No matter how much Chrysler tries to change up its Dodge EV, the fact remains that the car is essentially a Lotus Europa with Dodge badging. In an effort to make the vehicle more Dodge-like, Chrysler is bringing back the Dodge EV under a new name – Dodge Circuit EV – with a couple of its own cosmetic additions.

“The Dodge Circuit EV displays a bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance,” says Chrysler. But the only thing changed here is the front lower grille, a new rear-bumper, a new rear-spoiler and the relocation of the plug-in socket. Other than that it’s the same old Dodge EV colored in “Tangogreen” wearing large “EV” graphics on both sides.

The Chrysler ENVI drivetrain remains the same so you’re still going to get 268-hp with a 0 to 60 time of less than 5 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph. Once the lithium-ion battery pack has been fully charged, the power driven to the electric motor will still allow a 150 to 200 mile range.

It’s still a concept joining the range of other ENVI concepts and Chrysler has still not revealed which ENVI concept it will put into production. Nardelli – the clock is ticking sir.

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

Dodge Circuit EV:

At last year’s Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler threw a major press event outside Cobo center for the launch if it’s 2009 Dodge Ram pickup. Now, a year later, Chrysler is going to try something different and will show off the latest versions of the three electric vehicles it unveiled in September.

In September, Chrysler showed a gasoline-electric version of the Town & Country minivan known as the Chrysler EV; a gasoline-electric version of the Wrangler known as the Jeep EV; and an all-electric sports car based on Lotus carrying a Dodge EV badge.

According to Automotive News, the show version of the Dodge EV in Detroit will have more “Dodge-like” styling and could possibly be a four-passenger coupe.

All electric-vehicle products of the company come from its ENVI department. Chrysler said the ENVI will offer its first production vehicle by 2010, but it isn’t saying exactly which one will be offered to the market.

Dodge EV:

Chrysler EV:

Jeep EV:

• •  2-passenger, rear-wheel-drive fully-electric sports car.
• •  Powered by a 268-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.
• •  0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds; top speed of more than 120 mph
• •  It can beat the Dodge Challenger SRT8 in a 1/4 mile drag race.

We spotted the new Dodge EV hanging out in the Chrysler area at the 2008 LA Auto Show and thought we’d snap some pics of the car’s first auto show appearance that went overlooked. According to a previous report by Automotive News, Chrysler has plans to team up with Lotus to produce the Dodge EV.

The production model is expected to be fully-electric and will provide a range of 150 to 200 miles on a single charge. No word on where Chrysler and Lotus stand now with the current financial condition of Chrysler LLC, but we’d love to see this car on the roads very soon.

Dodge EV – Live from the 2008 LA Auto Show:

The show must go on – While it may seem like that American automakers don’t have enough cash to even build another unit of any model in their lineup, they continue to flaunt future products. During the Rose Bowl on Friday, Chrysler LLC brought out its three new electric-drive vehicle prototypes along with the guru of Chrysler electric-vehicles, Lou Rhodes.

Besides showing off the three prototypes that Lour Rhodes says are retrofitted for production, Chrysler put the Dodge EV, a fully-electric sports car that is based on the Lotus Europa, against its Dodge Challenger SRT8 in a drag race. We won’t tell you who won just yet so check out the video after the jump.

Automotive News has previously reported that Chrysler and Lotus are in talks to produce an electric sports car based on the Elise.

Refresher:

Dodge EV: Two-passenger electric rear-wheel-drive sports car powered by a 268-hp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. That allows for a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 5 seconds with a top speed of more than 120 mph. Chrysler says the Dodge EV can travel between 150 to 200 miles on a single charge.
Dodge Challenger SRT8: Power comes from a 6.1 liter HEMI V8 engine that produces 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. 0–60 mph comes in at the 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 170 mph.

Follow the jump for the video.

Source: Up to Speed

Chrysler today unveiled three EV prototypes including the Dodge EV, Chrysler EV and the Jeep EV. Chrysler isn’t saying anything about which prototype will enter production but says that it will select one to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets.

Which prototype would you like to see enter production and on the roads by 2010? Make your vote count in the poll below. But first read a little about all three below.

Dodge EV: A rear-wheel-drive roadster powered by a 268-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery with a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft. Chrysler claims that the Dodge EV can travel 150 to 200 miles on a single charge. 0 to 60 mph comes in under 5 seconds with a top speed of 120 mph. It’s what we voted for.

Chrysler EV: If you vote for this you’re probably a dad with at least 3 or more children. The front-wheel-drive Chrysler EV is powered by a 255-hp electric motor with a peak torque of 258 lb-ft. It allows for 40 miles on electric power alone on a single charge, after which 8 gallons of gasoline allows for 400 miles.

