Detroit 2009: Crosshairs on a Europa make a Dodge Circuit EV
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 11th 2009 at 12:01AM 
Click the Dodge Circuit EV for a high-res gallery
As suspected from some recent spy photos Chrysler's ENVI group has continued to work on the car that first appeared last fall as the DodgeEV. The car that was nothing more than a Lotus Europa with an electric powertrain and Dodge badges now at least looks kind of like it belongs in a Dodge dealership .The front fascia now sports the traditional Dodge cross-hair grille while the posterior gets cleaner look with a small diffuser. New wheels and a coat of orange paint that Chrysler's press release dubbs"Tangoreen" round out the visual changes.
As near as we can tell from that same press release the only real functional change to the car that is now called the Circuit EV is the positioning of the plug. The original car had the plug on the right side of the car, which would be the driver's side over in the UK where this car was built. The Circuit now has the plug socket on the left flank where it would be more convenient to charge in this country. The A123 battery pack and 200 kW motor remain from the original iteration.
Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV
Dodge Circuit EV
Dodge Circuit EV: Brand new version of all-electric sports car boasts unique, fearless Dodge design
All-electric vehicle delivers sports car performance with zero gasoline consumption, zero tailpipe emissions and 150-200 mile driving range
The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions.
The Dodge Circuit EV design screams pure sports car from every angle. The Dodge Circuit EV's profile demonstrates perfect proportions for balanced handling, placing the driver and passenger midway along the wheelbase. At the front of the vehicle, the distinctive Dodge crosshair grille splits the wind, sending it over the long, low hood and cleanly over the windshield and cockpit. The body sides feature a deep scallop, providing visual depth and also a functional rear-brake air duct. At the rear, the functional elements blend with design to create a uniform finish.
"The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car," said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. "The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment."
The Dodge Circuit EV is adorned in all-new "Tangoreen" exterior color, wearing large "EV" graphics on both sides of the sports car.
The uncomplicated interior of the Dodge Circuit EV delivers a combination of pure function and athletic refinement. The cockpit design puts complete control of the car at the driver's fingertips. Nestled within a leather-covered instrument cluster are two primary analog-face gauges. A digital display conveys information regarding the electric-drive system.
The seats feature deep bolsters and are covered in premium leather. The same premium leather covers the center console and the width of the instrument panel.
The Dodge Circuit EV delivers all of the convenience features of a performance sports car, including premium sound system, power windows and door locks, air conditioning, speed control.
Propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, the Dodge Circuit EV posts impressive performance numbers:
0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds
¼-mile in 13 seconds
Top speed of more than 120 mph
Perhaps the most impressive Dodge Circuit EV number, however, is zero. That's how much gasoline the vehicle consumes while providing exhilarating sports car performance. It's also how much tailpipe emissions are produced.
The Dodge Circuit EV utilizes just three powertrain components. These include a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.
Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of 150 to 200 miles between charges – more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.
The Dodge Circuit EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day – without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.
Dodge Circuit EV – Vehicle Specifications
Vehicle Type Battery Electric Vehicle,
2-passenger performance coupe
Weight and Dimensions
Length 153.5 inches / 3900 mm
Width 67.5 inches / 1714 mm
Height 45.3 inches / 1150 mm
Wheelbase 91.7 inches / 2330 mm
Track front / rear 57.4 inches / 1457 mm 58.7 inches / 1490 mm
Turn circle 38.0 feet / 11.6 m
Powertrain and Suspension
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Motor Power: 200 kW (268 hp)
Regenerative braking
Battery Lithium-ion battery
Suspension Front - Independent
Rear - Independent
Wheels and Tires
Tire size front P195 / 45ZR17 23.9 inches / 607 mm
Tire size rear P235 / 40ZR18 25.4 inches / 645 mm
Color Scheme
Exterior Tangoreen
Interior Black Leather with Satin Silver accents
Key Performance Attributes
0-60 mph (0-100 kph) less than 5 seconds
Standing ¼-mile low-13 seconds
Top speed greater than 120 mph (approximately 193 kph)
All-electric range 150-200 miles (approximately 241-322 km)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Doug 1:36AM (1/11/2009)
"The Circuit now has the plug socket on the left flank where it would be more convenient to charge in this country."
How's is that the case? For curb side charging where you parallel park, you'd prefer the charging port to be on the right. In all other cases, it doesn't really matter.
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wisi 4:30AM (1/11/2009)
yep, totally right, this just prohibits charching when you're parallel parking.
BUT ALSO when you park forward in your garage you will always trip over the charging cable when you pass your car - assuming a normally sized garage, where you park all the way to the right to open the driver's door and can only pass the car on the driver's side...
well, maybe US garages are bigger, so the pickups fit ;-) then that doesn't matter there :-P
Curtis 1:18PM (1/11/2009)
I think the reason it is supposedly more convenient is because it is harder to forget to unplug it when you have to walk past it to get into the driver's side.
ziv 8:58AM (1/11/2009)
If I plug in my car in the garage the cord will be coming straight down from the ceiling to the drivers side where it is out of the way of everyone running through with their stuff AND it is in the most convenient spot for me to plug it in and it won't scuff the paint as it hangs down the side of my car if the cord runs along the ground.
Second best place wouldn't be the right side, it would be the front license plate where head bolt heater cords go now. You cover the cord where it comes out of the wall with a vinyl mat to eliminate trip hazards, leaving about 2 feet of cord at the end to plug into the receptacle behind the front license plate. This one is best for public plug ins too.
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Snowdog 9:04AM (1/11/2009)
Who cares. This is just bailout bait.
A123 + Lotus Europa = $70K+ pricing. They won't be building this.
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Tim 9:54AM (1/11/2009)
BEAUTIFUL!
(but if it cost's over $30K and no financing is available, who cares?)
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J 12:31PM (1/11/2009)
Yea total bailout baiting here.
But for the hopeful out there maybe they will be able to miraculously get this into production.
In 5 years....
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TurboAWD 2:42PM (1/11/2009)
LOL @ you guys TRYING to find something wrong with this car. So pathetic....Its truly sad :(
Its a better Tesla for less $$$, end of story.
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Snowdog 4:48PM (1/11/2009)
This isn't even a product. It is a concept car bailout bait. If actually built it would cost more than a Tesla.
I uses a more expensive base platform.
It uses A123 batteries which are much more expensive than the generics Tesla uses.
Tesla is barely breaking even on their roadster. This car would cost at least $80K just to build and would have to sell for at least as much as the Tesla.
leo 3:50PM (1/11/2009)
hope the nose-job and rear-end didn't add to much weight (?) this is hollywoodisation and teeth-bleaching american style applied to british understatement. looks as if the roadster has grown a bit. but maybe it's an optical ellusion. anyway, still looks kind of cool. What's the bet that this car will be out before 2011?
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mroverlord 1:01PM (1/12/2009)
If they do build it, and it's ia reasonable price, I am SOOOOooo buying one.
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