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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chrysler Was Down to One Minivan. Now It's Launching the Most Radical Comeback in Years.
Here's what you'll learn reading this story. Chrysler is looking to completely rethink its approach, with a focus on the year 2030 and beyond. In the minivan class, the brand currently only one vehicle—the Pacifica minivan. It's looking to add two new vehicles (a sedan and SUV) to its lineup, inspired by its recent Halcyon concept car. Ralph Gilles, Stellantis' chief of design, has stated that Chrysler is ready for a complete rethink. And that's no surprise, considering the brand currently only sells one vehicle—the Pacifica minivan. Like many, the brand is targeting an all-electric future with a design philosophy of shock and awe. Things used to be quite different for Chrysler. The American automaker was not only largely responsible for popularizing the minivan, but for just making damn good automobiles. Its once-great reputation, however, was tarnished over the years by quality control issues, poor management decisions, and a failure to adapt to market demands. But not all is lost. Chrysler has recently established its own design studio, which could be a significant development for the brand's future. However, unlike many legacy automakers that are bringing back new versions of hit classics, Chrysler wants to bring exclusively new ideas to the table. Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell revealed that the brand is working on both a new sedan and a new SUV. And that's great news, given that these new products are said to be influenced by the brand's Halcyon concept car. Many outlets are hinting that this could mark the return of Chrysler's 300 sedan, but only time will tell. Looking at the Halcyon concept, it's really no surprise to hear The Drive report that the brand's chief of design is pushing a design philosophy that maximizes aerodynamics and efficiency. Gilles wants people to fall in love with low cars again, and claims that Chrysler's next generation will prioritize both aerodynamics and functionality. While we still know very little about Chrysler's new products, we do know some details about the future of the Pacifica. The brand's famed minivan won't receive any Halcyon design DNA, but will feature a redesigned exterior for 2026. Under the hood, it will receive an improved hybrid system, and Chrysler plans to offer an all-electric Pacifica before 2030. Last but not least, Chrysler will continue to offer its minivan with the same 3.6-liter V6 engine until the end of the decade. Color us not surprised. Minivans often catch a lot of flak for being uncool, but we should note that Chrysler's Pacifica has actual street cred. Its launch in 2016—replacing the Town and Country—brought some genuinely interesting design to the table. For instance, it was super aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of just.30 Cd. At the time, that would have made it slip through the air more efficiently than a McLaren F1—one of the fastest production cars in the world. It also featured a built-in vacuum, plenty of power outlets and USB ports, push-button van doors, and a third-row sunroof. Other brands like Volkswagen have brought back design cues from their uber-successful back catalogs. Take the ID. Buzz,for example, which brings back the iconic styling from the original Type 2 Microbus (affectionately known as the VW Bus). However, the new Bus is actually struggling to sell, likely because it's simply too expensive. That means the new (or refreshed) Pacifica could potentially be the adrenaline shot that the brand needs to stay alive—if it's priced well and looks good, that is. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chrysler Was Down to One Minivan. Now It's Launching the Most Radical Comeback in Years.
