Chrysler 200C

The crowds swarmed around Chrysler’s press conference at Detroit, eager to see if the fallen giant would come out fighting. And it didn’t disappoint.

In one of the surprises of the show, it unveiled the 200C – a rear-wheel-drive all-electric family car concept.

The smart-looking executive hatch is similar in size to the Vauxhall Insignia. But it uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain, similar to that of the Dodge Circuit EV – a sports car based on the Lotus Europa, which was also unveiled in Detroit. The 200C is capable of travelling 40 miles in electric-only mode, and a small petrol engine, which is used to top up battery charge on long trips, extends the range to nearly 400 miles.

Inside, switches and levers have been excluded from the cabin. Instead, a system called Uconnect brings together all the car’s functions on to one touchscreen interface.
The project is the work of Chrysler’s new ENVI department, which is focusing on bringing hybrids and electric cars to market as quickly as possible