American brand Chrysler, part of Stellantis, has unveiled a concept crossover under the name Chrysler Airflow. This is a historical name, which originally belonged to a representative model produced in 1934-1937 – recall that it was the world’s first production car with an aerodynamically designed body.
The new Chrysler Airflow is based on the promising modular platform Stellatnis STLA, which initially assumed the use of an electric power plant and, in principle, did not provide for the use of internal combustion engines. The car is based on the STLA Medium modification, designed for mid-size cars and crossovers.
The design uses two electric motors of 150 kW (204 hp) each, they are installed on the axles and provide the car with permanent four-wheel drive. The electric motors are made in modules that combine the motor itself, the gear train and the inverter. On a single charge, the car can travel from 563 to 643 km.
The body is five-door, universal, the hood is short, the cabin is long. Coupled with the spaced “corners” of the wheels, this maximized the amount of usable space in the cabin.
The prototype has an electronic architecture STLA Brain, with the help of which updates for the chassis and media system are downloaded via satellite Internet.
Interior of Chrysler Airflow
In the cabin, there are individual media screens for each passenger, in addition to entertainment, the system has the ability to download and install additional applications, as well as make purchases through marketplaces. Each screen is combined with a front-facing video camera, that is, passengers can talk with other subscribers via video communication or participate in video conferences on the go.
Chrysler Airflow is equipped with the AutoDrive autopilot system, which meets the third level of automation according to the classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). That is, with activated AutoDrive, the car itself can move in the stream, brake and turn. The driver is not required to react immediately (he can read a book or watch a movie), however, within the limited time specified by the manufacturer, he must be ready to take over.
Wide doorways and a flat floor make it easy to get in and out of the vehicle. The sense of spaciousness in the cabin is enhanced by the one-piece glass panoramic roof.
Exterior of Chrysler Airflow
The exterior of the car is made deliberately restrained in style, but modern and streamlined. The tapered LED headlights are visually combined with an illuminated pattern that echoes the configuration of the wings of the Chrysler logo. In order to improve streamlining on the body, the number of protruding elements was minimized – for example, the door handles are made retractable, like in Tesla or Land Rover Range Rover .
The production version of the Airflow will be close to this show car and will go into production in 2025. Stellantis has high hopes for it, because today the Chrysler brand is “barely breathing” – its range consists of only two models: the full-size Pacifica van and the 300 business class sedan .
