Chrysler News: 2024 Chrysler Halcyon Concept

[Drew Dowdell]

This morning, Chrysler released information on the 2024 Chrysler Halcyon concept. The concept highlights a host of future technologies that Chrysler and Stellantis are working on. Halcyon combines three complementary technologies, STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive to achieve "Harmony in Motion" and features a new lithium-sulfur battery technology that promise a 60% lower carbon footprint than the best-in-class batteries available on the market today.

The highly streamlined sedan, built on the STLA-Large platform, is optimized for range and efficiency. A functional front air blade and side aero blades direct airflow around the vehicle to improve aerodynamic performance. Side mirrors have been replaced with slim, blade-like camera pods, while autonomous entry eliminates the need for door handles. The windscreen extends forwards, towards the edges of the front end, elongating the cockpit and giving the driver and passenger a sweeping view of the road. Active Aero technology includes a sliding rear aero diffuser made from lightweight composite materials, a rear spoiler, and an active air suspension.

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept has several modes to connect with the driver and passengers.

• Prepare Mode uses an AI Virtual Assistant to help prepare the driver for the day. Using advanced STLA Brain and SmartCockpit technology, an Intelligent Cabin Comfort feature analyzes weather conditions and uses personalized preferences to set HVAC levels remotely. Predictive navigation, one of the concept’s many predictive interaction features, syncs with the driver’s calendar to prepare the vehicle for real-time traffic and navigation routing, staying one step ahead and eliminating unneeded driver inputs.
• Welcome Mode uses biometric identification to greet the driver as they approach. LED illumination animates with a personalized exterior sound to provide a sense of connection. The functional Chrysler wing logos indicate the vehicle's charge status.
• Entry Mode allows the driver to be the “key” to unlocking the concept, as facial biometrics allow safe and secure, hands-free vehicle entry and start-up, with doors unlocking and opening autonomously. Biometric functions can also detect if the driver is carrying a package or backpack and intuitively retract the next-gen Stow ‘n Go seats to create storage space. Air suspension assists with ingress by lifting the low-profile vehicle as the driver enters the cockpit, with the concept always at the right entry height.
• Pre-drive Mode brings to life a customized experience, with personalized vehicle cymatics – sound and vibrations mirrored through visuals – helping to create the mood of the vehicle. As the vehicle wakes up and welcomes the driver, it can share a calming or energetic sound based on driver presets. Different sound frequencies prompt corresponding product shapes on the console screen — calming frequencies align with a more dispersed particle pattern on the console screen, while more spirited sound frequencies generated during drive modes create energetic particle patterns that provide the driver with a real-world connection to the vehicle’s performance status. Ambient interior lighting and sounds also adjust to driver inputs and complement the cabin environment.
• Drive Mode delivers a dynamic, personalized driving experience. Drivers can sit back, relax and allow the Chrysler Halcyon Concept to take control while the STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables Level 4 autonomous driving features, such as Stargazing Mode or take the wheel, and controls for an exciting, connected-to-the road experience.
  • STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables Level 4 autonomous driving features that eliminate the stress of traffic using predictive navigation. The steering wheel and pedals retract, and the dimmable glass canopy and windshield can turn opaque for privacy and to create an immersive space, such as a Stargazing Mode in which seats morph into a laid-back position while the augmented-reality windshield HUD projects information on stars and constellations.
  • Occupants can also watch movies and play games, and the adaptive environment features a media system that chooses audio and content based on the driver’s personal preferences and history. The augmented-reality HUD includes a Memory Landmark feature that pins points of interest and previously visited locations during the drive, with landmark pins selectable and shareable.
  • Drivers who want to own the controls can use voice recognition to deploy the steering wheel and experience pure dynamic driving excitement in a low-profile vehicle that is one with the road. Customized EV drive modes enhance the driving experience with selectable levels of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) support, and holographic elements in the HUD blend seamlessly into the real world for both navigation and gamification. The concept can gamify travel through mountainous ranges by identifying certain landmarks or marking best lap times.
• Exit Mode, with Automated Parking features and automatic transformation of seats and ride height to accommodate vehicle egress. Smart exterior lighting enables vehicle-to-pedestrian communication, with indicator lighting such as blinkers or stopping displayed on the ground through near-field projection to aid in pedestrian safety. A send-off is communicated on the console screen and complemented through animated lighting and sounds.

