About two months in the past, we overheard that Chrysler was “evolving” its Airflow electrical crossover idea “in a brand new course,” in line with Stellantis international design chief Ralph Gilles. This evolution appeared to be fairly drastic although, which painted an impression that Chrysler was in impact killing the Airflow in favor of a automobile maybe designed for a similar phase, however with a radically completely different look. Gilles desires you to know, nonetheless, that the Airflow very a lot isn’t useless. It’s simply altering, which might be for the very best.
Right here’s what the design boss posted to Instagram earlier this week:
I have to clear one thing up. I’ve been seeing so many articles saying that Chrysler isn’t constructing the Airflow EV… sadly misunderstanding me making an attempt to clarify that the design will evolve as we push the thesis much more below model CEO Chris Fuell and our VP of Chrysler design [Irina Zavatski] management. The Airflow was just the start of the story… a North Star kind of idea embodying a myriad of ideas we’re cooking up with the prolonged and now much more succesful Stellantis equipment! Together with electrification, we explored superior infotainment, complete life connectivity, sustainable cabin supplies, whereas as its namesake underscores…explored the fusion of enticing physique work versus aerodynamics, exploring totally automated and assisted driving configurations. All are energetic work streams within the group at present and ongoing. The ultimate product no matter it’s remaining identify and supreme theme…will forge a refreshing new course for the model… So sure it could not look verbatim just like the idea however that doesn’t imply any work has been stopped. Keep tuned.
The Airflow was just about the one future automobile we knew Chrysler was engaged on, so there’s no manner it might’ve been flatly canceled until Stellantis’ imaginative and prescient for one among its most storied marques is really to pump out the Pacifica and solely the Pacifica till the top of days. That mentioned, Chrysler completely must get this one proper as a result of it doesn’t have a lot of a model to talk of anymore, and the Airflow, whereas trying good, stood to look much more dated than it already does come 2025, when it was deliberate to launch.
So it’s good that the Airflow is evolving. It wanted to. The prevailing idea is greatest described as a 200 that swallowed a Jeep Compass, and solely a type of two vehicles continues to be on sale anymore. That’s not an inspiring impression for a mannequin that’s nonetheless two years out, whereas Hyundai and Kia proceed to throw out bizarre shit each two months.
Gilles appears enthusiastic in regards to the new method, which we haven’t seen but. In fact he’d by no means admit to something much less, however the truth he’s described it as a “refreshing change of course for the model” and advised MotorTrend weeks again that Chrysler’s new CEO, Chris Fuell, challenged the workforce by requesting a proposal that had “actually zero to do with something that you’ve got seen at present” together with the present Airflow, are good indicators. If I could make a suggestion, y’all by no means did something with the 1995 Atlantic idea.