Here's what you'll learn reading this story. Chrysler is looking to completely rethink its approach, with a focus on the year 2030 and beyond. In the minivan class, the brand currently only one vehicle—the Pacifica minivan. It's looking to add two new vehicles (a sedan and SUV) to its lineup, inspired by its recent Halcyon concept car. Ralph Gilles, Stellantis' chief of design, has stated that Chrysler is ready for a complete rethink. And that's no surprise, considering the brand currently only sells one vehicle—the Pacifica minivan. Like many, the brand is targeting an all-electric future with a design philosophy of shock and awe. Things used to be quite different for Chrysler. The American automaker was not only largely responsible for popularizing the minivan, but for just making damn good automobiles. Its once-great reputation, however, was tarnished over the years by quality control issues, poor management decisions, and a failure to adapt to market demands. But not all is lost. Chrysler has recently established its own design studio, which could be a significant development for the brand's future. However, unlike many legacy automakers that are bringing back new versions of hit classics, Chrysler wants to bring exclusively new ideas to the table. Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell revealed that the brand is working on both a new sedan and a new SUV. And that's great news, given that these new products are said to be influenced by the brand's Halcyon concept car. Many outlets are hinting that this could mark the return of Chrysler's 300 sedan, but only time will tell. Looking at the Halcyon concept, it's really no surprise to hear The Drive report that the brand's chief of design is pushing a design philosophy that maximizes aerodynamics and efficiency. Gilles wants people to fall in love with low cars again, and claims that Chrysler's next generation will prioritize both aerodynamics and functionality. While we still know very little about Chrysler's new products, we do know some details about the future of the Pacifica. The brand's famed minivan won't receive any Halcyon design DNA, but will feature a redesigned exterior for 2026. Under the hood, it will receive an improved hybrid system, and Chrysler plans to offer an all-electric Pacifica before 2030. Last but not least, Chrysler will continue to offer its minivan with the same 3.6-liter V6 engine until the end of the decade. Color us not surprised. Minivans often catch a lot of flak for being uncool, but we should note that Chrysler's Pacifica has actual street cred. Its launch in 2016—replacing the Town and Country—brought some genuinely interesting design to the table. For instance, it was super aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of just.30 Cd. At the time, that would have made it slip through the air more efficiently than a McLaren F1—one of the fastest production cars in the world. It also featured a built-in vacuum, plenty of power outlets and USB ports, push-button van doors, and a third-row sunroof. Other brands like Volkswagen have brought back design cues from their uber-successful back catalogs. Take the ID. Buzz,for example, which brings back the iconic styling from the original Type 2 Microbus (affectionately known as the VW Bus). However, the new Bus is actually struggling to sell, likely because it's simply too expensive. That means the new (or refreshed) Pacifica could potentially be the adrenaline shot that the brand needs to stay alive—if it's priced well and looks good, that is. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
New Chrysler 300: Everything We Know
Unless you're a devout member of a Pacifica enthusiast group, the Chrysler brand hasn't been relevant in nearly a decade. The last 300 sedan left the market in 2023 after sticking around for nearly 20 years, while the compact 200 sedan was discontinued more than five years before that. But recent news has us hopeful for the brand's revival. Chrysler has hired new product planners and marketers, and as of about a year ago, it opened its own dedicated design studio under the watchful eye of design lead—and the man responsible for the last 300—Ralph Gilles. As he notes: "We're back on with Chrysler." It will certainly take some time for the Chrysler brand to get back on all four tires. One of the easiest ways to do that, though, would be with a new 300 sedan, which the company has hinted at for months. There's still no official confirmation as to the 300's return, but here's what we know so far. What Will It Be Called? Chrysler 300C Logo Photo by: Chrysler It's easy to assume that Chrysler will simply slap a 300 badge on the backside of its new sedan and call it a day. And that might be true. But throughout the nameplate's 50-year history, dozens of variants of the 300 have come and gone. The original Chrysler 300 from 1955 was actually called the C-300, which eventually transformed into the 300C later in life. Chrysler revived the 300 name in the late 1990s with the 300M, and then revived the 300C name in 2005 with the most recent generation. Chrysler then ditched the letter "C" with the 2011 facelift and added the letter "S" in 2015 to denote a sportier trim. The company finally brought back the 300C name (a third time) for a limited-edition model before it was discontinued for good in 2023. That's all to say: There's been no confirmation that Chrysler will even revive the 300 name for its new sedan, and we have no idea whether or not it will have any letters attached. That said, it would be silly for Chrysler not to use the 300 nameplate. And given Dodge's generous use of retro names with the new Charger, Chrysler could follow a similar path with the 300. What Will It Look Like? New Chrysler 300 Rendering By Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 We don't have to look far to get an idea of what Chrysler's next-generation vehicles could look like. Earlier this year, Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell said that the company already has two vehicles in the works that will be inspired by the Halcyon concept from 2024—and not just more SUVs. Feuell said , "I believe the car segment is ripe for growth and resurgence." To bring those new vehicles to life, Chrysler opened its own dedicated design studio separate from its once-shared space with Dodge. That means the brand will be able to work freely on its upcoming vehicles, which is a big deal for a company once at the forefront of American automotive design. New Chrysler 300 Rendering By Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 Chrysler Halcyon Concept Photo by: Stellantis If the new 300 does indeed draw heavily from the Halcyon concept, it could look something like the rendering pictured here. Our artist imagines a production version of the Halcyon —or, the 300—with most of the concept's cues brought to life in production form. The interior of the next Chrysler 300 should look familiar to the current Dodge Charger, but with more premium touches. The Charger currently has a standard 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, with an optional 16.0-inch digital cluster also available. Expect Chrysler to make that optional technology standard. What Will Power It? 2025 Dodge Charger Engine Photo by: Dodge The Halcyon concept uses the same STLA Large platform as the latest Dodge Charger , which means we should see both gas and electric powertrains on the 300. The Charger Daytona EV's 400-volt architecture has a dual-motor layout powered by a 100.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which gives it 496 horsepower in the soon-to-be-discontinued base R/T model and up to 317 miles of range. The more powerful Scat Pack trim gets up to 670 hp and 260 miles of range. Similar figures would make sense for an electric Chrysler 300. That said, gas engines are compatible with this platform, which means we should see a gas engine in the 300. The Dodge Charger Sixpack's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six will make 420 hp in the standard version and up to 550 hp in the most powerful trim when it debuts later this year . When Will We See It? Chrysler hasn't officially confirmed a new 300 sedan for production, which means it will likely still be a few years before we even see a concept. That said, the latest Charger has already been on the market for months, and Chrysler's new sedan will borrow heavily from Dodge—most importantly, its platform. We wouldn't be surprised to see a confirmation from Chrysler next year, with a concept another year out still, and a production version coming sometime in 2027 or 2028. Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 How Much Will It Cost? The outgoing Chrysler 300 started at just under $40,000 for the 2023 model year. But average vehicle prices have skyrocketed, which means we don't expect this new version to be that affordable. The 2025 Dodge Charger EV is a good reference point. It starts at $61,590 for the base R/T, and costs $75,185 for the speedier Scat Pack. As a more premium product, we expect the Chrysler 300 to be a few thousand dollars more expensive than the Charger; a starting price of $65,000 for the EV isn't out of the realm of possibility. That said, the gas Charger Sixpack will likely be significantly cheaper than the EV, which means a gas-powered Chrysler 300 could also follow suit. More From Chrysler Stellantis Will 'Experiment' With Chrysler to Fill The Gaps America's Beautiful, Forgotten Hypercars Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Drive
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Chrysler Is About To Become An 'Experiment'
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Chrysler's current status? 'Ripe for a new chapter,' according to Ralph Grilles, design chief at Stellantis. Gilles gave the viewpoint to Automotive News during an interview Friday at the automaker's centennial celebration. With 100 years under Chrysler's belt Gille's said 'it's time for us to pivot' and 'we're going to experiment with the brand.' Currently, Chrysler offers one single model in the showroom: the Chrysler Pacifica minivan. You might say the automaker has nowhere to go but up. Gilles, an executive at the automaker, acknowledged the current state of affairs by stating the brand is going to stand for 'a brand-new conquest customer.' Conquest customers are those that are stolen from other competing brands. Chrysler Portal Concept FCA US LLC Chrysler was set to be an all-electric brand by 2028. The future seems to be in a state of change. Development on an electric crossover, that was supposedly not based on the Airflow concept yet the concept looked nearly production ready and intent, was halted in January. It's unclear if, or when, that will be unpaused. The electric mid-size crossover to be based on the new STLA Large platform, which underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S electric SUV, was to launch in 2025. Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell told The Drive in November the Chrysler Pacifica minivan will receive a refresh in 2026. Meaning, now, the next product from Chrysler will quite possibly be a second refresh of its current minivan a year from now. The refresh will bring design elements from the Chrysler Halcyon concept, which debuted in 2024, to the automaker's … minivan. The concept was an exotic-looking swoopy four-door couple with coach doors. The refresh seems to be still be green lit and coming. Feuell said the Pacifica refresh would be followed a year later in 2027 by an electric Pacifica. It's unclear at this point if the electric Pacifica is still on track and in the cards for 2027. At the time, the executive wouldn't specify whether the plug-in hybrid Pacifica, currently on sale, or a range-extended Pacifica akin to the Ram Charger EREV pickup truck, would exist. It's possible with Ram's most recent lineup changes–the Hemi V8 returned, the Ramcharger launch was moved up and the electric Ram Rev has been delayed to who knows when–the electric Pacifica won't arrive in 2027 as originally planned. The Drive reached out to Chrysler for comment regarding the timeline of the electric Pacifica and will update this story if or when the automaker responds. Chrysler's sole remaining product today is about one thing: function. Gilles said while the future is about aerodynamics, it also has to be about function. The automaker needs to get people to fall in love with low cars. The reason? They are more efficient. 'We're trying to get people to like that, to understand that, to fall in love again, with lowrider,' the design exec said. Understanding the future of Chrysler might be understanding its past and executive's tastes. At the end of 2023 the last Hemi-powered Chrysler 300C rolled off the assembly line. Earlier in 2023 an electric Chrysler 300 successor had reportedly already been shown to dealers. The EV was said to be based on the STLA Large electric platform, which underpins not only the Jeep Wagoneer S, but also the Dodge Charger Daytona. The one vehicle with a special place in Gille's heart? 'Without question, the 2006 300C SRT8. Just a beautiful blend of muscle and elegance,' the exec said. But Chrysler's calling card, according to Gilles, has always been about value for money. 'It is the value for money, the prestige for money, the presence for money. That's what I want to be about going forward.' And while that value proposition is great, it's unclear beyond a refreshed Pacifica and maybe an electric Pacifica, what exactly Chrysler has on offer to bake that value for money into. Maybe that's part of the experiment? Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Motor 1
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Stellantis Will 'Experiment' With Chrysler to Fill The Gaps
When it comes to products, Chrysler currently offers the least among the 14 brands under the Stellantis corporate umbrella. It's now essentially a minivan brand, selling only the Pacifica/Voyager. Heck, even Lancia, another troubled automaker within the conglomerate, has a second product scheduled for 2026. So, how does the struggling American brand, which turned 100 just last week, plan to get back in shape? By experimenting. In an interview with Automotive News , Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles said Chrysler is 'ripe for a new chapter.' The brand aims to revamp its current image and attract a new clientele by targeting the 'brand-new conquest customer.' Although Stellantis has numerous products across its vast portfolio, there are still gaps that Chrysler will attempt to fill with its upcoming vehicles. 'I think it's time for us to pivot. We're going to try. We're going to experiment with the brand. There is an unserved part of our portfolio in our showroom that our dealers have identified that we can maybe serve with Chrysler, so we're in the process of experimenting.' Chrysler Is Not Giving Up On Gas Engines Although Chrysler had initially planned to go fully electric by 2028, that's no longer the case. Gilles said the new lineup will be built on the STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms, both of which support combustion, hybrid, and electric drivetrains. The STLA Medium is already used in European products, such as the Peugeot 3008/5008, Opel Grandland, Citroën C5 Aircross, and the not-for-America 2026 Jeep Compass . The STLA Large underpins the Dodge Charger, Jeep Wagoneer S, as well as the upcoming Recon and Cherokee. Stellantis also has an STLA Small architecture, but Chrysler appears to be focusing on larger vehicles. STLA Medium is designed for cars measuring 169.3 to 193 inches (4.3 to 4.9 meters) in length, with wheelbases ranging from 169.2 to 192.9 inches (2.7 to 2.9 meters). STLA Large supports vehicles ranging from 187.6 to 201.8 inches (4.76 to 5.1 meters) long and 74.7 to 79.9 inches (1.89 to 2.03 meters) wide. Chrysler finally has a new design studio to create its future vehicles, one of which could be a sedan inspired by the Halcyon concept . Although the concept won't go into production as is, CEO Christine Feuell suggested it could influence a 300 replacement. An SUV inspired by the Halcyon is reportedly also in the pipeline, with CNBC reporting both could debut as early as next year. The Pacifica turns 10 next year, and Chrysler has confirmed plans to update the minivan and introduce a fully electric version. Chrysler Is Back Just weeks before his abrupt resignation, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the struggling brand would have only a few years to save itself . However, there's now a sense that Chrysler is finally receiving the attention it deserves. With newly appointed Antonio Filosa leading the 14-brand empire, a revival seems to be underway. Gilles mentioned that Stellantis has 'been working very hard behind the scenes' on the STLA Medium and Large platforms. He described them as the 'perfect foundations' for new vehicles bearing the winged emblem. These new products certainly can't arrive soon enough, and Chrysler deserves the attention after years of neglect. Catch Up With Chrysler: Chrysler Is Planning a New Car and SUV Based on the Halcyon Concept The Chrysler Voyager Is Back for 2025 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
