2010 Dodge Circuit EV
Dismclaimer: The model featured on this page is still in the developmental stages, and details are subject to change. The vehicle is not currently available to consumers for purchase.
2010 Dodge Circuit EV
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The Dodge Circuit is one of Chrysler’s electric vehicles being developed by its electric only ENVI division. It is a stylish sports car with room for two, and best of all you can drive miles without stopping to refill. The Dodge Circuit is unique even among its ENVI siblings because it is the only all-electric vehicle in the ENVI family. Chrysler says all of its ENVI concepts - the Circuit included - are production intent and could reach dealers by 2013. The question is though, does a market exists for a low-volume, high-cost electric roadster built in part by Lotus. Dodge Circuit EV packages zero tailpipe emissions in the unlikely form of a bold, two-passenger rear-wheel-drive sports car with responsive, agile performance including an All-New design inside and out. Looking like a smaller, less-menacing version of Dodge's brutal Viper exotic car, the Circuit provides a glimpse of how the brand might marry electric power and a sporty character. Regardless of when the Circuit goes into production or how well it will be received, the bottom line is that the Circuit Concept may be a realistic glimpse into the future of vehicles.
Circuit Design
The Circuit is based off the original electric sports concept car from Dodge, simply called the EV. Although the Circuit has certainly kept some main design cues from the EV, plenty has changed. By the time the Circuit was reintroduced at January’s Detroit auto show. By that time, it had acquired new front and rear panels, giving it a “unique, fearless Dodge design” with a strong family resemblance to the legendary Viper V-10 sports car—minus the exhaust pipes. A face-lift has given the Dodge a crosshair grille, while the rear end now features a cleaner look without the previous horizontal lines. A restyled Circuit hadn’t been expected at the show, where it appeared beside three Chrysler vehicles adapted to electric or series hybrid drive: the familiar electric-drive Chrysler Town & Country minivan and Jeep Wrangler, and a newly unveiled series-hybrid Jeep Patriot crossover.
Power for the Dodge Circuit
The Circuit uses the same powertrain that Chrysler is stuffing into all of its ENVI vehicles, but with the lightweight Lotus-derived frame on top, there's quite a bit of get-up-and-go to it. Circuit utilizes a very simple powertrain to get it moving: the electric motor, battery system, and the controller that controls the flow of energy. The battery pack on the Circuit provides 150 to 200 miles of zero emission driving before needing to be recharged. That’s more than three times the average daily commute. The Circuit can be recharged by plugging into any standard 110 volt household outlet; it can also be plugged into a standard 220 volt appliance outlet to cut the recharge time in half. Unique battery technology invented by GE will allow the two companies to develop and evaluate new dual-battery solutions.
Cabin Design for 2010
Unfortunately, the cabin of the Circuit is a bit cramped. The interior features two analog gauges, digital readouts for the power system, and leather upholstery and trim. The Circuit carries over much of the Europa’s cockpit fittings and instrumentation. The Circuit weighs 300 pounds more than a stock Lotus Europa.
Circuit Drive
Like the Dodge Viper it alludes to, the Circuit is a “halo vehicle” that’s all about performance. Dodge claims the Circuit would have a driving range of 150 to 200 miles and a top speed over 120 m.p.h. Zero-to-60 acceleration in less than 5 seconds is predicted, and an impressive quarter-mile time of 13 seconds. It uses front and rear independent suspension, regenerative braking to recharge the battery and gets 268 hp. The 200 kW electric motor produces an incredible 480 ft•lbf (650 N•m) of torque.
Summary
The basic formula for the Dodge Circuit is a good one; start with a lightweight, mid-engine Lotus sports car, remove the engine, and add a large battery pack and electric motor. The bigger question is whether a low-volume, presumably pricey sports car—regardless of its roof—really helps Chrysler with its financial recovery. The company has a great need for fuel-efficient sedans and crossovers that regular consumers will buy. For those vehicles (electric or not), Chrysler seems likely to rely on its putative partner Fiat—if indeed it manages to survive as an independent company at all. There is still work to be done on the Circuit, now the regenerative braking bites right away, instead of letting the car coast, requiring constant use of the accelerator to keep moving, but Chrysler is working on it. There are still big questions on price and availability, but so it goes with most electric vehicles -- at least this one seems fairly ready to go. The Circuit has style, it has the features you would expect in a performance sports car, and has the ability to drive like a sports car should. Read an introduction to the Circuit EV for more research. Dodge Circuit EV packages zero tailpipe emissions in the unlikely form of a bold, two-passenger rear-wheel-drive sports car with responsive, agile performance including an all-new design inside and out.
