VIDEO: Designing the Chrysler 200C EV
by Domenick Yoney on Jan 16th 2009 at 5:26PM 
Chrysler made quite a splash with its surprise unveiling last Sunday of their classy-looking 200C EV. The range-extended electric drive vehicle is capable of 40 gas-free miles and seemed a cut or two above most of their current line up - it also revealed that Chrysler still has some talented designers hidden away somewhere. In footage that the company has released onto the internets, we now have a chance to hear from some of those designers speak about their vision and the goals they tried to achieve in bringing this concept from paper to the spotlights of the Detroit Auto Show.
The video comes in three clips. The first features design vice-president Ralph Gilles and exterior designer Nick Malachowski talking about "value" and "falling in love" (with the car) interspersed with detail shots as well as rolling footage. The second clip discusses the inside with several folks involved with creating the somewhat futuristic interior, including Ryan Patrick Joyce, the lead designer, who also drops the L-word in describing the contents of each surface and line. If you prefer not to hear the artists blather on and on discuss their passion, feel free to skip ahead to the third video featuring pure 200C EV, inside and out. Hit the jump for all the love.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: 200C EV Concept
Gallery: Chrysler 200C Concept
[Source: Chrysler]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sam Watson 7:18PM (1/16/2009)
this is pretty cool looking! how can chrysler have churned out a running concept with finish interior so quickly? chrisyler has had a number of stylish vehicles though. (pt cruiser, prowler.) power to them and hope they survive.
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Steven 1:12PM (1/17/2009)
I think this car looks great. It has more style than any other hybrid that is out or coming soon (including the next prius which is ugly in my opinion). I was wondering how long it would take to get a LCD monitor for spedo which is cool, if you want analog or digital the choice is the drivers. I really hope they build this car. I would buy this over a Volt any day.
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Nick 2:49AM (1/18/2009)
Like it, but I think it's too "fluid" and "organic" for its time. The 300C is a bad-ass car with character....this could be a Hyundai Genesis.
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freshforged 11:54AM (1/19/2009)
Very classy exterior--the interior would be dialed back in a production vehicle which is a good thing. This would be an excellent stablemate for the Challenger. If recent interiors are an indication (09 Ram & 09 Patriot/Compass) this one should be as sexy inside as out.
Build it Chrysler!
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asus 1:13AM (1/26/2009)
This car is really slick. I hope they make it. Get rid of the sebring, replace it with this.
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pmaharaj 11:25PM (2/05/2009)
I am thrilled by this concept handsome, bold and strong looks. Been waiting for a car like this for a long, long time and hope I don't have to wait much longer. I held on to my 99 silver Stratus because I was never excited about any other car till now. The 200C has changed all that and my andrenaline is pumping.
Chrysler, please do not mess up the design, it looks so rich and hot, in the production version. Do whatever it takes to make this work as is. You have hit the nail on its head with this one and it will sell like hot bread. Bring this to the showrooms now and sales will skyrocket. There is no other car like it. But make sure it's affordable with all the popular features standard.
I will go crazy in the meantime. So pretty soon there will be a mad driver behind the super sleek 200C. Even the concept platinum/graphite silver metallic color is my favorite.
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Buz Weston 2:46PM (2/17/2009)
It's a great looking car. However, they're claiming this will be an electric. It's not aerodynamic enough for that. Even so, it looks like something that will see production - perhaps as a hybrid or even a standard gas engine.
One can see the Acura inspiration. The trunk area looks a little like the Lincoln MKS. The C-pillar reminds me of the sedan "coupes" from Mercedes and VW. These are all good things. I really hope the dash board makes it to production.
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Chris M 4:02PM (2/17/2009)
It is "electric" in the same way that the GM Volt and other plug-in hybrids are electric. The plan is to do most local driving (up to 40 miles or so) on batteries, then have a gas engine "range extender take over and supply power for longer trips.
The aerodynamics aren't bad, though granted it isn't as good as the EV1 or Aptera. Aerodynamic constraints are forcing all high efficiency cars to use similar exterior shapes.