BREAKING: Chrysler C6X (CA) Electric SUV Development Suspended

Chrysler Airflow Concept Three years ago at CES 2022, Chrysler showed off a concept of a production-ready-looking mid-sized electric SUV called the Airflow. This vehicle was to be based on the variant of the upcoming STLA large platform underpinning the new Dodge Charger Daytona. A few months later in April, Chrysler showed off another version of the concept called the Airflow Graphite Concept. While not a super futuristic, outlandish design, the Airflow was a very handsome concept and looked to be production ready both interior, and exterior wise as soon as Stellantis had their STLA Large platform ready to go. … (read full article...)

 

[Mike201]

Then I'd advise you to start following this guy, he's been on the money with everything that's been happening with Stellantis. Every time he's spoken it's happened.

Thanks… I will follow him.

 

[TripleT]

Airflow was cancelled months ago, they are implementing gate has moved to other products. Van should be imminent.

 

[bill burke]

As a lifelong Chrysler lover I just had to comment. Simply put, the brand has so much heritage and unique character to build upon it should be easy to dip into the current portfolio of Stellantis architecture and platforms to come up with at least three or four viable products for the brand. Sadly the Airflow, though the basic concept had some interesting features as a Euro influenced hatchback, it significantly lacked Chrysler character and heritage brand identity styling features that at one glance shouted “it’s a Chrysler” ! Basic concept has promise but go back to the styling drawing board and give us a CHRYSLER. While your at it give us a couple of SUVs, a 300 sedan and maybe a performance coupe to add excitement. So much there to inspire we don’t need cookie cutter bland stuff that looks too industry wide inspired and so darn NOT Chrysler.

 

[redriderbob]

 

[cygnus]

If Ralph in May 2023 was saying the original Airflow hatch version was cancelled and they wanted to go with traditional SUV styling/height (E segment size, maybe slightly larger than Grand Cherokee?), that means the ICE version, if its still coming, wouldn't arrive until late calendar 2026 as a 2027 MY vehicle.

My guess is that this is a seven passenger vehicle btw.

 

[Jeeper1961]

There scrapping the electric powertrain for that car since it's built on the same platform as the Dodge it'll get the straight 6.

I thought all new Chrysler product was going to be BEV. Is that changing now? I like this change if it is true. But why cancel a new BEV if it is so close to production? Chrysler needs something now. Even a BEV would be something.

 

[cygnus]

I thought all new Chrysler product was going to be BEV. Is that changing now? I like this change if it is true. But why cancel a new BEV if it is so close to production? Chrysler needs something now. Even a BEV would be something.

Long term, yes Chrysler should be BEV only. Short term, this is about keep the ship afloat / not losing money / not building more money losing EVs than they have to.

Shift the EV timeline back by ten years - mid way through the 2030s. Everybody has a free pass the next four years - no fleet average fines, no EV mandates, etc.

General Motors is actually best positioned to take advantage of a Trump presidency with their V8 offerings, but it will only last four years. STLA is caught flat footed with the I6. They cant get the Hemi back into the MY2026 vehicles, its too late. By MY2027 and 2028, it wouldn't justify the investment.

Therefore, the best hedge is actually a mix of ICE, MHEV, and Series Hybrid, and move pure EV vehicles to Chrysler in the 2030 -> later timeframe. Get the hybrid strategy right, do what the smartest people in the room have done (Toyota & hybrids, they cant build them fast enough)

 

[patfromigh]

My comment on the video in Post #24 follows. The scariest thing in that video is how much the Chrysler brand is (was?) headed in the same direction as the Jaguar brand.

 

[patfromigh]

General Motors is actually best positioned to take advantage of a Trump presidency with their V8 offerings, but it will only last four years. STLA is caught flat footed with the I6. They cant get the Hemi back into the MY2026 vehicles, its too late. By MY2027 and 2028, it wouldn't justify the investment.

