Chrysler's Halcyon Concept: Reviving the Prestige of the Minivan Legacy

Chrysler aims to release its first electric vehicle (EV) in 2025, but the path to this goal seems to be shifting. In 2022, Chrysler introduced the Airflow, a concept car acting as a teaser for its upcoming EV. However, Chrysler has now unveiled a new EV concept called the Halcyon.

While the Airflow was a stylish yet practical crossover SUV, the Halcyon is more imaginative. This sleek, four-door vehicle looks like Chrysler’s take on the Porsche Taycan. It even features front-fender air outlets similar to the Porsche, along with a sliding rear diffuser and a rear spoiler to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase range. An air suspension system adjusts to further improve efficiency or the driving experience, according to Chrysler.

The Halcyon stands out with its unique design elements, such as suicide doors and a canopy roof section, creating a spacious entrance for getting in and out. Its curved windshield offers a panoramic forward view but could make front-seat passengers feel the heat in direct sunlight. Inside, the car boasts 95% sustainable materials, including suede upholstery from 73% recycled plastic bottles, polyester trim from 100% recycled fabric, and Chrysler logos on the seats and steering wheel made from recycled CDs.

The Halcyon is designed with autonomous driving in mind. The steering wheel and pedals can retract when not in use, and the rear seats move into the trunk area while the front seats slide back. Although Stellantis has not set a firm date for rolling out self-driving cars, Chrysler mentioned that the folding rear seats hint at a future iteration of the Stow ‘n Go seating found in its minivans.

The car’s infotainment system features a dashboard-spanning transparent display, complemented by a 15.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen on a glass center console and an augmented reality head-up display. Noteworthy features include over-the-air updates, a voice-activated digital assistant, predictive navigation, and the capability to watch movies or play video games in autonomous mode.

The Halcyon uses the STLA Large platform, which will also underpin the forthcoming Jeep Wagoneer S electric SUV and future models of the Dodge Charger and Challenger with both electric and gasoline options. The concept includes lithium-sulfur batteries that Chrysler claims have a 60% lower carbon footprint compared to other EV batteries and is designed for in-motion inductive charging, which allows the car to charge while driving via special hardware embedded in the road—if such infrastructure is ever developed.

Chrysler still maintains that it will launch its first EV in 2025, targeting a fully electric lineup by 2028, but the situation remains unclear. There are no production plans for the Halcyon, and in 2023, Motor Trend reported that CEO Christine Feuell had decided against producing an EV based on the Airflow concept.

Regardless of what Chrysler’s first EV turns out to be, 2025 can’t come soon enough. With the discontinuation of the 300 sedan, the Pacifica minivan is now Chrysler’s only existing model. This is a significant decline for a brand that once grew to be America’s third-largest automaker through acquiring divisions like Dodge and Jeep, before merging first with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and then Stellantis. EVs represent Chrysler’s best shot at regaining prominence.

By autod9