Jeep EV: The Jeep EV is for the treehugger off-roader enjoying mother nature. It’s powered by a 268-hp electric motor with a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft. Like the Chrysler EV, it allows for 40 miles of gas-free driving on a single charge before the 8 gallons of gasoline kicks in.

Click through for high-res images.

Chrysler’s EV Prototype Lineup:

Dodge EV:

Chrysler EV:

Jeep EV:

Chrysler and its ENVI division have finally released the official details on its three new electric-drive vehicle prototypes, one for each of its brands, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler. Chrysler said that it will select one of the prototypes to be produced for the North American market in 2010 and the European market after 2010. About a 100 Chrysler EVs will be on the road next year as a part of a fleet test. Chrysler showed the Dodge EV, Jeep EV and the Chrysler EV, demonstrating its new electric-drive technology in each segment – sports car, off-roader and a people hauler (otherwise known as a minivan).

The Dodge EV is a two-passenger electric rear-wheel-drive sports car powered by a 268-hp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. That allows for a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 5 seconds with a top speed of more than 120 mph. Chrysler says the Dodge EV can travel between 150 to 200 miles on a single charge.

The Jeep EV is a range-extended electric off-roader and also uses a 268-hp electric motor with a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft. It allows for 40 miles on electric power alone (much like the Chevy Volt), after which the 8 gallons of gasoline allows for a range of 400 miles.

The Chrysler EV, which we’re guessing will be the first one that Chrysler will put into production, is another a range-extended electric-vehicle powered by a 255-hp electric motor allowing for a 0-60 time of 9 seconds. It can travel 40 miles on electric power alone. After that, 8 gallons of gasoline allows for a range of 400 miles.

Click through for high-res images and the press release.

Chrysler’s EV Prototype Lineup:

Dodge EV:

Chrysler EV:

Jeep EV:

Press Release:

Chrysler LLC Surges Forward with Production-intent Electric Vehicles
 

Company Introduces Three Advanced Electric-drive Vehicle Prototypes

    – One targeted to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010
    – Chrysler LLC to have approximately 100 electric vehicles on the road in government, business, utility and development fleets in 2009
    – Chrysler electric-drive technology to be applied to front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms
    – Dodge EV: All-electric Performance Sports Car
    – Jeep® EV: Wrangler Range-extended Electric Vehicle to allow customers to roam the planet and take care of it at the same time
    – Chrysler EV: Town & Country Range-extended Electric Vehicle
    – Chrysler and General Electric pursue joint project with U.S. Department of Energy

 
Auburn Hills, Mich., Sep 23, 2008  -  Actions speak louder than words.

Chrysler LLC announced today that the Company and its ENVI organization have new production-intent, advanced electric-drive technology packaged in three different vehicles – one for each of its brands, Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge.

Chrysler will select one electric-drive model to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. Additionally, approximately 100 Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets in 2009.

The Company said that it is well into the development of advanced, production-intent electric vehicles, and that it will apply electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.

At its World Headquarters here today, Chrysler revealed its electric-drive prototypes – Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV – and demonstrated the driving performance and capability of each.

“We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO – Chrysler LLC. “The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market.”

ENVI Organization
The development of Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles and Range-extended Electric Vehicles is led by ENVI – representing the first four letters of “environmental” – the Company’s in-house organization that was formed to focus on electric-drive production vehicles and related advanced technologies. The development of electric-drive systems for future Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles is maturing quickly.

“ENVI was created just over one year ago with the strategic intent to develop electric-drive vehicles quickly for Chrysler, and it is surpassing expectations,” said Tom LaSorda, Vice Chairman and President – Chrysler LLC. “With ENVI, Chrysler is developing technology to bring Electric Vehicles and extremely fuel-efficient Range-extended Electric Vehicles to market.”

Electric Vehicle Technology
Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles utilize just three primary components. These include an electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor and a controller that manages energy flow. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications.

“This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150- to 200-mile driving range – far exceeding most Americans’ daily commutes, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year,” said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler LLC. “Electric Vehicles provide the opportunity to fulfill social responsibility, reduce dependency on foreign oil, and eliminate monthly gasoline bills, while delivering performance and utility that our customers desire.”

Range-extended Electric Vehicle Technology
The Range-extended Electric Vehicle combines the electric-drive components of the Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today’s gasoline-powered vehicles – with no compromises in performance.

Range-extended Electric Vehicles offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, comfort or utility.

Dodge EV
The Dodge EV development Electric Vehicle is a two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive sports car that marries high performance with zero tailpipe emissions.

