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"  DETROIT\u2014Chrysler and its ENVI electric vehicle organization have produced new and improved electric drive packages in four different vehicles, a Chrysler, Dodge and two Jeeps. Three of them were first shown last fall, plus a new Jeep Patriot with a slightly different electric powertrain. Chrysler said it will soon select one of these electric vehicles to be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and for European markets after 2010. Additionally, approximately 100 Chrysler electric vehicles will be on the road in government, business, utility and Chrysler development fleets during 2009.The company said that these four vehicles demonstrate its capabilities in applying electric drive to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms.Chrysler&amp;#039;s electric vehicles utilize just three primary components, an electric motor to drive the wheels, a lithium-ion battery system to power the electric drive motor and an electronic controller that manages energy flow. Chrysler says this technology provides allows these vehicles (depending on the bodystyle) to have a 150- to 200-mile driving range. The range-extended electric vehicle combines the electric drive components of the electric vehicle with a small Super Low Emissions (SULEV) gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional 94 horsepower of additional energy to power the electric drive system when needed. \u2014Jim McCraw Dodge Circuit EV The Dodge Circuit electric vehicle, now in Tangerine Orange instead of its original yellow, is a two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive sports car designed to combine high performance with zero tailpipe emissions. Because of its weight, size and shape, it is the quickest and fastest of the three new Chrysler/ENVI electric vehicles, delivering acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds, with quarter-mile times of 13 seconds. Dodge says the EV sports coupe has a top speed of more than 120 mph.The Tesla-like Dodge Circuit&amp;#039;s electric drive system consists of three primary components: a 200-kilowatt or 268-hp electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery and an integrated power controller. The electric drive motor generates 480 lb-ft of torque and features regenerative braking to charge the battery. Dodge says the EV coupe has a continuous driving range of 150 to 200 miles, or more than triple the average daily commute of most drivers. Recharging the vehicle requires plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet for eight hours. The recharge time can be cut to four hours by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet. It&amp;#039;s a real sports car, so it rides on a short 91.7-in. wheelbase and rides on meaty P195/45-ZR17 front and P235/40ZR18 tires and fully independent suspension. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV The Jeep Wrangler electric vehicle concept is a range-extended electric vehicle. It, too, has received a new paint job, from white to green, with new EV graphics, since its initial showing last year. The Wrangler range-extended concept, at present a rear-drive platform, uses an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric drive system when needed. The 268 hp electric motor generates 295 lb-ft of torque. And that&amp;#039;s good enough of 0-to-60 runs in about 9 seconds flat. With approximately eight gallons of gasoline, Chrysler says, the Jeep EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero-fuel, zero-emissions electric operation. Chrysler officials said they are also exploring four-wheel-drive, using in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the wide range of ENVI&amp;#039;s advanced electric drive technologies. They said the high torque of the electric drive motor and the ability to precisely control each wheel independently could result in genuine off-road capability without compromising road manners. Jeep Patriot EV The Patriot EV concept is new, and like the other range-extended Chrysler EVs, the Jeep Patriot EV combines the electric-drive components with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. Chrysler is calling it &amp;quot;the industry&amp;#039;s most capable compact SUV.&amp;quot; The five-seater Patriot uses a front-wheel-drive chassis layout similar to, but not the same as, the Chrysler Town &amp;amp;amp; Country EV, with a smaller (200-hp) electric motor and a smaller (60-hp) SULEV gasoline engine than the others use. Chrysler says the somewhat downsized powertrain can still deliver 0-60 times of about eight seconds, 100 mph top speed, and the same 40-mile electric and 400-mile total range as the other three Chrysler EVs.  Chrysler Town &amp;amp;amp; Country EV The Chrysler Town &amp;amp;amp; Country minivan EV development vehicle is also a range-extended electric vehicle that demonstrates another possible application of electric drive technology, front-engine front-wheel drive, in the Chrysler Town &amp;amp;amp; Country minivan. It has been repainted in liquid graphite pearl since its original showing last fall, with EV graphics. Chrysler officials said that, with the Chrysler EV, the company is able to blend seven-passenger capacity and all usual amenities of the Town &amp;amp;amp; Country minivan with electric drive technology combining family practicality with zero emissions. This one uses a 255-hp motor, producing 258 lb-ft of torque, providing 0-to-60 mph acceleration in about 8 seconds. It can drive up to 40 miles on all-electric power, and boasts a range of 400 miles on approximately eight gallons of gasoline. The company said the knowledge and experience gained from the Chrysler EV will be applied to other front-wheel-drive applications in Chrysler&amp;#039;s portfolio. Chrysler said they are working with General Electric to pursue a project with the United States Department of Energy to explore advanced energy-storage technology. Chrysler and GE will develop and evaluate dual-battery solutions based on GE&amp;#039;s unique technology. U-Connect Connectivity Exploration Chrysler used Detroit to show off a new level of UConnect connectivity with Wi-Fi and satellites, adding a wide range of possible in-vehicle electronics. A handheld device can start the car, find the car on a nav map, and control a cockpit camera in the car to see who is driving it at the time. An electronic tablet for the front-seat passenger can communicate both ways with the car&amp;#039;s built-in electronics. Chrysler&amp;#039;s advanced system welcomes each new driver, and operator-specific options are displayed on-screen. Settings include radio with audio tagging, allowing passengers to purchase music by clicking on the Mopar icon. Access to Internet radio, stored MP3s, seating position and temperature, are also featured. A &amp;quot;teen&amp;quot; setting can be used to limit speed and warn the owner if the vehicle is being driven erratically or outside of a preset distance from home. A next-generation navigation system features a link to city-street cameras, allowing occupants to view traffic situations in specific intersections, roads and airport terminals in real time. Real-time weather data is available to the driver. The system can anticipate the most fuel-efficient routes and provide route recommendations to the driver.Using a format similar to Facebook and Twitter, other vehicles can be added to the system which links &amp;quot;buddy&amp;quot; vehicles. This feature can show vehicle locations of friends, share directions and music, and provide instant messaging capabilities. Drivers can also create their own vehicle networking systems. Hidden in the dashboard is a PC that slides out for front-seat passenger use. This computer allows the front-seat passenger to use the Internet, access the navigation system, run vehicle diagnostics and read the owner&amp;#039;s manual, among other capabilities. Video conferencing, checking restaurant reviews and making dinner reservations on Zagat&amp;#039;s from the vehicle are some of its capabilities once on the net, and the PC can be passed from the front-seat passenger to passengers in the rear. A home office link between the vehicle and the home can monitor home and office, adjust lighting, power up home appliances and use in-home intercoms. A cellphone fob technology links a smart phone to the vehicle. The phone can be programmed to start of the vehicle, adjust power windows and locks and set vehicle temperature. In addition, an in-vehicle camera can monitor security of the vehicles. If the vehicle is stolen, the phone can disable that vehicle and locate it using satellite imaging. The system can relay diagnostic information to the phone, keeping the owner apprised of vehicle systems, such as state of battery charge. No time frame for public availability of any of these new Uconnect features was given at the show, but some officials indicated that they will be added gradually to premium vehicles in the near future.   RELATED STORIES \u2022 PLUS: Chrysler Shocks Electric Car Timeline With New Plug-ins  \u2022 ANALYSIS: Chrysler&amp;#039;s Electric Team Revs Up on Concepts (With Videos!)  \u2022 FROM THE DAILY GREEN: Green Cars Red Hot at Detroit Auto Show  \u2022 DETROIT 2009: Cars, News and Analysis from the Detroit Auto Show   Dodge Circuit EV Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV Jeep Patriot EV Chrysler Town &amp;amp;amp; Country EV "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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