These vehicles shown are currently concepts, thank god, as they all need work to be viable. I’ll start from my thoughts on most viable to least in my opinion.
Overview- The big elephant in the room is electrification as it applies to each. I’ve well addressed my doubts and reservations on brands adopting an all electric portfolio in spite of outlandish, unfounded and oppressive government regulations, so I’ll pass on that. Ugly elephant though.
Recon- This Jeep is a winner and can be launched with little modification as an electric SUV. Jeep genius in going after Bronco not by altering Wrangler, but building a better Bronco. Genius.
Wagoner S- Another winner needing some minor tweaks, but also delivers a traditional Jeep design in an all electric package that, genius again, takes pressure off Cherokee and Grand Cherokee to keep the Hurricane engines for decades. If the Cherokee is an affordable spin off of this Jeep, with a straight six engine, a tad larger and wider than currently configured, is a double winner for Jeep.
Charger- I dig the Banshee, it is a necessary product for Dodge, but the concept is neither fish or fowl because though strikingly beautiful, as a fastback coupe it is not the four door sedan Dodge has spent a decade or more establishing as a four door alternative for performance buyers. Charger must be four doors and of course Hurricane powered to be viable. The coupe will be the Challenger and that too will need Hurricane power to survive with real world buyers. That ugly elephant is weighing on Dodges future and the Banshee intrudes on the viability of that future. This needs extensive refinement.
Airflow- Best part, the name, good part, most likely though to lead Chrysler into an all electric future without an elephant tagging along as Chrysler can and should be a Tesla fighter design in a more affordable near luxury niche, worst part, unimpressive, dull styling and awkwardly configured design. This one needs extensive work and a Chrysler design signature has yet to be found, this is not it! Chrysler would do well to build a next generation 300 sedan and some kind of elegant coupe to make the Airflow work. This concept, if not dramatically altered could sink the entire Chrysler brand. This concept is neither trend setting or distinctive of Chrysler heritage. Not viable.
What I’d really like to know is what dealers saw behind closed doors. Can’t wait.
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