Chrysler just blew the smithereens out of its reputation for staid and predictable cars with the unveiling of the Chrysler Halcyon Concept, the most astounding, jaw-dropping car design in the American company’s 99-year history.
Stellantis executives tell us that the Halcyon exemplifies the fully-electrified future of the Chrysler brand. That the relatively conservative company now embraces sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences and futuristic technology that expands on the brand’s “Harmony in Motion” ethos of customer-focused seamless connectivity.
What the Halcyon is really saying to us is “hubba hubba.” It’s one helluva sexy beast with its butterfly-hinged canopy and red-carpet-style side doors that create an open-air feel and easy access in and out of the vehicle. Halcyon Concept’s dramatic proportions create a low-to-the-ground profile with a front air blade aerodynamic pass-through that enhances performance and all-important BEV range capability. Most notably, it makes us forget that this is designed by the same company behind the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. The only DNA they have in common is the same number of wheels.
“The Chrysler Halcyon…showcases innovative and sustainable mobility solutions that embrace technology and offer value to customers while delivering Harmony in Motion,” said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO of Stellantis. “The Chrysler Halcyon Concept brings to life a fully electric tomorrow through new technology suites from Stellantis that integrate with simple and pure aerodynamic design and a seamless, connected and immersive cockpit experience.”
If this fantastic concept vehicle is truly a look inside the crystal ball predicting Chrysler’s future, we can’t wait to see what conceptual elements will spring to life in the brand’s production models to come.
Our fingers are crossed for rear seats that retract into trunk area for Stow ‘n Go seating; a dimmable glass canopy and windshield that can turn opaque with seats laid back for a unique augmented-reality Stargazing Mode; voice recognition to deploy steering wheel and control vehicle drive modes; a 800V lithium-sulfur EV battery leaving an estimated 60% lower carbon footprint than today’s best-in-class batteries; and most of all, technology to wirelessly recharge vehicle as it travels, allowing for unlimited range. We can live without butterfly-wing doors, but we sure don’t want to.
The Chrysler Halcyon Concept will surely never become a production model, but Chrysler is committed to launch the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle in 2025 and plans to have an all-electric portfolio by 2028. What the head-turning Halcyon truly does is grab out attention to the brand’s commitment to the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 plan. The plan cultivates the electrified and more efficient propulsion systems that will enable Stellantis to reach its admirable goal of cutting its global carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and to lead the transportation industry by achieving net carbon zero by 2038.
