Chrysler's green concepts at Detroit

Mention 'eco-friendly' and people will immediately think of a car like a smart fortwo; some inner-city urban runabout for perhaps a driver and one passenger.

Chrysler seems determined to put this reputation to the sword, once and for all.

At the NAIMS (North American International Motor Show, AKA Detroit), the third leg of 'the Big Three' will present the Chrysler ecoVoyager, the Dodge ZEO and the Jeep Renegade.

All three concepts are designed to use few resources from the ground and pump even fewer emissions into the air -- with the added criterion that they show the different roles eco-cars can perform in various guises.

The ecoVoyager is a four-door "one-box" design MPV with a lithium-ion battery pack and a small hydrogen fuel cell that operates in the role of "range extender" -- the new industry standard term for any onboard device that will recharge a battery on the move and thus extend the vehicle's range. What makes the ecoVoyager interesting is that fuel cells, which generate electricity by converting hydrogen molecules to water, have usually been configured to power electric motor drive systems directly, not recharging a battery to drive the motors.

This is innovative in that it allows the fuel cell to operate at times and in environments that suit the fuel cell, rather than when the driver needs the power, since the battery always has power on hand.

By combining battery power and the easily integrated fuel cell, Chrysler can free up interior space also, so with an overall length of 4856mm and a width of 1915mm, the ecoVoyager should be both spacious and externally compact.

Dodge's ZEO concept is described as a "2+2 sport wagon" and is substantially smaller than the ecoVoyager. According to information from the Chrysler Group, it's "bold, expressive" and is "built for driving enthusiasts." An all-electric vehicle, the ZEO has a lithium-ion battery pack and can cover a range of at least over 400km.

Seating just two occupants, the Jeep Renegade Concept is smaller again and has been described by Chrysler as "a sporty B-segment-sized two-seater ideally suited for the all-weather delights of off-roading and dune surfing."

Measuring just 3885mm in length and 1598mm in width, the concept provides just enough squeezing space for a lithium-ion battery pack providing a 65km range and a Bluetec diesel engine. Chrysler hasn't explained whether the Renegade's Bluetec diesel is a range extender only, or whether it also provides drive in a more or less conventional hybrid system. We presume it's the former...

Chrysler has already signalled the company's focus on building vehicles that will be more sensitive to the needs of the environment, with the introduction of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids, recently unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show by Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President - Product Development, Chrysler LLC (pictured).

The new concepts will broaden the horizon for hybrid, fuel cell and all-electric vehicle utility.