Sleek crossover concept previews the company’s focus on going all electric.
It was back in CES 2020 when Chrysler revealed the AirFlow Vision Concept – a sleek four-seater all-electric, concept car, which was named after the brand’s car from the 1930s. Come 2022, the carmaker has revealed the Chrysler Airflow concept, which looks to be a more production-ready version of the AirFlow Vision.
- Airflow concept likely a design study for future Chrysler EVs
- Powered by dual axle-mounted electric motors
- Tech-heavy cabin features screens for all occupants
The final concept is less outlandish – and seemingly more production-viable – than the 2020 concept, although it still places a heavy emphasis on connectivity and enhanced digital interaction.
Chrysler Airflow concept: design and interior
Taking the form of a sleek, low-slung crossover – comparable in silhouette with the Ford Mustang Mach-E – the Airflow has been designed with a focus on aerodynamics to optimise EV range, while its long wheelbase and wide track are said to “enable a dramatic stance and deliver excellent handling and performance dynamics.”
The lounge-style cabin layout is in keeping with the Airflow’s autonomous and connectivity potential. The wide-format central infotainment screen is flanked by a digital gauge cluster and an independent display for the front passenger, while a pair of independent seats in the rear take the place of a conventional bench.
Vegetable-tanned leather seat upholstery and carpets made from recycled materials embody Chrysler’s sustainability ambitions, while touches like the panoramic roof, ambient lighting and craftsperson-like attention to detail in accent points hint at the brand’s premium aspirations as it shifts to an all-EV line-up.
Chrysler Airflow concept: technology
The Airflow concept is the first physical hint at the performance and connectivity capabilities of Stellantis’s new STLA EV platform, which will be introduced in a range of sizes across the group’s portfolio in the coming years.
Stellantis’s STLA Brain and STLA SmartCockpit technology has been deployed in the Airflow to offer each passenger “a personalised experience that seamlessly connects them with their digital lives as well as the other passengers.”
A series of screens in the front and rear can be configured individually to suit each occupant and interfaces can be shared to other screens with simple swipe gestures. Each seat is also equipped with a camera to enable occupants to participate in video conferences.
The concept is also capable of level-three autonomous driving capabilities, using STLA AutoDrive technology, however, it is unclear how soon this functionality could reach production.
Chrysler Airflow concept: powertrain details
Power is served up by a 204hp motor on each axle, but Chrysler said the platform can accommodate larger motors, “offering the potential for future high-performance applications.” Battery capacity is unconfirmed, but the Airflow is claimed to be capable of between 560-640km per charge.
Chrysler eyes going all-electric by 2028
Chrysler, which has become part of the 14-brand Stellantis portfolio since first announcing the Airflow, showed the physical concept as it announced plans to go all-electric by 2028.
The first fully electric Chrysler model will arrive by 2025, and while the brand has not confirmed whether or not it will be based on the Airflow, the concept does hint at the design cues and technological advances Chrysler plans to implement on its first EVs.
It is defined, Chrysler said, by its “leading-edge drive-system technology, fully connected customer experiences and advanced mobility features” – features first alluded to in 2020.
This technology is likely to be rolled out to Chrysler’s European sibling brands – Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, Fiat and Alfa Romeo – as they each usher in bespoke EVs using new shared modular architecture.
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