Driving the Dodge Circuit, now with video
Dodge Circuit EV concept - Click above for a high-res gallery
A few weeks ago, we got a chance to step into the Dodge Circuit for a quick spin through downtown Detroit. We shot some video of that drive and now you can see the car in action (from the inside, mostly) and hear John Myers, who works for Chrysler's ENVI and was project lead on the Dodge Circuit EV, talk about the car. The bumpy roads weren't quite long and straight enough for our liking, but at least we got to learn a little bit more about Chrysler's EV strategy and why the automaker thinks its ENVI battery strategy is better than Tesla's. Having driven both the Circuit and the Tesla Roadster, however shortly, I'd just like to say that if we can just get auto companies to keep on competing and making fast and fun all-electric sports cars, I'm all for it. Watch the video after the jump.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ronEbear 12:01PM (5/11/2009)
Why the hell don`t they just develop an electric version of the Viper, you know that iconic Dodge quasi-super car? Are they that daft?
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Snoopy 9:46PM (5/11/2009)
I'm with you on this one. They've already got the full design for the Viper platform. They shouldn't have needed to use the Elise platform. The only reason I can think of that they would go with the Elise platform like Tesla is that it's a bit larger than the Viper platform (just a guess, I don't know that).
My question would be "Why don't they just take the Viper shell and stick an EV powertrain into it?", which, I assume, is the same question you're asking.
Atom117 1:20AM (5/12/2009)
"My question would be "Why don't they just take the Viper shell and stick an EV powertrain into it?", which, I assume, is the same question you're asking."
Because the Lotus chassis is made of carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is stronger than steel but way lighter. If you stick the EV powertrain into a full steel shell, it would reduce the speed dramatically.
Tim 12:21PM (5/11/2009)
"I'd just like to say that if we can just get auto companies to keep on competing and making fast and fun all-electric sports cars, I'm all for it."
Yes! Competing for consumer dollars instead of taxpayer dollars by building and selling what consumers want to buy at a price consumers are willing to pay!
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Nick P. 12:42PM (5/11/2009)
@ronEbear:
Good idea, except that Chrysler is in a hurry to show that they have something working. It was faster to copy the Tesla Roadster development plan & use the Lotus platform.
I'm pretty sure that they are working on their own in-house base - just like Tesla. The future looks pretty cool.
- Nick -
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Carlos 2:11PM (5/11/2009)
We want a real test, like the Top Gear with tesla Roadster, not a quiet stroll, it´s not a urban, it´s a sportcar. Why are they afraid?
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bvz 2:40PM (5/11/2009)
I believe it is because this is still a prototype which means that it is both very rare/expensive in case it breaks and most likely still not complete enough to allow journalists to give it a fair review.
Carlos 6:25PM (5/11/2009)
But the Tesla S it´s not a prototype, and i haven´t seen a proper test drive, only a few meters in a small place, but you can reserve it right now.
Mirko 2:58PM (5/11/2009)
Will it come with a Dodge... Charger?
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DaveD 5:25PM (5/11/2009)
LOL Good one.
fnc 4:34PM (5/11/2009)
Okay, not exactly the funniest, but I've got to give you +10 style points for it.
Tohe 6:09PM (5/11/2009)
Their first EV should be the sedan, it was original and would have drawn far more attention than this Tesla xerox. People who want to buy an EV in that price range, will probably go with the Tesla anyway.
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Alistair Mutch 1:49PM (5/12/2009)
Sorry but I think this is a cynical knee-jerk.
They have put a new bumper on an existing solution from Lotus, added a dash of voltage and published some PR to make it look as though they are "NEW DODGE" and worthy of sinking yet more money into. I would not be surprised if they had asked Lotus to do the work for them anyway.
The management that allowed the company to have no vision and end up all the way down the pack does not deserve your love for trying to show a cheap lash-up to try and convince you that it should move forwards. US or German I don't care, they need replacement with a forward thinking group which will take your tax money and use it well.
Evora is a great car, but putting lipstick on this pig will not get it a date.
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DorianGrey 3:39PM (5/13/2009)
...but kissing this pig won't give you swine flu...
Sorry, had to...