Elegant luxury design coupled with advanced hydrogen fuel cell range-extended eElectric vehicle technology
Detroit, Michigan – Chrysler’s concept for 2008 – the ecoVoyager – marries an elegant American design with fuel cell Range-extended Electric Vehicle technology.
Featuring crisscrossing forms defined by hard lines with fluid intersections, the style vocabulary of the ecoVoyager embodies Chrysler’s harmonisation of functional technology with beautifully-styled exteriors and interiors.
The Chrysler ecoVoyager concept was developed for customers wanting a travel experience on par with a private jet, but without a lot of fancy gadgetry. They seek three critical attributes: elegance, simplicity and serenity.
Chrysler ecoVoyager concept technology
The all-new Chrysler ecoVoyager’s wheels are driven by an electric motor, with power primarily supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack for a typical daily commute of less than 64 km.
The electric motor develops 200 kW, enabling acceleration from 0 to 96 km/h in less than eight seconds. A regenerative braking system captures energy that would normally be lost and returns it to the battery, making the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept a very efficient and spacious vehicle.
The ecoVoyager takes advantage of a range extender – in this case, a small, advanced hydrogen fuel cell – to extend the vehicle range for occasional long trips. With this advanced technology, the Chrysler ecoVoyager’s total range is greater than 480 km, while no emissions – besides water vapor – come from the tailpipe along the way.
With the entire propulsion system located below the ecoVoyager’s floor, space is maximised for utility of passenger and cargo.
Chrysler ecoVoyager concept exterior
Expressive details of the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept include panoramic roof glass bisected by a centre spine, tight body overhangs and a dramatic boat-tail back end. The sinuous shapes of the window graphics, headlamps, taillamps and grille openings are inspired by Chrysler’s storied winged badge.
The curving trapezoidal shape of the ecoVoyager’s grille is echoed by the clear lens-covered shadow box that houses the rear license plate. The sloping backlight features a similar shape, emphasising the repeating harmony of the ecoVoyager’s design elements.
Other exterior touches on the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept include the elongated, flaring “light catchers” on the lower doors and the front and rear fascias, enhanced by the Polar Ice exterior colour.
Finally, side doors open a wide 90 degrees. Since the rear doors are hinged at the rear and there is no centre B-pillar, entrance into the ecoVoyager is virtually unimpeded.
Chrysler ecoVoyager concept interior
By placing the front wheels of the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept farther forward than usual, designers were able to create greater interior roominess and increased legroom, especially in the rear seats.
In the ecoVoyager’s spacious interior, the size, design and location of all controls have been rethought to provide its four pampered passengers the luxury of having every feature within effortless reach.
The ecoVoyager’s windscreen defroster and cabin air-conditioning outlets in the instrument panels and doors are invisible beneath a recessed perforated mesh. This avoids visually-disruptive sliding vanes and protruding knobs. Even the colour of the interior — soft Dove Gray with warm cherry wood accents — is designed to promote a relaxed ambiance.
The Chrysler ecoVoyager’s unconventional instrument panel features a broad, leather-covered angled surface, slightly V-shaped in plan view and fronted by a full-width display screen set just below the windscreen. The left and right outer ends of this non-glare screen contain the side-view mirror image, while a third camera image in front of the driver serves as the rearview mirror.
Unlike most instrument clusters, only currently-needed information is displayed, designed to be viewed above the steering wheel rim rather than through it (and requiring less up-down eye movement and refocusing). The front-seat passenger can view a movie without its moving images disturbing the driver. A slick, slide-out/retractable centre console – fitted with hot-key buttons and a mouse pad – replaces the functions contained in a conventional vertical centre console.
The ecoVoyager’s four individual chairs are contoured for personalised comfort. The seat framing is exposed, with under-seat storage drawers. Front seats have individual cantilevered, adjustable armrests containing the window controls and heat/massage switches, while individual rear-seat armrests fold into the cabin back panel. With the ability to store six bottles, the floor console dividing the rear seats accommodates hot or cold beverages.
A recessed area in the headliner between the two longitudinal skylights contains the “Direct Sound” function. With this feature, the musical entertainment choice of each individual occupant can be directed to him or her without the use of headphones, and without disturbing others in the car.
Sleek, refined, efficient and superbly comfortable, the Chrysler ecoVoyager concept vehicle offers a new experience in stress-free travel.
Chrysler ecoVoyager concept specifications
Vehicle type Range-extended electric vehicle (64 km all-electric range with hydrogen fuel cell range extender)
- Two-row seating, four-passenger
- Weight and dimensions
Weight/GVWR 1 247 kg/1 588 kg - Length 4 856 mm
- Width at H-point 1 915 mm
Height 1 600 mm - Wheelbase 2 946 mm
- Couple 1-2 1 154 mm
- Front overhang 864 mm
- Rear overhang 1 046 mm
- Track front/rear 1 666 mm
Approach angle 15.0 degrees - Departure angle 20.9 degrees
- Turn circle 12.2 m
- Maximum width 1 915 mm
Powertrain and suspension
- Layout Front wheel drive
- Motor Single electric
- Power: 200 kW
- Regenerative braking
- Battery 16 kWh Li-ion battery pack
- Range extender Hydrogen fuel cell, PEM 45kW
- 700bar high pressure tanks
- Suspension Front – MacPherson Strut
- Rear – MacPherson Strut
Wheels and tyres
- Tyre size front/rear P235/45R22x8 770mm
- Tyre manufacturer Goodyear
Colour scheme
Exterior Polar Ice Blue
Interior Dove Gray
Key performance attributes
0 – 96 km/h 8.8 seconds
0 – 400 m 12.9 seconds
Top speed 184 km/h
All-electric range 64 km
Total range 480 km