What V8 products does GM have? Trucks and Corvettes, maybe a Caddy model still exists. GM is pushing four cylinder engines for the bulk of their sales. Peek under the hood of the new Chevy Traverse and somewhere under the engine cover is a four cylinder turbo. I'm surprised Chevy doesn't offer a "frunk" with the Traverse, because they have enough room for it. GM does not have any serious hybrid models and that is what people want.

Chrysler is caught flat footed with a six?! Somebody should best warn Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, and Lexus who all offer six cylinder 3-rows.

 

[cygnus]

"Trucks and Corvettes, maybe a Caddy model still exists"

Those vehicles make General Motors $10-12 Billion profit a year, minus what they lose on EVs. The rest of what you cited is a break even or small profit. They specifically said they are increasing production of HD Trucks and V-Series Cadillac Escalades, which are pure profit. Tahoe, Yukon, and Suburban absolutely own the market and the Wagoneer has made zero dent. They've retaken all the market share they temporarily lost vs the DT Ram 1500 from 2018-2022.

The 2025 refresh for Tahoe/Surburban/Escalade is a home run - they nailed the infotainment/interior design. The Wagoneer interior looks dated in comparison.

If you don't believe me, go look at General Motors stock price over the last three years and compare it to STLA and F. The market realizes that GM will clean up under Trump.

As of writing (2025-01-10) -

GM Market Cap - $55 Billion (passed STLA)
Ford Market Cap - $38 Billion
Stellantis Market Cap - $36 Billion

 

[Jared B]

If Ralph in May 2023 was saying the original Airflow hatch version was cancelled and they wanted to go with traditional SUV styling/height (E segment size, maybe slightly larger than Grand Cherokee?), that means the ICE version, if its still coming, wouldn't arrive until late calendar 2026 as a 2027 MY vehicle.

My guess is that this is a seven passenger vehicle btw.

My guess is if they are working on something like that, it could be WL75 (Grand Cherokee L) based.

As far as the Airflow being paused, I think with all the struggles they've had launching this EV powertrain in the Charger Daytona, slowing EV sales, and changes in the political climate could have them taking second thoughts at the current BEV push. I wouldn't be surprised if they're tweaking it to put the Hurricane 6 in it. Depending on how much has changed for the C6X variant of the STLA large architecture will determine how feasible that is.

 

[TripleT]

What V8 products does GM have? Trucks and Corvettes, maybe a Caddy model still exists. GM is pushing four cylinder engines for the bulk of their sales. Peek under the hood of the new Chevy Traverse and somewhere under the engine cover is a four cylinder turbo. I'm surprised Chevy doesn't offer a "frunk" with the Traverse, because they have enough room for it. GM does not have any serious hybrid models and that is what people want.

Chrysler is caught flat footed with a six?! Somebody should best warn Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, and Lexus who all offer six cylinder 3-rows.

reading MTOY article, Mopar "fans" are so brain washed they are missing just how good the new engine is.... it embarrasses that Eagle and Apache

 

[tigerseye]

Chrysler Airflow Concept Three years ago at CES 2022, Chrysler showed off a concept of a production-ready-looking mid-sized electric SUV called the Airflow. This vehicle was to be based on the variant of the upcoming STLA large platform underpinning the new Dodge Charger Daytona. A few months later in April, Chrysler showed off another version of the concept called the Airflow Graphite Concept. While not a super futuristic, outlandish design, the Airflow was a very handsome concept and looked to be production ready both interior, and exterior wise as soon as Stellantis had their STLA Large platform ready to go. … (read full article...)

To me, Chrysler began a long painful death when Daimler bought them. I no longer consider them a viable option to replace anything I now drive. While Daimler was a bad partner of "equals", Stellantis is off- the- wall lunatic management. They have done every imaginable thing possible to bury the Chrysler brand lineup of vehicles. The Airflow is just another example of Stellantis ineptitude. A boring SUV that will never see showrooms.

