Detroit 2008 Preview: Dodge Zeo Concept
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Dodge's entry in the 2008 Detroit Auto Show concept sweeps is the new ZEO, a concept that is perhaps the polar opposite of the Viper. The four-door, four-seat sport-wagon has the typical Dodge aggression but, like its partners this year, big eight- and ten-cylinder engines are out the picture. The ZEO is a battery EV with a claimed 250-mile range courtesy of a lithium ion battery pack. It will be interesting to see if this one is a runner like most Chrysler concepts or just a mock-up. We'll be watching this one very closely.
Gallery: Detroit 2008: Dodge ZEO Concept
[Source: Chrysler]
2008 Dodge ZEO Concept
The 2008 Dodge ZEO Concept is a four-passenger, 2+2 sport wagon that embraces the bold, expressive look of the Dodge brand, exhibiting a new, youthful breed of muscle car for the 21st century. Built for driving enthusiasts, it features an electric-only propulsion system with a lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles. Unlike other such vehicles, the 2008 Dodge ZEO Concept is a four-door, four-passenger model that delivers function as well as environmental responsibility.
Specifications
Length: 172.8 inches (4390 mm)
Width at H-point: 68.6 inches (1743 mm)
Height: 50.8 inches (1290 mm)
Wheelbase: 109.9 inches (2792 mm)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian 1:41PM (2/14/2008)
Everyone's quick to criticize, but why not talk about the good this design brings. First, its actually a practical electric car that will appeal to people other than the green crowd. Its a usable size with four full seats, its visually appealing, the predicted range is a practical 250 miles, and most importantly to me anyway is its actually performance orientated. Now I'm not saying I'd drive it like a NHRA car, but its nice to know that the performance is there to pass on the highway or accelerate if I need it. Performance has always been missing mass produced low-emissions cars, and maybe this is a good step to bridging that gap. And no help from Daimler? Please. Take a look at Mercedes R&D and their current level of quality. I'd much rather drive a Dodge Challenger or Charger than anything Mercedes has. Oh, and point out where on the Mercedes concepts is a high performance, zero-emissions electric car.
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Ryan 7:31PM (3/02/2008)
I currently drive a prius and I am happy with it. However I still would like to rid myself of having to go to a pump. I really like the Tesla roadster but the price tag is not attractive as well as Tesla is a new company and my other issue would be where can I bring my Tesla in for repairs? What would it take for Dodge to see the Zeo as a worth while investment and produce this vehicle?
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Walter Shelburne 7:48PM (3/21/2008)
Doe's anybody care what Adolf Ann Coulter thinks. Bob Lutz ? Tell him to put his mouth on one of GMs exhaust pipes and breath deeply then get back with us to see what he thinks of pollution and global warming. Bob Clutz is a greedy idiot. Thats why GM is loosing Billions and the rest of the non american car industry is turning a profit. And lastly who thinks it is a good idea to be heavily dependent on our enemies for a vital resource (oil).
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Randy 10:24AM (6/10/2008)
Look, stop producing "concepts" and start producing electric production vehicles. The EV-1 was perfect and had GM kept the program, perhaps they wouldn't be dying right now. Also, Chrysler/Dodge products get some of the worst gas mileage so they NEED something like this. An affordable, 100 mile range full electric car is 100% feasable (the technology has been there for over a decade!) All they have to do is mass produce it. Really, 100 miles a day is all 98% of the population will ever need in a day. This misinformation about "range" is simply a tactic taken to keep from spending any money in the development of new technology or line of cars. Automakers keep producing gas guzzlers because it is the easiest thing to do. (really, do they even have a vision of the future, or is that always going to left up to the "next" guy?) As for being their customer, I have 1 and 1/2 year left on my loan, once that car is paid off, that's it until a car company offers something real. By the way, my first car was a 1971 Dodge Charger muscle car and though it was a blast to drive, cars like it are no longer practicle.
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Adrian 7:51AM (7/03/2008)
I'm afraid that I'm the one to rain on your parade, but most people I know do at least 200 km a day either to communte to Sydney, or in my case 90 km each way to uni and back. 400 km (or your 250 miles for those of us that haven't caught up with the rest of the world and are living 80 years ago) is only just a reasonable range... it's not like if you get stuck on the express way you can just get a jerry can with a few litres to limp to the next service station...
kert 5:21PM (11/20/2007)
showing EV concepts that are "five years from production" has been ever fashionable sport for how many decades now ?
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Ed 9:39PM (11/20/2007)
So, the ZEO has a range, and power level close to the Tesla Roadster, but two extra seats. And the Tesla has been in development for how long, with an expected price tag of $100K. How can Chrysler make this a real affordable vehicle. This is clearly a "Concept" from Chrysler. The "Concept" being : we have no R&D division, and no help from Daimler anymore, but we need to appear environmentally responsible after showing only a crappy SUV hybrid at the LA autoshow.
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mike 8:01PM (11/20/2007)
Ed,
It doesn't necessarily compete with the Tesla, that may be more up market. is this viper or neon market segment? if it's an electric neon with great fuel economy great handling and great brakes that I'm on board.
The reality is on the east coast I can't do 0-60 anywhere 9-5. My first priority is being able to get to work - efficiently with fuel. Second, I'd still like great handling and braking. Is this that car?
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mike 8:03PM (11/20/2007)
Third, what's the current situation with the Ultra-Capacitors? Cost, Charge capability and time to charge? How's that research coming along?
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Domenick 9:29PM (11/20/2007)
@Mike
No news on any break throughs on the ultra-capacitor front. However, matching the ones we have now with LiIon is a small advance.
http://www.maxwell.com/ultracapacitors/news-events/release.asp?PRID=260
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