Chrysler Unplugs ENVI Program

You could see this one coming – in a bid to concentrate on bringing forth new products based on mostly Fiat technology, the Chrysler Group LLC pulled the plug on its ENVI electric car program. ENVI, which was featured front and center last year as Chrysler sought financial assistance from the federal government, is going away demonstrating what mostly everyone knew about this initiative: that it was vaporware.

L.A. Showing

Last year, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, I saw the ENVI display hurriedly put together by Chrysler. Those cars included electric versions of a Chrysler minivan and Jeep Wrangler in addition to the Dodge Circuit EV (pictured). Chrysler had promised way back when that the Circuit would hit the market by the end of 2010, provided that the requested funding from the federal government was made available. Those funds came, Chrysler went bankrupt, Fiat took over and the ENVI program has been aborted.

Apparently, the following statement issued by Chrysler in September 2008 about the ENVI no longer applies:

“We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO – Chrysler LLC. “The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market.”

Nardelli Vanishes

Okay, Nardelli is long gone and the face of Chrysler has changed, but you have to wonder exactly what position Chrysler will take when it comes to delivering fuel efficient, environmentally friendly cars. Their only chance of that seems as though it is hinged upon whatever Fiat does and, according to what I’ve read, the Fiat 500 may be the best effort put forth by the Italian automaker. Perhaps that diminutive gas model will eventually be joined by a plug-in electric hybrid. Who knows.

ENVI stood for the first four letters of “environmental” – which was tasked with helping Chrysler develop electric-drive production vehicles and ancillary technologies.

Circuit EV

If there is anything unfortunate about this announcement is that the design for the Dodge Circuit EV may end up going to waste. Apparently, there is an all new Viper design in the works for 2012, but my thinking is that vehicle will come from Ferrari/Maserati, not Lotus which crafted the Circuit. Ferrari and Maserati are part of the extensive Fiat Group which means that whatever design plans are on the horizon, an Italian design studio may be involved.

Concept Dodge Circuit Heading For Production?

I must confess that when it comes to Chrysler products, there are a number of vehicle designs that I really like. Dodge Viper. Chrysler 300C. Jeep Wrangler. Dodge Challenger. Just to name a few.

But I also know that many of the Chrysler Group, LLC’s models are “long in the tooth” and desperately needing a makeover.

Dodge Circuit Concept EV

A beautifully designed sports car, the Dodge Circuit program hasn't been scrapped which means that the automaker could bring this car to production in the near future.

One vehicle that has caught my eye is the Dodge Circuit, a pure electric concept that has been making the auto show circuit for months now. Designed by Lotus, the two passenger rear wheel drive sportscar would be a nice addition to the Dodge fleet. Too bad that it is only vaporware. Or not.

It seems that the newly minted Chrysler Group, LLC is looking seriously at building the Dodge Circuit, so much so that they’ve said that if they can produce about 100,000 units annually, then the model has a chance of making some money. Right now, demand for electric vehicles isn’t there to justify high production, but that could change if gas prices surge upwards.

The torquey Circuit can go from zero to sixty in five seconds and do the quarter mile in 13 seconds. With a driving range of 150-200 miles, the Circuit will cover all commutes and then some. Top speed for the zapper would be about 120 mph.

Additional Approval Needed

Of course, if Chrysler is going to bring this car to market it will need both the blessings of Fiat and the probably another loan from the federal government if they plan on building the car stateside. As its stands, Chrysler could have the car built in the same factory producing the Tesla Roadster and then having the car shipped to the US for battery installation.

See Also: Chrysler 200C EV: Beauty Meets Electricity