A clenched fist just fits between the body and the asphalt of the Chrysler Halcyon Concept Car. The streamlined chassis floats just ten centimeters above the ground and is a challenge to aerodynamic drag. Like the entire industry, the US car brand Chrysler is also facing a profound change. Its entire car portfolio is to be electrified by 2028. Uncompromising aerodynamics and inductive charging technology play a decisive role here, as Chrysler has another clear goal for the cars of the future: unlimited range.
»The Chrysler Halcyon Concept brings to life a fully electric tomorrow through new technology suites from Stellantis, that integrate simple and pure aerodynamic design and a seamless, connected and immersive cockpit experience,« says Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell. The brand speaks of »Harmony in Motion« in its vehicle design and of harmony with the planet in its choice of materials. In the interior, 95 percent of the materials are to be sustainable. By this Chrysler means synthetic leather alternatives combined with natural elements such as real wood and a high proportion of recycled materials. The brand-typical wing logo on the steering wheel, door sill trims and front seats is made from 100 percent recycled CDs. The brand is thus integrating not only sustainability, but also a piece of US history into its concept vehicle.
The recycled CDs represent the music culture and heritage of the city of Detroit. For a long time, the city in the state of Michigan was the most important production site for cars from the USA. At the same time, a musical cultural center was created in the industrial environment of the factories. For example, the world-famous record label Motown was founded here. The music producer Berry Gordy Jr. helped black artists to achieve such great success that, for the first time, they were able to overshadow the previously dominant white musicians. If Chrysler has its way, the brand’s electric cars will be similarly successful in the future, outshining all combustion engines with their range. Streamlined body design is essential for this.
A headlight cannot sit much lower. A thin and continuous LED draws a clear edge on the front of the Chrysler Halcyon Concept. An illuminated brand logo is set centrally above it. The windshield of the concept vehicle extends to the edges of the front end. There are no door handles. The doors and transparent roof sections with butterfly hinges are designed to open automatically via biometric identification of the owner. Instead of side mirrors, there are blade-like camera arms. Aerodynamic efficiency is also the top priority for the 22-inch rims in turbine design. However, we know from experience that large rims are counterproductive for the range. This is because the larger the rim, the higher the rolling resistance and thus the power consumption. But Chrysler confidently states »unlimited« as the predicted range.
But for an unlimited range, the car brand from the USA naturally needs more than radical aerodynamics. Chrysler therefore refers to a technology called Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT). Inductive charging plates already work to some extent today if electric cars equipped for this purpose are parked on them. To charge the battery while driving, however, this technology would of course have to be installed under the road. The Stellantis car company, which now owns the Chrysler brand, is already experimenting with DWPT technology on a racetrack in Italy – but it will be decades before public roads can actually be equipped with this technology. This fact also shows that Chrysler’s concept car is not a vision of tomorrow, but of the day after tomorrow. [FJS]
