Nowadays, with the emergence of autonomous technologies, AI, smart devices, and electric propulsion, the focus of concepts has shifted primarily towards technology rather than design. This is evident when looking at the Chrysler Halcyon.
Chrysler is not a brand that often steals the spotlight. Content with being a part of the Stellantis group, they currently only offer two distinct vehicles: the 300 sedan, one of the few remaining sedans in America, and the beloved Pacifica minivan.
Therefore, it would be reasonable to have low expectations when it comes to revolutionary concepts from Chrysler. However, the Halcyon defies these expectations.
The Halcyon is the latest addition to a series of Chrysler concepts that began in 2017 with the Portal and reached its peak in 2022 with the Airflow. This new concept combines elements from the previous two, along with a touch of the Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator showcased in 2023, to create a glimpse into the future.
According to Chrysler, the Halcyon serves as a preview of their electrified future. The company plans to introduce its first electric vehicle next year and aims to transition its limited vehicle lineup to fully electric by 2028.
Built on the STLA Large platform, which Stellantis introduced earlier this year as the foundation for upcoming electric vehicles from Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, and Maserati, the Halcyon emerges as a highly futuristic four-door computerized system on wheels.
The car embodies a combination of luxury, power, and aggression. It sits remarkably close to the ground, with a height of just four inches or ten cm, much lower than the average vehicles we see on the road. While this may make it challenging to drive in certain places, the low ride height serves a purpose, which we will explore shortly.
Visually, the Halcyon leaves a strong impact. The front end boasts sharp lines reminiscent of Ferrari models, while the rear exudes the elegance of a limousine. Every aspect of the car’s design is intended to enhance its aerodynamics, including air blades and curtains at the front, a spacious windshield that allows smooth airflow, slim camera mirrors on the doors, and a sliding lower aero diffuser and rear spoiler.
The nose of the Halcyon showcases a new illuminated Chrysler wing logo, first introduced on the Airflow. The body of the car is coated in a unique paint called Elemental Silver, which is complemented by black accents in certain areas.
The refreshed logo on the nose is also replicated on the turbine-shaped 22-inch wheels, which are fitted with Pirelli tires.
That pretty much concludes the external appearance of the concept but does not fully depict the entirety of Halcyon’s body. This vehicle is quite unique, as the doors without handles open in a completely unexpected manner. In fact, entering the car is akin to walking on a prestigious red carpet, according to the car manufacturer. I tend to agree, as the car, fully accessible to its passengers, is truly remarkable. The front doors open conventionally, while the rear doors open in a suicide-style fashion. In between, the butterfly-hinged canopy transforms into a third door that ascends to provide additional headroom during entry and exit.
Once inside, the car offers an extraordinary experience. While the seats and typical dashboard with steering wheel and pedals are still present, there is an overall sensation of being inside an ordinary car. However, that is merely a perception. This is because the Halcyon is equipped with Level 4 autonomous capabilities. The steering wheel, which is actually a reverse yoke, retracts along with the pedals, and there is no traditional instrument panel. Both the front and rear seats can be retracted, with the front seats moving towards the rear and the rear seats folding into the trunk, similar to the layout found in today’s Pacifica. A display spanning from one side to the other of the vehicle decorates the dashboard.
The level of advanced technology incorporated into this concept is truly mind-boggling. The aforementioned large screen is accompanied by a 15.6-inch screen that can be rotated and controlled simply by using voice commands. An augmented reality heads-up display completes the available user interface hardware. Biometric identification is utilized to operate certain features of the concept, including entry, starting the vehicle, and stowing the rear seats. An artificial intelligence system is also present to assist the occupants with their needs.
The car has been specifically designed to operate autonomously, allowing the cockpit to transform into a game room or cinema when the steering wheel and pedals are retracted. Additionally, it projects stars and constellations onto the windshield when the seats are reclined, creating the illusion of being under a clear sky or even in space. The Halcyon is capable of independently adjusting the HVAC settings based on weather conditions. It can also sync with the owner’s calendar to prepare for a drive in advance, a feature referred to as predictive navigation by Chrysler. The vehicle can lower itself as the owner approaches, facilitating easier entry, and can also provide notifications for upcoming events.
All of the aforementioned features are undeniably impressive, yet they only scratch the surface of the car’s mechanical capabilities. Remember the previously mentioned low ride height? This is where it becomes relevant.
According to reports, the Halcyon, an electric vehicle, will be equipped with a battery and electric motors. Currently, in its concept form, it does not appear to have these components, and Chrysler has not provided any details regarding the specific electric drivetrain they have in mind for a potential production model.
However, they did mention that the Halcyon has the potential to achieve virtually unlimited range in the future. This is due to its utilization of Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT), which enables inductive charging while on the move.
The underside of the concept car is designed to receive inductive charging, allowing it to wirelessly charge itself from technology embedded in the road surface as it travels along dedicated road lanes.
While this may seem like a futuristic concept, Stellantis is actively working towards making it a reality. They are currently engaged in a pilot project at the Arena del Futuro circuit in Chiari, Italy, where they are testing the effectiveness of this technology.
In addition to DWPT, the Halcyon or its future iterations may also incorporate another innovative technology: Lyten 800V batteries. These batteries utilize lithium and sulfur instead of traditional materials like nickel, cobalt, or manganese. As a result, they can significantly reduce the carbon footprint by up to 60% when compared to the best-in-class batteries available today.
To ensure they stay at the forefront of technological advancements, Stellantis made an investment in Lyten during the spring of last year.
According to the Source autoevolution.com