Chrysler today unveiled a concept that it says is an advanced look at one potential path of the Stellantis brand’s all-electric future that expands on its “Harmony in Motion ethos” of customer-focused connectivity. The Halcyon, which combines sustainability-driven design, full autonomy, and personalized driving experiences, is the latest in a progression of concepts representing the brand’s electrification transformation that includes the Portal concept in 2017, the Airflow concept in 2022, and the Synthesis cockpit demonstrator in 2023.

“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,” said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO at Stellantis.

She introduced the car in a video from the Kellogg Doolittle House in Joshua Tree, CA.

“We thought this was a fitting spot to share the next chapter of the Chrysler brand evolution with the world,” Feuell said. “This architectural masterpiece complements the future ethos of the Chrysler brand: Harmony in motion.”

Chrysler will launch its first battery-electric vehicle in 2025 and is planning for an all-electric portfolio in 2028. The concept reinforces the brand’s commitment to the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 plan that focuses on the electrified and more efficient propulsion systems that will enable the parent automaker to cut its global carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and achieve net carbon zero by 2038.

The concept envisions incorporating Lyten 800-V lithium-sulfur EV batteries that do not use nickel, cobalt, or manganese. The resulting solution is said to have an estimated 60% lower carbon footprint than today’s best-in-class batteries and a pathway to achieve the lowest emissions EV battery on the global market. In May 2023, the Stellantis Ventures corporate venture fund announced an investment in Lyten to accelerate the commercialization of the supplier’s 3D Graphene applications for the mobility industry.

With the concept, designers also imagined a future with DWPT (dynamic wireless power transfer) technology to recharge EVs (electric vehicles) traveling over specially equipped and dedicated road lanes. The undercarriage is designed to incorporate inductive charging technology, with vehicle sensors communicating with road sensors to charge the battery in a future with embedded infrastructure.

In theory, it could allow for unlimited range and travel for routes such as New York to Seattle without the need for a charger, charge cord, or charge stations. In 2022, Stellantis demonstrated the potential of DWPT technology at the Arena del Futuro circuit in Chiari, Italy, in a pilot project of partners coordinated by A35 Brebemi, a company owned by transportation infrastructure operator Aleatica that focuses on sustainable and innovative mobility solutions.

 

Minimalist design with active aero

The concept offers a vision of the Chrysler brand’s future streamlined exterior design that embeds aerodynamic elements. It is built on the STLA Large platform introduced by Jeep last month for its first global all-electric SUV called the Wagoneer S and previewed by Futurride.

In front, the four-door Halcyon’s body is just 4 in (about 100 mm) off the road and features an air-blade aerodynamic pass-through area visible from the cockpit and designed to enhance performance and BEV range. A thin cross-car front LED headlamp is adaptive and centered above it is a new LED-lit Chrysler wing logo that first debuted on the Airflow concept. Other design highlights are an expansive and plunging windshield for better visibility, airflow-directing front air curtains, and Warm Black side aero blades that feature Chrysler wing logos that light up as the driver approaches to display the vehicle charge level.

Continuing the minimalist design theme on the side are thin, blade-like side mirrors housing cameras and no door handles enabled by “autonomous entry.” The lightweight, machined 22-in wheels feature a turbine-shape design, center caps having the new Chrysler wing logo, and are wrapped with low-rolling-resistance 255/35R-22 Pirelli tires.

Easing access to the interior are acrylic butterfly-hinged roof canopies and suicide-style side doors for passengers and a rear hatch for cargo. Also in the rear, a water line emphasizes the width and shoulders of the car, and the cross-car lighting and LED-lit Chrysler wing logo mirror the front design. A camera enables a futuristic rearview mirror projecting the rearview to the console and cross-car screen.

Rounding out the concept’s active aero technology are sliding rear lower aero diffuser created from lightweight composite material, a rear spoiler, and an air suspension to enhance efficiency and driving dynamics.

 

Sustainable, immersive interior

The concept’s interior was designed as an immersive environment with an almost 360-degree view. The traditional instrument panel is eliminated, allowing occupants to take advantage of a footrest that runs the width of the car to relax and enjoy the view from the panoramic windshield.

It is designed to deliver a “digital detox” through stress-free autonomous features paired with the capability to take control for engaged, dynamic driving. To provide a zen-like environment, the reverse-yoke steering wheel folds away and the pedals retract.

