The Chrysler EV, An Electric Hybrid Town & Country

Introduced in conjunction with Chrysler ENVI’s electric hybrid 3-vehicle line-up, the Chrysler EV is a hybrid version of Chrysler’s current minivan offering, the Chrysler Town & Country. Ipso facto, the Chrysler EV is also a vehicle that no one, save for that overzealous mom who runs the local PTA, could ever possibly want. Fortunately, although Chrysler has admitted that only one of the three extended-range electric vehicles will make it to production, it hasn’t revealed which one, allowing us the glimmer of hope that it won’t be the Chrysler EV.

Despite the fact that its official classification as a minivan earns it our scathing ire, like the other two Chrysler ENVI vehicles, the Chrysler EV’s fuel-efficient engineering and innovative technology is actually pretty impressive.

Chrysler EV photo gallery after the jump

With the same electronic drive train application as both the Dodge EV and the Jeep EV, the Chrysler EV minivan is powered by a gasoline-powered small displacement engine that is integrated to function in tandem with an electric generator, both of which provide additional power to the Chrysler’s electronic drive system. The motor itself produces a zippy 9 second 0-60 mph acceleration time and produces 255-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It also provides zero tailpipe emissions, and like it’s two ENVI siblings, features a fuel consumption average of approximately 50 mpg, or 400 miles per every 8 gallons of gasoline.

In addition to serving as a preview of what could possibly translate into a production model, the Chrysler EV also serves as a rubric for future, as yet unreleased vehicles. According to Chrysler, the knowledge and experience gained from engineering the Chrysler EV “will be applied to other front-wheel drive applications in Chrysler’s portfolio.”

We say: Chalk the Chrysler EV up to experience, and give us the Jeep EV.

[Photo Cred: Jalopnik]

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2007 Detroit Auto Show: Honda Accord Coupe Concept

Honda showed a glimpse of the future of one of its biggest sellers today, and that future looks pretty bright. The Accord Coupe concept is a definitive look at what the next generation of the two-and-four-door will look like. If the past is any indication — and we have no reason to believe it isn’t — Honda will closely follow the style you see here, hopefully with a revised grille. In fact, word just coming from the floor is that even Honda is now saying this is pretty much what we’re going to get when it eventually comes to market.

There wasn’t definitive talk of the engine other than there will be a more fuel-efficient V-6 under the hood with cylinder deactivation.

We could see a more finished product as soon as the Chicago or New York auto shows later this year — perhaps even a four-door version of the concept.

KickingTires' Coverage of the Detroit Auto Show

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2007 Detroit Auto Show: Ford Interceptor Concept

The Ford Interceptor Concept is jaw-dropping, but not necessarily in a good way. While we can’t talk about the rest of what Ford will be unveiling at Detroit until next week, the Interceptor is by far one of our least favorites, at least to the eye. Quickly, we’ll tell you about the stuff you can’t see for yourself in these pictures. The Interceptor is based on an elongated Mustang platform, bringing rear-wheel drive performance to a new Ford sedan. Powering the Interceptor is a modified version of the Mustang’s V-8 engine that is actually used in racing circuits. In this car it would produce 400 hp and run on E85.

All the underpinnings sound fine to us, and in all likelihood could end up in a future Ford sedan. What we can’t fathom in the least is the sloppy design. Even the head of Ford’s design group said the front end is borrowed from last year’s F-250 Super Chief concept. The Super Chief was a pickup, folks. The resulting “warmed-over” look, then, is no accident. We still don’t understand why Ford doesn’t look to its European arm for design inspiration. The Ford Mondeo is a good-looking car that just went on sale in Europe, and the Iosis concept from a few years back was one of the best-looking concepts we can remember. Alas, we’re left with a sedan suffering from an inferiority complex caused by the Chrysler 300C. That’s a shame.

Updated: We've added a number of Interceptor photos below which shows off its best side. The profile.

We'll also have much more information about the Interceptor when we get to the Detroit auto show on January 7.

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U.S. Army commissions a Diesel Hybrid prototype of potential HUMVEE replacement

The U.S. Army has assigned $4.88 million dollars toward a prototype of a a diesel hybrid that could some day replace the battle tested HUMVEE. It would be powered by an electric motor that is capable of moving zero-to-forty in 4 seconds and can also run in full silent mode for a certain distance. The recharge on the prototypes battery pack would come from an onboard diesel engine that has yet to be determined.

The prototype has been built by Quantum Technologies out of Irvine, California and is being called the U.S. Army Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV) Aggressor. The powerplant choice behind the car is to help alleviate the expense and logistic planning required to keep the U.S. Army mobile. (more…)

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Is a pint sized SUV really the next phase of evolution for the Mini line-up?

The Mini Clubman is just about to be released on the free world and already Mini may be in the works for another new model. The Mini Cooper SUV was first demonstrated at the NAIAS and gave an indication of what the future of Mini may be: Bigger. The Mini SUV would be supposedly built upon the same Clubman chassis only with more ground clearance and All-Wheel Drive.

Wait! An All-Wheel Drive Mini? A larger Mini? So while the Mini is getting larger Hummer’s are getting smaller. Pretty soon what will they have to fight about? What happens when David and Goliath are the same size? Sure, it might be a fair fight but what is so heroic about that? (more…)

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New Accord Coupe Concept Will Debut at Detroit Auto Show

This sketch gives us a glimpse of the Accord Coupe Concept that Honda will debut at the Detroit auto show in early January. The concept will be a blueprint for the next-generation Accord coupe and sedan. Just from this teaser image we can clearly see the next Accord will have a much more aggressive design. The Accord is Honda’s best-selling model, so any redesign is extremely significant.

Source: Honda

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