Shocking! I’m flabbergasted at what Chrysler has presented. Clearly not a production ready vehicle it is however, in my opinion, a true concept of possibilities and a directional goal post for the entire brand.
How this concept transitions into reality and product is the question that remains. What is evident is that Chrysler has the tools and talent to relaunch the brand. I’ll be honest and state I long for the classic Chrysler I lusted after for decades, but pragmatic enough to give the new generation a chance to define what Chrysler must be to succeed in a very new world.
What encourages me the most is that this concept is beautiful and does define a distinctive design language that is appealing and bold. It’s also a coupe that, as a production model, could be the halo car the brand needs to define the new Chrysler. It’s so damn seductive. Sure I want something close to this concept built, and soon.
What worries me is that in being a true concept it will be lost in translation to production vehicles as it depends too much, again my opinion, on gimmicks of technology that have a wow factor but too ambitious and potentially a reliability nightmare that a brand seeking a second shot at public acceptance and desirability could be its own downfall. Keep it simple stupid is good advice.
Essentially, the Halcyon concept is less a fond memory of better days past but a vision of better days to come. If anything it is not just another Euro inspired hatchback but an attention getting coupe. Yes, a coupe Chrysler that, my opinion again, MUST put on the road ASAP. Well done guys!
HEY BILL! GOOD DAY TO YOU SIR! THIS FROM THE DETROIT FREE PRESS-2/13/2024 -Brand CEO Christine Feuell told journalists at the company’s design dome in Auburn Hills recently that she wanted a name representing harmony in motion. That name,
according to Merriam-Webster, also evokes a sense of nostalgia for better days past. The vehicle showcasing what’s described as the future design direction for the Chrysler brand isn’t an SUV or even a minivan. Feuell reminded the group that the Chrysler brand, which is essentially the Pacifica minivan with the departure of the 300 sedan, had not seen much investment for a long time before the merger that created Stellantis in 2021. However, Chrysler sold more 133,000 vehicles in the United States last year, representing a 19% bump from 2022, and Feuell noted that “we made a very good profit last year.”Halcyon represents a more future-looking, and Feuell would say
edgier, vision than the Airflow concept, which the company had unveiled at CES in 2022, Feuell promised a “really healthy cadence of new product development and launches” starting with that first battery electric vehicle in 2025, don’t expect to see a Halcyon production vehicle rolling off an assembly line next year. But, Feuell said she’d love to put the Halcyon into production as soon as possible but couldn’t speak to any specifics on that front, an acknowledgement of the aspirational nature of what was shown. She also addressed the fact that the vehicle is built as a car and not as a crossover, noting that “if you can give the customer a really clever solution in a car platform that really recaptures the joy of driving in a stunning design then you have something here.” Me? My take? Feuell want's to produce a sedan because she has hinted over, and over, about Chrysler returning to this segment they were once strong in, despite the current trends? ( Also Ralph Gilles said it best "We the producers start the trends") Me as a 300 owner, I just want to see another beautiful sedan! along with a cuv, suv, new mini, ETC? just get the darn things made! love my gas powered 300! but i realize bev's are a future purchase. I have BLED MOPAR SINCE BIRTH! I'm 60 in age, so by 65, my 300C will be 10 years old plus. and we will want a new sedan, I hope it can be a Chrysler! and then i will put the ole 300 in the empty extra spot in our big 2 car garage next to the new one? I pray!
