Chrysler ecoVoyager

[knicks125]

2008 NAIAS:<p><IMG SRC="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/11/cn008_001chl_opt.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>Photo Gallery:<p><A HREF="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/chrysler-ecovoyager-concept" TARGET="_blank">http://www.autoblog.com/photos...ncept</A>/<p><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote &raquo;</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2008 Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept<p>The 2008 Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept celebrates the romance of automobile travel embodied in a four-door, four-passenger distinctively American design. Designed for customers seeking elegance, simplicity and serenity, the elegant one-box design takes advantage of space normally occupied by a conventional powertrain setup. The 2008 Chrysler ecoVoyager features an advanced lithium-ion battery pack, along with a small, advanced hydrogen fuel cell that serves as a range extender. The result is a vehicle with a total range of more than 300 miles that emits no emissions from the tailpipe except water vapor.<p>Specifications<br>Length: 191.2 inches (4856 mm)<br>Width at H-point: 75.4 inches (1915 mm)<br>Height: 63 inches (1600 mm)<br>Wheelbase: 116 inches (2946 mm)</TD></TR></TABLE>

[DoMiNo]

I generally don't take much to this body shape/configuration, but if the render is representative of how this will look in person, I have high hopes. I really think that Chrysler could use a vehicle like this and I think the styling is overall very elegant.

[the future]

So Chrysler gives their design theme another try? It's like a crazy Nassau. Secrectly, I hoped for a whole new Chrysler design language, but we'll have to wait some more time for that.

[caarmike]

Could we be looking at a PT Cruiser or Pacifica replacement?

[driven by design]

I love the sketch. Wonderful technique and a good evolution of the Chrysler look. However, I also really loved the Nassau sketch that released in advance of the car's debut, and it ended up being one of the ugliest concept cars I've ever seen, and only barely resembled the sketch. It looked like they applied stickers where the grille and headlights were supposed to be. Let's hope they can make this concept a bit more substantial.

[B3000]

How many times are we going to see those damn cameras mounted where the mirrors should be on concepts until we see it make it onto a production car? I swear I've seen them on concepts since 2000.

[mzoltarp]

This design language needs to appear ASAP as a rebodied Caliber. I'm not a huge fan of one-box designs, but this one is rather nice looking in the sketch.

[Horizon]

That's a big one.<br>I'am talking about the grille.<br>It's more suited to a big sedan.

[DoMiNo]

Gallery up at NetCarShow (http://www.netcarshow.com/chrysler/2008-ecovoyager_concept/).

Obviously less dramatic than in the sketch, but easy on the eyes nonetheless. My main concern is that this looks like it could just as easy have been a Chrysler concept from 5 or 7 years ago. The design language has basically stagnated; they're draping the same look over different shapes, that's all. *yawn*

http://photo.netcarshow.com/Chrysler-ecoVoyager_Concept_2008_photo_03.jpg

[Vltava]

This design language seems kinda Buick-y too me to be used by Chrysler. Also this car's too bubblicious for me at all.

[against the wall]

wow is that boring...

[VexedandGlorious]

I personaly think the proportions ruined this concept...It has potential, but that cab forward look and that short hood...its uh...frustrating

[62Lincoln]

All of the Chrysler concepts, this one included, seem completely devoid of any passion, or interest, for that matter. They appear to be half hearted concepts with no connection to actual commercial intent. It's as though they showed these concepts because they were expected to show something at NAIAS, but really didn't care.

[Pavilion]

Very Buick Centieme-ish. Chrysler has a serious history of making concepts that are stuck in the 90's and when they put out something truely great like the Airflight and all we get is the extremely watered down Seabring. I have to say I never look forward to Chrysler concepts for any carshow.

[swizzle]

Gallery up at NetCarShow (http://www.netcarshow.com/chrysler/2008-ecovoyager_concept/).

Obviously less dramatic than in the sketch, but easy on the eyes nonetheless. My main concern is that this looks like it could just as easy have been a Chrysler concept from 5 or 7 years ago. The design language has basically stagnated; they're draping the same look over different shapes, that's all. *yawn*

http://photo.netcarshow.com/Chrysler-ecoVoyager_Concept_2008_photo_03.jpg

Just when I thought the Caliber could not get any uglier! I hope they do not graft this design language onto the Caliber.

[Vltava]

Just when I thought the Caliber could not get any uglier! I hope they do not graft this design language onto the Caliber.

