2008 Detroit Auto Show: Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept

• Looks like: Chrysler’s take on the Toyota Prius
• Defining characteristics: Dual vertical skylights
• Ridiculous features: Retractable mousepad to control functions
• Chance of being mass-produced: Zippo, until electric power is commonplace

We don’t like to be totally down on a concept car — they’re supposed to be flights of fancy. But Chrysler begins its press release about the ecoVoyager — and two other electric concepts, the Dodge ZEO and Jeep Renegade — by saying that all car companies have access to the same technology. Meaning that even though Chrysler hasn’t confirmed that it’s developing the electric and gasoline-electric hybrid technology it says will power these concepts, that doesn’t mean it can’t show off the concept. GM, Ford and Toyota have either shown working prototypes or will begin testing them soon.

That disclaimer out of the way, we can talk about the Chrysler ecoVoyager. Its futuristic look and slight resemblance to the Toyota Prius are supposed to evoke feelings of environmental friendliness, and at that it succeeds. The bulbous shape should be aerodynamic, and its small size should help keep weight down. Those are two characteristics necessary in ultra-efficient cars.

A small electric motor powers the four wheels. Most similar systems we’ve seen haven’t mentioned such lofty equivalent horsepower numbers, so this concept’s claimed 268 hp sounds quite lofty. The motor alone should go 40 miles on a full electric charge. If it doesn’t, something Chrysler calls a range extender will kick in to recharge the batteries. The ecoVoyager’s range extender is a hydrogen fuel cell that will allow for a 300-mile range. All of this sounds very similar to what GM said when it rolled out the Chevy Volt at last year’s Detroit auto show.

The ecoVoyager is a nifty design, but we’re not sure car buyers will be willing to wait for Chrysler to catch up to the competition simply for design’s sake. There are a lot of photos below, so if the look thrills you — or not — let us know.

Comments

I'm all for these concept cars, especially Dodge's ZEO, but wouldn't it make a lot more sense for a company in a lot of financial trouble to spend money on fixing their current lineup instead of dropping major coin on futuristic concepts that we'll never see?

Because "styling excercises" on "car of tomorrow" concepts are actually cheaper than doing R&D on anything that might actually reach production.

I call them "farts and good intentions vehicles" because that's what they run on. And they don't have a snowball's chance of seeing production (except for maybe styling cues)

Personally if this is all they are bringing to the show (and a 2nd year of minor facelifts) this is a big "Not good" for Chrylsercorp.

Chrysler did a nice job on the interior, but the wheelwells intrude into the driver's footspace way too much. Scrap the neo-cab forward look for more footroom, or take a lesson from the Prius and modify. I doubt the hardtop would make it to production, but it's an interesting style job, and Chrysler's modern deco themes translate well in this concept.