Next-Gen Electric Chrysler SUV: No Longer Airflow in Name or Design

903 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by DeeAgeaux, 13 d ago

nadepalma

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

Next-Gen Electric Chrysler SUV: No Longer Airflow in Name or Design
New Chrysler boss pushed for a new, more modern design for the brand’s first EV than what we got with the Airflow concept.
Alisa Priddle
May 16, 2023
motortrend.com

New boss, new look. We have seen the Chrysler Airflow concept for enough years and iterations to fall into the belief it is the production-ready crossover that will be the first all-electric vehicle for the Chrysler brand when it goes on sale in 2025. At one time that was the plan. But Chrysler has always been nimbler and more fluid than many of its competitors—and Stellantis chief design officer Ralph Gilles is used to crafting multiple takes on future vehicles before a final design gets the green light.

That is the case with Chrysler's new large two-row crossover, which he says has a more modern design than the Airflow concept. The change comes at the direction of Chrysler Brand CEO Chris Feuell who came into the job with a new eye and rulebook she wants to play by. "Chris came at it with her perspective which we really enjoyed," Gilles says. "She wanted a statement that had literally zero to do with anything that you have seen today, even the Airflow concept car. It is evolving in a new direction."

CONTINUE AT LINK ABOVE

Save

Reactions: 2

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

nadepalma

Discussion Starter · #2 · 15 d ago

Don't know if this is a smart move or not.

If you read the article, it seems as though they're halting this as they transition the product to the new STLA EV platform. And if that's true, it would make sense that everything about the product will change. And if you buy into the rationale, it may be "smarter" to take advantage of a new product architecture that was created post merger than stick to an older platform that underpins the concept.

On the other hand, Chrysler is starved for products and this isn't going to help anything in the shorter term.

The fact that they're killing the Airflow name is probably a good thing. The Airflow is iconic, but it belongs to history. Auto geeks like us aside, it is a name that is meaningless to the vast number of consumers. Better to leave it on the shelf than attempt to superimpose the name on something modern.

Save

Reactions: 1

AWHoden

· #3 · 15 d ago

That's a shame, the Airflow was a nice looking car that was 90% ready for the street.

Save

Reactions: 5

DeeAgeaux

· #4 · 15 d ago

Unlike many Chrysler nameplates, the Airflow name doesn't have negative equity in the market place.

They could use it just as well as any other name.

I don't think they are changing platforms. It was always STLA large. They just decided on more "progressive" and "futuristic" design and different name than Airflow.

Save

rmc523

· #5 · 15 d ago

nadepalma said:
Don't know if this is a smart move or not.

If you read the article, it seems as though they're halting this as they transition the product to the new STLA EV platform. And if that's true, it would make sense that everything about the product will change. And if you buy into the rationale, it may be "smarter" to take advantage of a new product architecture that was created post merger than stick to an older platform that underpins the concept.

On the other hand, Chrysler is starved for products and this isn't going to help anything in the shorter term.

The fact that they're killing the Airflow name is probably a good thing. The Airflow is iconic, but it belongs to history. Auto geeks like us aside, it is a name that is meaningless to the vast number of consumers. Better to leave it on the shelf than attempt to superimpose the name on something modern.

I didn't even know Airflow was an old Chrysler name. I guarantee 95% of the market wouldn't either.

Save

Reactions: 4

4gm

· #6 · 14 d ago

I think it's the right move. It looked too much like the Equinox EV, IMO. Since the Equinox will be first to market it would have seemed like Chrysler was copying Chevy.

Save

BlackGTP

· #7 · 14 d ago

So the pictures are the concept that is NOT representative of what will be produced, correct?

Kind of glad about that. While I find the pictured concept to be nice, I'd call it "contemporary BEV CUV", kind of like the new Dodge Hornet (even though it is ICE - I'm talking styling, not propulsion). Nice, smooth and flowing, but could just as easily be a Buick or a Subaru. I'd like to see something more compelling out of Chrysler, especially if it is to remain a brand without many nameplates. Same goes for Dodge's Hornet - doesn't seem in line with a brand that is synonymous with today's ultra-masculine Charger and Challenger.

