Chrysler town and country

The carmaker has been perceived as being slow to change — in a world where change is accelerating — but looks like it wants to convey the impression it is not going to be left behind this time. It went to the trouble of unveiling three concepts, which include electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-ins (PHEVs), so far in advance to emphasise the point. With each of the three, the automaker uses concepts primarily powered by an electric motor system and a yet-to-be-developed lithium-ion battery pack.

The Chrysler ecoVoyager concept, top, uses a small hydrogen fuel cell, with a range of just 480km. It’s a mid-size vehicle which looks like a low-slung crossover vehicle. And, because it doesn’t have the traditional powertrain out front, the four-seater could be quite roomy inside. A 250hp motor would give the ecoVoyager the power to reach 100kmh in under eight seconds.

Much smaller is the Renegade (only a few inches longer than the MINI Cooper) — a little two-seaterconcept with a distinctive roll bar. Chrysler says the Renegade, pictured below, has, however, good ground clearance and four-wheel drive. Its power base is a mixture of electric and diesel. There is also regenerative braking, which would help boost the battery charge, especially in town traffic. And finally, there is the Dodge ZEO, a four-seater, 2+2 sport wagon.

This has a distinctive look with its long hood, rearward cabin, and huge 23in wheels. I love the way Chrysler is describing it (surely tongue in cheek) as a “new, responsible breed of muscle car for the 21st century”. With a larger lithium-ion battery pack to provide a 400km driving range, along with a powerful 200kW electric motor, it is undoubtedly the one they are targeting at driving enthusiasts.