Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed from Paris the company will bring its plug-in hybrid minivan to market late next year – a year ahead of its previously announced timeframe.
In May this year we reported its Town & Country PHEV would come along in 2016, and could boast upwards of 75 MPGe while taking design cues from the 700c concept (pictured).
The new plug-in hybrid will be one of more Chrysler hybrids to come, including a full-sized crossover. A report by Automotive News offered scant details about the minivan's powertrain, but earlier this year it was suggested it could get a nine-speed transmission and offer all-wheel drive.
According to Automobile magazine, the new minivan will get a new front-wheel-drive platform and V6 and motor pairing.
Town & Country plug-in hybrids tested on the road were using "a 3.6-liter Pentastar paired with a two-mode hybrid transmission and liquid-coolied lithium-ion battery pack to crank out 290 horsepower," wrote Automobile.
Level 2 charging took two-four hours, and level one took 8-15 hours. AER was not mentioned, but a total of 700 miles range was.
The vehicle is believed likely to seat seven and rival the Chevy Traverse, and Toyota Highlander.
In 1984 Chrysler made a big splash in the market with its first minivan that began the downward spiral for station wagons as a vehicle of choice for American families.
Chrysler presently has no hybrids for sale in the U.S. and here it is launching a vehicle in a type that proved successful before – and indeed, there is a gaping hole other automakers have chosen not to fill, although they have the technology in place .
But Marchionne made no predictions that plug-in power would replace combustion, and in fact, he stated limitations with battery energy storage would keep them a minority player until further notice.
“I keep on running into this fundamental economic obstacle of overcoming the cost equation of electrification. You can’t,” Marchionne said. “You can’t unless there is a wholesale change and a fundamental shift in the pricing structure of cars.”
So what will it cost? That was not divulged either, but they’re building it, bringing it early, and earlier this year Chrysler brand head Al Gardner said the plug-in minivan would be have efficiency to rival a Prius.
Know any other companies with technology that can rival a Prius?
Automotive News , Automobile
In May this year we reported its Town & Country PHEV would come along in 2016, and could boast upwards of 75 MPGe while taking design cues from the 700c concept (pictured).
The new plug-in hybrid will be one of more Chrysler hybrids to come, including a full-sized crossover. A report by Automotive News offered scant details about the minivan's powertrain, but earlier this year it was suggested it could get a nine-speed transmission and offer all-wheel drive.
According to Automobile magazine, the new minivan will get a new front-wheel-drive platform and V6 and motor pairing.
Town & Country plug-in hybrids tested on the road were using "a 3.6-liter Pentastar paired with a two-mode hybrid transmission and liquid-coolied lithium-ion battery pack to crank out 290 horsepower," wrote Automobile.
Level 2 charging took two-four hours, and level one took 8-15 hours. AER was not mentioned, but a total of 700 miles range was.
The vehicle is believed likely to seat seven and rival the Chevy Traverse, and Toyota Highlander.
In 1984 Chrysler made a big splash in the market with its first minivan that began the downward spiral for station wagons as a vehicle of choice for American families.
Chrysler presently has no hybrids for sale in the U.S. and here it is launching a vehicle in a type that proved successful before – and indeed, there is a gaping hole other automakers have chosen not to fill, although they have the technology in place .
But Marchionne made no predictions that plug-in power would replace combustion, and in fact, he stated limitations with battery energy storage would keep them a minority player until further notice.
“I keep on running into this fundamental economic obstacle of overcoming the cost equation of electrification. You can’t,” Marchionne said. “You can’t unless there is a wholesale change and a fundamental shift in the pricing structure of cars.”
So what will it cost? That was not divulged either, but they’re building it, bringing it early, and earlier this year Chrysler brand head Al Gardner said the plug-in minivan would be have efficiency to rival a Prius.
Know any other companies with technology that can rival a Prius?
Automotive News , Automobile
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I normally rent cars with key-less entry, so I don't have to fumble for the key in my cargo pants all the time.
