Chrysler Announces New Halcyon Autonomous BEV Concept

Move over Chrysler Airflow, there’s a new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) concept in town. The Chrysler Airflow Concept showed up during the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, but the automaker never went anywhere with it. Instead, Chrysler was content with being a one-model automaker with the Pacifica minivan in charge of leading the lineup. There was some talk of a new Chrysler BEV crossover in the works, and it has finally been revealed. Sadly, like the Airflow concept, Chrysler is biting off more than it can chew, claiming autonomous functionality for a market that doesn’t have a single self-driving vehicle certified for the public.

The new “Harmony in Motion” ethos of the automaker is all about creating a sustainability-driven exterior, full autonomy paired, personalized driving experiences, and futuristic technology. There have been several futuristic concepts from Chrysler in recent years, including the Chrysler Portal Concept in 2017, the Chrysler Airflow Concept in 2022 and the Chrysler Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator in 2023. None of these have come to pass, so what makes the Halcyon so special, slated for a 2025 launch date?

“The Chrysler Halcyon Concept creates a level of serenity that fully represents the Halcyon name. The Halcyon showcases innovative and sustainable mobility solutions that embrace technology and offer value to customers while delivering Harmony in Motion…The Chrysler Halcyon Concept brings to life a fully electric tomorrow through new technology suites from Stellantis that integrate with simple and pure aerodynamic design and a seamless, connected and immersive cockpit experience.” – Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO – Stellantis

Said to be “fully autonomous with unlimited range”, that is quite the claim for the automaker. Employing innovative Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) technology to wirelessly recharge electric vehicles, it would seem Chrysler has taken a page out of China’s infrastructure. This would, of course, require specially equipped, dedicated road lanes to recharge BEVs without the need to stop at a charger, but the country is still grappling with changing the infrastructure of highways to make BEV charging more accessible. Stellantis is currently aiming to demonstrate the potential of DWPT technology at the Arena del Futuro circuit in Chiari, Italy, so let’s see how it goes.

As for the Chrysler halcyon concept, the exterior styling includes a subtle yet functional front air blade aerodynamic pass-through area to improve performance and all-electric range (AER). Donning the new LED-lit Chrysler wing logo on the front fascia, front air curtains should also help with aerodynamic performance. From the outside, it looks like the Halcyon will be a two-door model, but an acrylic-tinted butterfly-hinged canopy serves as a third door for rear-entry.

Inside, the cockpit is wide and simple, designed with a cross-car pillar-to-pillar transparent display, a stowable 15.6-inch console screen, and eliminates the traditional instrument panel to make room for a footrest that runs the width of the car. STLA Brain technology will be running the car in conjunction with a new Stellantis AI system. Next-generation Stow ‘n Go seating will also make its debut, able to be shifted with voice commands to instantly open up interior space.

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept certainly seems ambitious. Like many concepts, a lot of the features suggested don’t always make it into the launch model. Only a year away, we look forward to what Chrysler will add to its lineup. After all, the Dare Forward 2030 business strategy set a target goal of 75 new BEVs by the end of the decade. Chrysler certainly needs to get with the program.

Want to keep up with Stellantis and Chrysler-related news? Follow along with us on Aventura Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram social media.

Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis Media