 

[TripleT]

REACTIONARY MOPER FAN

"I hate Travares, Travares is an Idiot, How can we let Travares ruin the company? Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares, Travares,

I hate EVs, EVs are the devil, Hemi Hemi Hemi, EV stink, EV live rent free in my brain. Hemi, EV are the Devil, bring back the slow selling under margin sedan,

Travares and EV are the unholy alliance of Satan.

CHRYSLER

"We hear you, we will move to a new direction. We hear you Airflow isn't testing the well in clinics. We will move towards products you asked for."

Chrysler to do hybrid crossover, gasoline and hybrid minivan

The head of Chrysler, Christine Feuell, told CNBC that the 101-year-old marque’s future is safe, with new product in 2026 including a refreshed Chrysler Pacifica and a large crossover. Earlier statements about Chrysler suggested the marque would be fully battery-electric, but this plan seems to...

www.stellpower.com

REACTIONARY MOPER FAN

"DOOMED I say DOOMED, Canceling the Airflow show Chrysler is DOOMED (even though this was news like nearly a year ago) Chrysler is Doomed."

 

[cygnus]

Rationalize all you want - bumbling GM, in spite of Mary Barra, and their V8s are at the top of the heap.

Turns out consumers that agree with me and like + are willing to pay for V8s, make the world go round in automotive and are the consumers / products responsible for minting all the profits.

 

[bill burke]

Long term, yes Chrysler should be BEV only. Short term, this is about keep the ship afloat / not losing money / not building more money losing EVs than they have to.

Shift the EV timeline back by ten years - mid way through the 2030s. Everybody has a free pass the next four years - no fleet average fines, no EV mandates, etc.

General Motors is actually best positioned to take advantage of a Trump presidency with their V8 offerings, but it will only last four years. STLA is caught flat footed with the I6. They cant get the Hemi back into the MY2026 vehicles, its too late. By MY2027 and 2028, it wouldn't justify the investment.

Therefore, the best hedge is actually a mix of ICE, MHEV, and Series Hybrid, and move pure EV vehicles to Chrysler in the 2030 -> later timeframe. Get the hybrid strategy right, do what the smartest people in the room have done (Toyota & hybrids, they cant build them fast enough)

I totally disagree that all Chryslers should be electric. The people do not want it and that thinking will disappear with the free market dynamics. Should all brands have an electric option, of course, hybrid too, but all electric totally, never going to happen. Your a smart guy, you should know it and speak to reality not fantasy.

 

[cygnus]

I totally disagree that all Chryslers should be electric. The people do not want it and that thinking will disappear with the free market dynamics. Should all brands have an electric option, of course, hybrid too, but all electric totally, never going to happen. Your a smart guy, you should know it and speak to reality not fantasy.

EV offerings have diluted Dodge and Jeep. Let them be firewalled to the Chrysler brand.

 

[Archknight]

Btw, here's proof of your Chrysler SUV hybrid:

Chrysler to do hybrid crossover, gasoline and hybrid minivan

The head of Chrysler, Christine Feuell, told CNBC that the 101-year-old marque’s future is safe, with new product in 2026 including a refreshed Chrysler Pacifica and a large crossover. Earlier statements about Chrysler suggested the marque would be fully battery-electric, but this plan seems to...

www.stellpower.com

 

[TripleT]

^^^^^^ did I not just post that?^^^^^^^^

 

[redriderbob]

If Ralph in May 2023 was saying the original Airflow hatch version was cancelled and they wanted to go with traditional SUV styling/height (E segment size, maybe slightly larger than Grand Cherokee?), that means the ICE version, if its still coming, wouldn't arrive until late calendar 2026 as a 2027 MY vehicle.

My guess is that this is a seven passenger vehicle btw.

According to my sources, no its was to retain its 5-passenger D-segment SUV status. Think Chrysler version of Wagoneer S.