Lighting plays a significant role in the cabin and is a focal point for the console with its clear acrylic design featuring textures and shapes that bend and diffuse the lighting and accent lighting in the doors, footrest, and footwells.

The lightweight front seats wrap over the glass center console and for more space can move into the rear-seat position, with the rear seats retracting into the trunk area to highlight a potential next-generation vision of the brand’s Stow ‘n Go seating first invented for its minivans. The rear seats can also stow away either through biometric identification or voice command to open space for cargo like groceries and pet kennels.

The interior uses 95% sustainable materials for compatibility with the open-air character of the cockpit.

The steering wheel’s center Chrysler wing logo, front-seat inserts, door sills, and other areas of the cabin mix sustainable design inspired by Detroit’s musical culture and heritage by integrating crushed and 100% recycled composite material made from post-consumer music CDs.

Laser-pattern Solar White “suede,” made from 73% PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, is used on the upper seat and door areas. A non-leather synthetic soft trim wraps the lower seats and seatbacks, and a 100% recycled polyester Mélange Heather fabric accents the interior.

The Dark Grey floor features a malleable, textile-infused wood with a microfiber backing created by a “traceable” process for the raw material throughout its entire production. Brushed Black Copper door and door-sill film accents are an alternative to paint and eliminate the volatile organic compounds that are emitted during the painting process.

The sculpted cockpit features a central cross-car pillar-to-pillar transparent display intended to provide a view of information while occupants keep their eyes on the road.

Complementing the main display is a stowable 15.6-in console screen that can be rotated for either portrait or landscape orientation and assist in vehicle startup and quick access to information. An augmented-reality full-screen HUD (head-up display) shares important driving information such as speed and charge status.

The displays can be fully controlled by voice recognition commands to diminish the need for touch input. The cockpit incorporates AI functionality, allowing the driver “to ask the vehicle anything.”

Personalized user-experience Modes

The concept’s suite of STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive technologies help to achieve the enhanced Harmony in Motion vehicle user experience. STLA Brain technology delivers over-the-air (OTA) updates with the latest technology and features to keep the concept fresh, and the Stellantis AI system allows the concept to diagnose issues and communicate OTA solutions without visiting a dealership.

In Prepare Mode, a Stellantis AI virtual assistant​ preps for the driver’s upcoming events, tying the vehicle with other connected devices such as a smartphone and smart home thermostat. An intelligent cabin comfort feature analyzes weather conditions and uses personalized preferences to set HVAC levels remotely. Predictive navigation syncs with the driver’s calendar to ​prepare the vehicle for real-time traffic and navigation routing.

The vehicle recognizes the driver, “comes to life,” and provides a greeting through a Welcome Mode that uses biometric identification. Illuminated LED exterior lighting animation (including those Chrysler wing logos on the side aero panels communicating vehicle charge status), personalized exterior sounds, and a greeting on interior screens provide a sense of connection with the vehicle.

In Welcome/Entry Modes, the driver is the “key” as facial biometrics allow secure, hands-free vehicle entry and startup, with doors unlocking and opening automatically.​ Biometric functions can detect if the driver is carrying a package or backpack and retract the next-gen Stow ‘n Go seats to create storage space in the rear passenger compartment. Air suspension assists by lifting the low-profile vehicle for easier passenger entry.

Pre-drive Mode features personalized vehicle cymatics—sound and vibrations mirrored through visuals—to help create vehicle “mood.” It can share a calming or energetic sound based on driver presets.

Different sound frequencies prompt corresponding 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.

In Drive Mode, the STLA AutoDrive technology platform enables SAE Level 4 autonomous driving features such as Stargazing Mode in which seats lay back ​while the augmented-reality windshield HUD projects information on stars and constellations. The steering wheel and pedals retract, and the dimmable glass canopy and windshield can turn opaque for privacy and to create an immersive space.

Occupants can 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 can use voice recognition to deploy the steering wheel and pedals. Customized EV drive modes enhance the driving experience with selectable levels of ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) support, and holographic elements in the HUD blend for both navigation and gamification. The concept can gamify travel through mountainous ranges by identifying certain landmarks or marking the best lap times.

The connected experience wraps up in 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 direction indicating or stopping displayed on the ground through near-field projection to aid safety. A send-off is communicated on the console screen and complemented with animated lighting and sounds.