FCA: This Futuristic Chrysler EV Concept Could Redefine Electric Mobility

Chrysler may not be the first brand that comes to mind when you think of cutting-edge EV innovation, but the new Halcyon concept could change that. Unveiled as a sleek, forward-thinking vision of what electric mobility might look like in the coming decade, the Halcyon is Chrysler's boldest step yet toward a fully electrified future. The last ten years have shown how quickly technology can develop, with innovative features quickly making their way into the mainstream. There is a lot to be excited about just on the horizon, and Chrysler's Halcyon concept dives into some of the ways that things like AI, autonomous driving, and sustainability will become more entrenched in EVs. This article dives deeper into what makes the Halcyon such an important concept, from its battery technology and charging innovations to its eco-conscious design and autonomous features. Even though it is just a concept vehicle, it lays out a pretty good roadmap for what the future of EVs could look like. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed. Related Table of Contents Mind-Blowing Concept Cars That Are Shaping The Future Of Cars Bold innovations and designs that are steering the future of cars. Where many concept cars look far into the future, showcasing technology and design that may never make it on to our roads, Chryseler has designed the Halcyon to represent the next step in EV development. It not only outlines Chrysler's future, but it shows what most EV manufacturers are striving for. Right now, Chrysler only sells the Pacifica and Voyager minivans in the U.S., which is why it's interesting that such a sleek-looking concept would come out of their offices. The brand has committed to expanding its lineup, with a new EV set to debut this year and Chrysler expecting to have an all-electric lineup by 2028. The Halcyon is a curvy four-door sedan, with rear-hinged back doors. It is an EV that puts an emphasis on the future of artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, but still allows you to take the wheel. On top of this, it aims to eliminate range anxiety and the woes of EV charging through a number of innovative methods. The technology shown in the Halcyon concept may not be readily available, but it isn't far fetched either. Electric vehicle manufacturers currently focus pretty heavily on autonomous driving, long-range batteries, and AI-powered cabins. Chrysler has just given us a snapshot of what they think the next step is in each of these areas. The Halcyon is actually a pretty realistic concept, and genuinely does a good job of showing us what electric vehicles could look like in the next ten years. Its heavy focus on sustainability is a good representation of the original mission of electric vehicles. It retaining its steering wheel also exhibits how the enjoyment that driving offers will never go away for some, no matter how good autonomous technology becomes. Related These Are the High-Tech Chinese EVs the U.S. Is Missing Out On China is producing some truly impressive EVs that, for now, won't be making their way to the U.S. market. Front 3/4 shot of the 2024 Chrysler Halcyon The Halcyon is clearly meant to be a sporty luxury car, with coupe-like styling and a brilliantly low profile. We hope Chrysler takes the leap into the sporting world with cars resembling the Halcyon concept. Even more interesting is the battery and charging technology that the concept car proposes. Battery power and range are two of the most important things to EV buyers. This is why so many automakers are developing new ways to extend range and reduce charging times. The Halcyon concept features an 800-volt lithium-sulfur battery, which means that every minute it charges you get an additional 40 miles of range. The Halcyon concept also demonstrates interesting technology that could be just on the horizon. It utilizes inductive charging, making use of properly equipped roadways to charge its battery wirelessly as it drives. This technology isn't as outlandish as it sounds, with it already in development in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, most EVs offer level two autonomy, meaning that they can conduct some driving tasks on their own under supervision from the driver. Some have begun to integrate level three autonomy, which means the vehicle can operate with minimum supervision, allowing the driver to perform a second task. The Halcyon outlines the natural next step in autonomous driving, with the car able to operate without any human intervention. Drivers who want to control the vehicle directly can use voice commands to deploy the steering wheel. This allows drivers to enjoy the sporty dynamics of this low-profile car directly. It will still offer advanced driver assist systems, giving you peace of mind that the intelligent vehicle has your back to prevent any accidents. Related This Hyundai Electric Car Concept Is a Time Warp on Wheels The Heritage Series Grandeur is a modern take on Hyundai's 1986 flagship sedan. Shot of the AR windshield on the 2024 Chrysler Halcyon Technology in vehicles has come a long way in a very short period of time. The next big breakthrough is likely to be related to artificial intelligence. The Halcyon recognizes this and showcases the way in which Chrysler thinks that AI will become a focal point , particularly in luxury vehicles. The world is becoming more and more connected as time goes on, with just about everything in our lives becoming 'smart'. The Halcyon shows how vehicles can take the next step in this direction. It starts the day in Prepare Mode, where it gathers information about events during the day, the weather, and any other data from your smart network. When you approach the Halcyon, it enters Welcome Mode, using biometric identification. The driver is the 'key', with biometrics used to open the door and load your personalized profile. Everything in the cabin, from ambient lighting to seating positions, then automatically adjusts to your liking. People have been actively rebelling against the overuse of touchscreens in vehicles. The Halcyon combats digital overload in a unique way, by offering a near 360-degree view of the outside world as you're driving. The 15.6-inch display that it does have is stowable, meaning you can use it when you need but otherwise it remains hidden. Related These Are the Cheapest Electric Cars Currently on Sale in The U.S. Offering great value, impressive range, and eco-friendly driving, these new EVs won't break the bank if you're in the market for a new ride. One of the original ideas behind the creation of electric vehicles was to create a more sustainable transport network. While electric vehicles do achieve this to some degree, the Halcyon shows that there are ways we could be doing more. This is in line with the main aims of electrification. Chrysler aims to make the production of electric vehicles a more sustainable practice in a number of ways. One area is the Halcyon's battery, which is lithium-sulfur instead of lithium-ion. This reduces the footprint of the battery by about 60 percent. Sulfur is more abundant and less expensive and also has a lower environmental impact. This pairs with emission-free driving perfectly. The charging infrastructure is also more environmentally friendly as it makes use of existing road structures instead of the need to develop specific areas for charging. Chrysler claims that the interior of the Halcyon uses fully sustainable materials . This includes using recycled plastics as well as using plant-based composites and eco-friendly upholstery. Chrysler doesn't stop there, though, as they think about the end-of-life implications of a vehicle. The Halcyon is designed with future recyclability in mind. This essentially means that when the vehicle reaches the end of its life, it can be reclaimed and repurposed. If you're going to claim to be environmentally friendly, as many automakers do, you have to start to look at the big picture in this way. This approach certainly makes sense for a lot of EV manufacturers. Source link