New year, new week coming in with some brand new Chrysler news updates coming from their CEO Christine Fuell who also looks after the North American arm of Alfa Romeo under Stellantis in the US.
The good news is that we will still expect to see the brand’s first ever EV model would be a five-door crossover (SUV) next year in 2026 – so still right on time to begin its all-electric masterplan, although they would still offer a hybrid option to begin with since the all-EV demand is slow. But we do know so far is the design of that first model would be a mix of both concept cars with less of the 2022 Airflow crossover and more of the recent Halycon four-door prototype sedan from last year.
Other than that, when we will see a production version of that lovely Halycon sedan? We don’t know but this is also still projected to come out around 2028 and according to Christine, they are looking to bring the Halycon into market that is both modern-looking and also affordable.
Sounds like they are working on a proper 300 replacement that was discontinued last year but again, this would be an all-electric model that aligns with their EV vision alongside the crossover – and if so, the price would start under $40,000.
What else? Oh, the Pacifica minivan – the only Chrysler current model out on the market right now – would get a facelift next year at the same time as the new crossover. Yes, there will also be an electric variant of the Pacifica but that will likely come out as a completely new model rather than as an additional trim when the current generation Pacifica doesn’t have a lot of life towards the end of the 2020s.
That way, buyers can continue to buy it in its current form while it lasts and if there’s any other customers who wants a Pacifica in future, then an all-new electric model would suit them best in the next decade.
I guess it’s going to be bit similar to Mitsubishi ASX really when the ageing one is still out there from 2010 while they’ve added a completely separate model of the crossover last year for thejr European market off a rebadged Renault Captur much like the Mitsubishi Colt hatchback being a cloned Renault Clio.
For now, we will have to wait and see since most of Chrysler’s electric masterplan is currently kept under wraps, with three models being just right to move forward like the popular Pacifica minivan, an SUV crossover and a four-door sedan.