Stellantis will unveil an electric Chrysler Airflow concept at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 5 to showcase its EV strategy.
The automaker teases a likely concept of Airflow for the first time as part of the sweeping electrification plan unveiling in July, including an all-electric Ram 1500 pickup and a Dodge muscle car due in 2024.
The name Airflow dates back to 1934. The original Chrysler Airflow (actually a family of models) was the first production vehicle designed to create low aerodynamic drag using a wind tunnel. That gave it a distinctive streamlined look that was not to the tastes of most buyers at the time. Chrysler quickly reset the Airflow, then removed it completely after 1937.
1934 Chrysler Airflow on Jay Leno’s Garage
Though it was a low sales pitch, the Airflow’s focus on aerodynamics, as well as its all-steel construction, set the tone for future cars. Given the importance of low drag to maximize efficiency and range, Airflow also seems like an appropriate reference for EVs.
This will be the second recent Airflow concept. Chrysler also used the name for the Airflow Vision that debuted at CES in 2020.
Stellantis claims a total four platforms for electric vehicles under development, offering up to 500 miles of range and up to 4.3 kWh/mile of performance.
4 Dedicated EV Platforms – Stellantis EV Day 2021
The company signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Energy Solution for potential battery supply in North Americaand is funding the developer of the solid-state battery Factorial.
However, CEO Carlos Tavares has said that the added cost of producing electric vehicles is “exceeding“for what the industry can sustain.
Chrysler’s only current plug-in vehicle is Pacifica Hybrid mini truck. Also available with a conventional petrol powertrain, the Pacifica (along with the Voyager sub-model) itself makes up one of half of Chrysler’s current lineup, along with 300 sedans.
