2023 Chicago Auto Show Concept Car Roundup: 4 Flavors of Electrification
A concept car is like a crystal ball that gives consumers a sneak peek into an automaker’s plans for the future, whether that’s one or 10 years from now. Since electrification is increasingly becoming the way of the future for automakers, it’s not a surprise that all four of the concept vehicles appearing at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show are electric vehicles. But while all of the concept cars on display are 100% battery-powered, that’s where their similarities end. Showgoers will find everything from a sleek coupe and retro-inspired muscle car to a full-size pickup truck that will soon compete with electrified rigs like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Related: More Chicago Auto Show Coverage
Buick Wildcat Concept
Like most of the concepts at this year’s auto show, the all-electric Buick Wildcat coupe isn’t intended to go to production in the coming years, and no details are known about its powertrain or performance. Instead, it is meant to preview the design theme of the brand’s electrified future. The 2+2 coupe shows off a low and wide stance, sloped roofline and wraparound windshield. Its front end stands out from current Buicks with a trapezoidal faux grille and check-mark-shaped LED headlights — a styling theme that could make its way into the brand’s future models. Inside, the Wildcat’s futuristic cockpit-style cabin is packed with screens. In addition to a large horizontal center display, a smaller screen is integrated into the long center console that extends to the rear seats.
Chrysler Airflow Concept
The Chrysler Airflow Concept is a four-door EV that foreshadows the brand’s plans to introduce its first all-electric production vehicle in 2025. The Airflow Concept rides on 22-inch wheels and sports a sleek exterior with a long wheelbase, wide track and low ride height. Crystal LED lighting elements found on the vehicle’s front and rear along with an illuminated logo designate the concept’s electrified powertrain. The EV gets an all-wheel-drive setup with two 150-kilowatt electric motors, and Chrysler says it will get 350-400 miles of range on a single charge along with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. The high-tech interior of the Airflow Concept is designed to create a personalized experience that simulates a home or work environment, according to Chrysler.
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
As Dodge prepares to end production of its gas-powered Challenger and Charger muscle cars, their future replacement, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept, arrives in Chicago. The electrified muscle car’s exterior with a flat front end and soaring rear buttresses is inspired by the 1968 Charger, and a three-pronged logo dubbed the “Fratzog” is a nod to the badge seen on Dodge muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s. A Stryker Red exterior paint color and front aerodynamic wing add to the EV’s retro vibe, and the concept rides on 18-inch carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in drag radial tires. While no performance specs have been announced, Dodge says the EV’s 800-volt powertrain will be dubbed “Banshee,” and it will likely feature dual-motor all-wheel drive.
Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept
Unlike some of the preceding concepts at the show, the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept is more than just a design exercise; the concept is a representation of an upcoming production pickup dubbed the 1500 REV, which is slated to arrive in 2024. The concept announces its electrified status with an LED “tuning fork” design in front, an illuminated badge, integrated LED lights and a one-touch frunk. Although it’s been confirmed that the pickup will become a reality, it’s unclear if unique elements like its rear-hinged doors will make it into production. Among its high-tech features, the 1500 Revolution BEV Concept gets two 14.2-inch touchscreens, a camera-based rearview mirror and an augmented-reality head-up display. The Revolution offers Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging, with the ability to add up to 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes using an 800-volt DC fast charger at up to 350 kilowatts.
More From Cars.com:
- Buick Wildcat Concept to Lead Pack of Future EVs
- Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept Foreshadows Brand’s High-Tech Future
- Ram Teases All-Electric 1500 Pickup, Coming in 2024
- Here Are Electric Pickup Trucks Expected in the Next 5 Years
- More EV News
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