Introducing STLA Medium: Stellantis’ Game-Changing Global BEV Platform

Stellantis has recently introduced the STLA Medium, a global battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform designed with advanced features, including an impressive range of 435 miles (700 kilometers), excellent energy efficiency, embedded power, and charging capabilities.

The STLA Medium platform is designed to offer long-range capabilities while providing flexibility to accommodate various vehicle types and propulsion configurations in the popular C- and D-segments. These segments accounted for approximately 35 million vehicle sales in 2022, representing almost half of the global sales volume of 78.5 million vehicles that year. Stellantis currently offers 26 vehicle models in these segments across different platforms. The STLA Medium platform has a production capacity of up to two million vehicles per year, with manufacturing facilities located worldwide, starting in Europe this year.

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, emphasized that the development of the STLA Medium platform is a result of over two years of innovative and uncompromising efforts to deliver clean, safe, and affordable mobility. Stellantis has committed €30 billion ($35.4 billion) in investments for electrification and software development until 2025. Tavares stated that the STLA Medium platform showcases the collective expertise of the Stellantis technical community, focusing on customer needs and challenging traditional transportation assumptions as they aim for carbon neutrality by 2038.

The STLA Medium platform surpasses customer expectations by offering a best-in-class range of over 435 miles (700 km) with the Performance pack, while the Standard pack provides a range of over 310 miles (500 km) based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). With a usable energy capacity of up to 98 kilowatt-hours (kWh), the STLA Medium platform stands out with its exceptional energy storage capabilities.

The platform utilizes a 400-volt electric architecture, ensuring superior energy efficiency and reduced charging times. It also integrates seamlessly with a charging and services ecosystem, enhancing the overall driving experience. Depending on the vehicle application, energy consumption can be as low as 14 kWh per 100 km, setting a new benchmark for energy efficiency. Owners can charge their batteries from 20% to 80% capacity in just 27 minutes, achieving a charging rate of 2.4 kWh per minute.

Vehicles based on the STLA Medium platform will be available globally and can be configured with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive option incorporates a second electric drive module at the rear, providing a range of BEV power outputs from 160 to 285 kW.

The STLA Medium platform accommodates various body styles, including passenger cars, crossovers, and SUVs. The platform’s flexibility enables Stellantis designers to create vehicles with a wheelbase ranging from 106.3 to 114.2 inches (2,700-2,900 mm), an overall length between 169.3 and 192.9 inches (4.3-4.9 meters), ground clearance exceeding 8.7 inches (220 mm) to ensure off-road capability, and wheels measuring up to 29.5 inches (750 mm) in diameter, a key attribute of the platform design.

Stellantis engineers and manufacturing experts have optimized the installation of the modular, high-energy density single-layer battery pack during the assembly process, maximizing interior space and improving ride and handling by maintaining a low center of gravity. Various platform components, including the cabin heating/cooling system, steering, braking assist, and propulsion systems, are designed to minimize energy consumption. Furthermore, the extensive use of lightweight and rigid materials enhances vehicle range and ensures exceptional ride and handling performance.

The STLA Medium platform achieves cost-effective battery packaging, increasing production volumes. The battery pack’s dimensions remain consistent across different energy storage options, thanks to standardized tray and cooling designs.

Stellantis has designed the STLA platform family (consisting of Small, Medium, Large, and Frame platforms) to be future-proof, with a modular and flexible approach to the wheelbase, width, overhang, ride height, and suspension design. These platforms can adapt and improve over time through the implementation of the STLA Brain architecture, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive platforms. These advancements enable over-the-air software updates and improved hardware capabilities.

The STLA platforms offer propulsion options such as front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and multi-energy configurations. Stellantis has developed a family of scalable electric drive modules (EDMs) comprising three different modules to cater to various vehicle requirements.

Moreover, the STLA platforms are designed to accommodate future battery technologies, including nickel- and cobalt-free batteries and solid-state batteries. This flexibility allows Stellantis brands to tailor their vehicles’ capabilities according to the optimal balance between cost and performance.