And uh, that's where you part company with mzoltarp? The personality split is complete!

[swizzle]

The more I see it the more ungainly it is.

[Vltava]

The more I see it the more ungainly it is. Like looking at a Buick concept in one of those comedy mirrors?

[against the wall]

come to think of it, it does look very similar to the centieme in my eyes. except this has a front that can make even rachael ray feel drowsy.

[DoMiNo]

except this has a front that can make even rachael ray feel drowsy.

LMAO

6 7 8 9 10

[VexedandGlorious]

Gallery up at NetCarShow (http://www.netcarshow.com/chrysler/2008-ecovoyager_concept/).

Obviously less dramatic than in the sketch, but easy on the eyes nonetheless. My main concern is that this looks like it could just as easy have been a Chrysler concept from 5 or 7 years ago. The design language has basically stagnated; they're draping the same look over different shapes, that's all. *yawn*

http://photo.netcarshow.com/Chrysler-ecoVoyager_Concept_2008_photo_03.jpg

wow domino, you hit the nail on the head...The concept was designed 7 years ago, but it was dropped the revisted


With the ecoVoyager, a Chrysler concept for 2020, elegance and simplicity were the key words of the design brief. "We actually designed this car seven years ago as the Clipper, but technology then didn't allow the package to happen" exterior designer Greg Howell told CDN. That car was canned after a full-size clay model had been produced, but now with a package afforded by a hydrogen fuel-cell and lithium-ion batteries, we are seeing what a Chrysler Voyager could look like in two generations' time.

[DoMiNo]

Wow, geez, so, let me get this straight.

We are indeed looking at a 7-year old concept--which, make no mistake, looks seven years old--to give us an idea of what the Voyager could look like two generations from now?

Back to the future??

[swizzle]

And instead of pushing the envelope on the current vans, they delivered bread boxes instead. Niice

[Ascariss]

So if this car shows the 2 gen voyager, then that means, the next generation voyager should look like this.

I don't see how a bread box could evolve into the ecovoyager. Good call on the styling Domino, the thing does look like it was designed 7 years ago.

[swizzle]

Conversely, one has to wonder what would have happened had Mercedes allowed something this radical to be produced seven years ago.

[VexedandGlorious]

Conversely, one has to wonder what would have happened had Mercedes allowed something this radical to be produced seven years ago.

It wouldn't have happened because of the packaging, and the car would have been show as an concept, and two generations from then (2001) if shown, would have been released a few years from now, and as american concept cars (especially ons made in 2001) go...it would have been dumb downed a lot...

[ClunBB9]

I don't find this car to be any more innovative than Chrysler concepts for the last few years. It seems as if they have it a wall when it comes to design and haven't been able to create anything new. There is a difference between having a family facia and designing cars with all the same details only in a different shape. Changing these details makes a big difference. I actually found to sketch to be better looking than the car.

[swizzle]

It wouldn't have happened because of the packaging, and the car would have been show as an concept, and two generations from then (2001) if shown, would have been released a few years from now, and as american concept cars (especially ons made in 2001) go...it would have been dumb downed a lot...

The shape is COMPLETELY doable on the minivan chassis and would have been 7 years ago. Granted the nose would have had to be extended, but that would have only improved its looks.

[VexedandGlorious]

The shape is COMPLETELY doable on the minivan chassis and would have been 7 years ago. Granted the nose would have had to be extended, but that would have only improved its looks.

the concept is not about the shape, its the interior packaging.
"The 2008 Chrysler ecoVoyager concept vehicle celebrates the romance of automobile travel embodied in a four-door, four-passenger, distinctively American automobile of spirited design," said Greg Howell, principal ecoVoyager concept exterior designer. "While the ecoVoyager's supple, flowing one-box shape is purposely designed to achieve aerodynamic efficiencies, it also pushes the Chrysler brand language in a new direction of 'elegant simplicity,' by taking full advantage of the space normally occupied by a bulky conventional powertrain setup to drastically reduce the front overhang."
and the car wasn't going to be produced 7 years ago, just the concept and because of technological limitations it couldn't have happened, so it was dropped, only to be revived now. Why? I don't know.....

[swizzle]

Interior packaging doesn't sell vehicles. Sheet metal does. The shape was entirely doable. The technical BS of designing new packaging is just engineers chest thumping.