Powering the concept is a breakthrough battery technology from Lyten.  The 800-volt lithium-sulfur EV batteries do not use nickel, cobalt, or manganese and have an estimated 60% lower carbon footprint than batteries currently on the market. Drivers would be able to recharge the Halcyon while driving using Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer technology to take on energy while traveling over specially equipped, dedicated road lanes. The batteries also feature a lighter weight for the same energy density.

The 2024 Chrysler Halcyon Concept is the latest in a series of concepts by Chrysler showcasing its move to an all-electric-vehicle future. The first Chrysler EV will launch in 2025.

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[G. David Felt]

Have to say I am actually very disappointed in Stellantis. Clearly they are overwhelmed with having so many brands that they cannot release an actual near product ready concept for the Chrysler brand. 

You might as well transfer the minivan to Dodge and close up Chrysler and let it die peacefully.

I get concepts, but this is so far out there that if 1% actually gets to a real production product I would be surprised.

Tired of pie in the sky concepts that never go anywhere, show us some concepts that actually have a chance of coming to market.

Hell, the Chrysler Airflow was a better-looking EV and actually I can see it on the dealer lots for sale now over this.

Very disappointed and just proves the current new Chrysler leader has no touch with reality or ability to get product into Chrysler.

Deadman Walking "Chrysler"

[Michael Higgins]

Haters will hate but this looks great! For a company who have the unique opportunity of a fresh start following years and years of neglect from their parent companies, this is a refreshing take on a sleek, modern, electric sedan in a world so full of staid crossovers.

This design language will likely be the influence for their first BEV in 2025, even if it turns out to be a crossover it’ll stand out from the crowd and set a new bar for Chryslers of the future ? 

[Drew Dowdell]

10 minutes ago, Michael Higgins said:

Haters will hate but this looks great! For a company who have the unique opportunity of a fresh start following years and years of neglect from their parent companies, this is a refreshing take on a sleek, modern, electric sedan in a world so full of staid crossovers.

This design language will likely be the influence for their first BEV in 2025, even if it turns out to be a crossover it’ll stand out from the crowd and set a new bar for Chryslers of the future ? 

True. Chrysler has very little design baggage left.  We know the 300 look is getting left behind.

[Michael Higgins]

9 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

True. Chrysler has very little design baggage left.  We know the 300 look is getting left behind.

Sad to see it go, but here’s to a new gen of Chrysler product!  Fingers crossed this comes to market 80% close to concept form (tho that interior would be nicer if it was more Lucid Air-esque)

[Drew Dowdell]

2 minutes ago, Michael Higgins said:

Sad to see it go, but here’s to a new gen of Chrysler product!  Fingers crossed this comes to market 80% close to concept form (tho that interior would be nicer if it was more Lucid Air-esque)

I don't see any of that interior making it into production. I don't think the windscreen would make it through crash testing unless it's made of transparent aluminum.

The Lucid Air is a whole different level of driving. Acceleration that you can feel in your cheeks.... upper or lower.

[G. David Felt]

Welcome @Michael Higgins

[smk4565]

People are leaving sedans because they aren't as practical as SUVs, so some car makers like this Chrysler see the answer to make a less practical, swoop sedan that is going to have even less interest.  The Mercedes CLS is dead, and I feel like the BMW 8-series grand coupe and Audi A7 won't be far behind it, they are just behind the curve.  And here comes Chrysler, 20 years after the original CLS trying a sweeping roofline coupe, sort of looks like he Mercedes EQXX concept.  

I doubt they actually build this, and it won't have level 4 self driving tech since the only car with level 3 tech is the S-class (and EQS) and Chrysler is probably a decade behind the S-class.

Best to move the Pacifica to rename it Dodge Grand Caravan, close up Chrysler.