The American brand Chrysler, which is part of Stellantis, presented a concept crossover under the name Airflow. This is a historical name, which in the original belonged to a representative model produced in 1934-1937 - we recall that it was the world's first mass-produced car with an aerodynamically designed body.
The basis of the new Airflow is the promising modular platform Stellatnis STLA, which initially involves the use of an electric power plant and, in principle, does 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 with a capacity of 150 kW (204 hp) each, they are mounted on axles and provide the car with permanent all-wheel drive. 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 cab is long. Together with the wheels placed “at the corners”, this maximized the amount of usable space in the cabin.
The prototype has the STLA Brain electronic architecture, with the help of which updates for the chassis and media system are downloaded via satellite Internet.
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 to other subscribers via video link or participate in video conferences right on the go.
Chrysler Airflow is equipped with the AutoDrive autopilot system, which meets the third level of automation according to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) classification. That is, with AutoDrive activated, the car itself can move in the stream, brake and turn. The driver is not required to react immediately (may be reading a book or watching a movie), but within a limited time specified by the manufacturer, he must be ready to take control.
Thanks to wide doorways and a flat floor, getting in and out of the car is simplified. The feeling of spaciousness in the cabin is enhanced by a one-piece glass panoramic roof.
The exterior of the car is made deliberately restrained in style, but modern and streamlined. The tapered LED headlights are visually united by an illuminated ornament that mimics the wings of the Chrysler logo. For the sake of improving the 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 enter 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 Pacifica full-size van and the 300 business class sedan.
Chrysler showed a prototype of a mass-produced electric car under a historical name