Save

Reactions: 1

rmc523

· #8 · 14 d ago

BlackGTP said:
So the pictures are the concept that is NOT representative of what will be produced, correct?

Kind of glad about that. While I find the pictured concept to be nice, I'd call it "contemporary BEV CUV", kind of like the new Dodge Hornet (even though it is ICE - I'm talking styling, not propulsion). Nice, smooth and flowing, but could just as easily be a Buick or a Subaru. I'd like to see something more compelling out of Chrysler, especially if it is to remain a brand without many nameplates. Same goes for Dodge's Hornet - doesn't seem in line with a brand that is synonymous with today's ultra-masculine Charger and Challenger.

Well, that's because Hornet is just a rebadged Tonale with a couple of grafted-on "Dodge" styling cues.

I think the Airflow concept looked nice, but would agree it's rather generic.

Save

Reactions: 2

bmwboy2007

· #9 · 14 d ago

BlackGTP said:
So the pictures are the concept that is NOT representative of what will be produced, correct?

Kind of glad about that. While I find the pictured concept to be nice, I'd call it "contemporary BEV CUV", kind of like the new Dodge Hornet (even though it is ICE - I'm talking styling, not propulsion). Nice, smooth and flowing, but could just as easily be a Buick or a Subaru. I'd like to see something more compelling out of Chrysler, especially if it is to remain a brand without many nameplates. Same goes for Dodge's Hornet - doesn't seem in line with a brand that is synonymous with today's ultra-masculine Charger and Challenger.

The problem they have with that is the same problem nearly all these SUV/CUV designs have. Nearly all of them look like they could have been built by nearly anyone else. No brand (with the possible exception of Cadillac with Lyriq) has been able to establish a unique instantly recognizable SUV design language.

Save

Reactions: 5

CJH

· #10 · 14 d ago

bmwboy2007 said:
Nearly all of them look like they could have been built by nearly anyone else. No brand (with the possible exception of Cadillac with Lyriq) has been able to establish a unique instantly recognizable SUV design language.

Range Rover - instantly recongnizable. And if you are talking about CUV's, then Velar. It looks like a mini RR, but a bit sleeker.

Save

Reactions: 1

bmwboy2007

· #11 · 14 d ago

CJH said:
Range Rover - instantly recongnizable. And if you are talking about CUV's, then Velar. It looks like a mini RR, but a bit sleeker.

Yeah, but Range Rover has been its own thing for decades; nearly everyone else is a Johnny come lately..

Save

MisterMe

· #12 · 13 d ago

bmwboy2007 said:
The problem they have with that is the same problem nearly all these SUV/CUV designs have. Nearly all of them look like they could have been built by nearly anyone else. No brand (with the possible exception of Cadillac with Lyriq) has been able to establish a unique instantly recognizable SUV design language.

You are much too kind to Stellantis for the Airflow concept. IMHO, when you bring an iconic model name out of retirement, then the new application should evoke the spirit of the original. The 1934 Airflow was not a commercial success, but it was a revolutionary vehicle that changed the automobile business around the globe. It was most noted for its aerodynamic design. However, the Airflow also revolutionized vehicle construction with all steel bodies. Although the Airflow did not survive to see the 1940s, much of the competition had adopted Airflow features by 1940.

The original Airflow was a production car. The Airflow concept has no mandate to make a sale. It is only required to show that Stellantis still has a pulse. The Airflow badge gives Stellantis the opportunity to show that it retains the revolutionary spirit of the original Airflow. Instead, it is labored mightily to produce a mouse. My response to the Airflow concept can be summarized by one word: Meh. The Charger EV and Jeep concepts are much better.

See less See more

Save