“The Dodge EV sets a new standard for what can be expected in electric-drive vehicles,” said Lou Rhodes, Vice President – Advance Vehicle Engineering, and President – ENVI. “The electric-vehicle technology enables a fun-to-drive performance sports car and helps redefine the vision of an environmentally responsible vehicle for the Dodge brand.”

The electric-drive system consists of three primary components: a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery and an integrated power controller.

The 200 kW electric-drive motor generates 650 N•m (480 lb.-ft.) of torque. The instant high torque of the electric-drive motor delivers outstanding performance, accelerating the Dodge EV to 60 mph in less than five seconds, with quarter-mile times of 13 seconds. The Dodge EV has a top speed of more than 120 mph.

Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge EV has a continuous driving range of 150 to 200 miles – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet for eight hours. The recharge time can be cut in half to four hours by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

The Dodge EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.

Jeep EV
The Jeep EV development vehicle is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future of a “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” vehicle with renowned Jeep Wrangler capability.

The Jeep EV combines Wrangler’s unmatched off-road capability with the ultimate “Tread Lightly” mindset by providing nature ambassadors with the ability to roam the planet and take care of it at the same time.

The Jeep EV Range-extended Electric Vehicle uses an electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. The 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor generates 400 N•m (295 lb.-ft.) of torque. With approximately eight gallons of gasoline, the Jeep EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.

“We are also exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of ENVI’s advanced electric-drive technologies,” said Rhodes.

The instant high torque of the electric-drive motor and the ability to precisely control each wheel independently results in off-road capability ideally suited for the Jeep brand, without compromising on-road driving capability.

Chrysler EV
The Chrysler EV development vehicle is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that demonstrates another possible application of ENVI electric-drive technology in the segment-leading Chrysler Town & Country minivan.

“With the Chrysler EV, we are able to blend seven-passenger capability and the luxury of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan with electric-drive technology, demonstrating family practicality with zero compromise,” said Rhodes. “ENVI’s electric-drive development vehicles showcase our accelerated application of electric-drive systems into a wide range of vehicles in Chrysler’s future product portfolio.”

The Chrysler EV combines the electric-drive components of an Electric Vehicle with an integrated small-displacement engine and generator to produce additional electricity to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides all of the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle and extends the driving range to be equivalent to today’s gasoline-powered vehicles – without compromises.

The Chrysler EV uses a 190 kW (255 horsepower) motor, producing 350 N•m (258 lb.-ft.) of torque, providing 0 to 60 mph acceleration in approximately nine seconds. The Chrysler EV Range-extended Electric Vehicle can drive 40 miles on all-electric power, and boasts a range of 400 miles on approximately eight gallons of gasoline. This makes the Chrysler EV the perfect fuel-efficient family vehicle.

The knowledge and experience gained from the Chrysler EV will be applied to other front-wheel-drive applications in Chrysler’s portfolio.

Chrysler LLC Electric-vehicle Consumer Web Site
Chrysler LLC has launched a Web site – www.Chryslergoeselectric.com – to allow consumers to view the latest updates on Electric Vehicles and Range-extended Electric Vehicles from the Company. Content will include videos, photography and news, and visitors can sign up for updates. In addition, the site features a blog where consumers can interact directly with the Company.

Department of Energy Cooperative Agreement
Chrysler and General Electric are jointly pursuing a project with the United States Department of Energy to explore advanced energy-storage technology.

“Chrysler’s partnership with General Electric combines the electric-drive technology demonstrated in the Chrysler Electric Vehicles, with GE’s research and development of advanced energy storage systems,” said Klegon. “Our collective goal working with the DOE is to develop a new, integrated energy-storage system to make electric vehicle battery packs smaller and significantly less expensive than current designs.”

Chrysler and GE will develop and evaluate dual-battery solutions based on GE’s unique technology.

“One of the challenges with electric vehicles is finding a battery with the correct balance between power – for example, during vehicle acceleration – and energy for long driving range,” said Klegon. “We believe that combining two unique battery chemistries – one biased toward power and the other toward energy – into a single battery pack is very promising for a future Chrysler Electric Vehicle.”

There’s about an hour left before Chrysler gives us the details on its new electric-vehicle onslaught. Before we you bring you all that detailed new, Automotive News is reporting that Chrysler and Lotus are in talks to produces an electric sports car based on the Elise.

Pictured above, the Dodge EV will be based on the Lotus Elise and will go from 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds while providing 150 to 200 miles on a single charge. Seems like Tesla Motors will have a mass-market rival.

“Lotus has a lot of experience with lightweight vehicles and aluminum structures,” Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development said at a press event this morning. “We have experience with propulsion systems.”

Chrysler has yet to give a time frame (we’re hearing from other sources that it may be around 2010) or any details on what a car like the Dodge EV will cost.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) Image: CNBC