerrndoors and the front and rear fascias, enhanced by the Polar Icernexterior colour.
Finally, side doors open a wide 90 degrees.rnSince the rear doors are hinged at the rear and there is no centrernB-pillar, entrance into the ecoVoyager is virtually unimpeded.
Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept Interior
Byrnplacing the front wheels of the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept fartherrnforward than usual, designers were able to create greater interiorrnroominess and increased legroom, especially in the rear seats.
Inrnthe ecoVoyager's spacious interior, the size, design and location ofrnall controls have been rethought to provide its four pamperedrnpassengers the luxury of having every feature within effortless reach.
"Inrnsome ways, true luxury is in not having to reach or search around forrncontrols," said Ty Stump, principal interior designer of the ChryslerrnecoVoyager concept. "With the new ecoVoyager concept, we carefullyrnplaced the gauges and controls in order to reduce head and eyernmovement. We also achieved simplicity in the interior forms, both forrnvisual elegance and to avoid distracting surfaces."
ThernecoVoyager's windshield defroster and cabin air-conditioning outlets inrnthe instrument panels and doors, for example, are invisible beneath arnrecessed perforated mesh. This avoids visually-disruptive array slidingrnvanes and protruding knobs. Even the colour of the interior -- softrnDove Gray with warm cherry wood accents — is designed to promote arnrelaxed ambiance.
The Chrysler ecoVoyager's unconventionalrninstrument panel features a broad, leather-covered angled surface,rnslightly V-shaped in plan view and fronted by a full-width displayrnscreen set just below the windshield. The left and right outer ends ofrnthis non-glare screen contain the side-view mirror image, while a thirdrncamera image in front of the driver serves as the rear-view mirror.
Unlikernmost instrument clusters, only currently-needed information isrndisplayed, designed to be viewed above the steering wheel rim ratherrnthan through it (and requiring less up-down eye movement andrnrefocusing). The front-seat passenger can view a movie without itsrnmoving images disturbing the driver. A slick, slide-out/retractablerncentre console - fitted with hot-key buttons and a mouse pad - replacesrnthe functions contained in a conventional vertical centre stack.
ThernecoVoyager's four individual chairs are contoured for personalisedrncomfort. The seat framing is exposed, with under-seat storage drawers.rnFront seats have individual cantilevered, adjustable armrestsrncontaining the window controls and heat/massage switches, whilernindividual rear-seat armrests fold into the cabin back panel. With thernability to store six 20-ounce bottles, the floor console dividing thernrear seats accommodates hot or cold beverages.
A recessed area inrnthe headliner between the two longitudinal skylights contains thern"Direct Sound" function. With this feature, the musical entertainmentrnchoice of each individual occupant can be directed to him or herrnwithout the use of headphones, and without disturbing others in the car.
Sleek,rnrefined, efficient and superbly comfortable, the Chrysler ecoVoyagerrnconcept vehicle offers a new experience in stress-free travel.
Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept Specifications
VehiclernType: Range-extended Electric Vehicle (40-mile all-electric range withrnhydrogen fuel cell range extender), Two-row seating, four-passenger
Weight and Dimensions
- Weight/GVWR: 2750 lbs./3500 lbs.
- Length: 191.2 inches/4856mm
- Width at H-point: 75.4 inches/1915mm
- Height: 63.0 inches/1600mm
- Wheelbase: 116.0 inches/2946mm
- Couple 1-2: 45.4 inches/1154mm
- Front overhang: 34.0 inches/864mm
- Rear overhang: 41.2 inhces/1046mm
- Track front/rear: 65.6 inches/1666mm
- Approach angle: 15.0 degrees
- Departure angle: 20.9 degrees
- Turn circle: 40 feet/12.2m
- Maximum width: 75.4 inches/1915mm
Powertrain and Suspension
- Layout : Front wheel drive
- Motor: Single electric
- Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
- Regenerative braking
- Battery: 16 kWh Li-ion battery pack
- Range extender: Hydrogen fuel cell, PEM 45kW, 700bar (10,000psi) high pressure tanks
- Suspension
- Front - MacPherson Strut
- Rear - MacPherson Strut
Wheels and Tyres
- Tyre size front/rear: P235/45R22x8 30.3 inches/770mm
- Tyre manufacturer: Goodyear
Colour Scheme
- Exterior: Polar Ice Blue
- Interior: Dove Gray
Key Performance Attributes
- 0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds
- Standing ¼ mile: 12.9 seconds
- Top speed: 115 mph
- All-electric range: 40 miles
- Total range: 300 miles
