01/14/2008, 12:37 AM

Dodge News

Dodge ZEO Concept: RWD, zero-emissions sport wagon

Dodge has taken the wraps off its ZEO concept car, which attempts to “break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like,” said Bill Zheng, exterior designer. The car is also a showcase for Chrysler’s latest electric motor technology.

The ZEO — which stands for Zero Emissions Operation — is a “2+2″ sport wagon featuring a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles.

Resting in a rear-wheel drive layout, Dodge ZEO’s 200 kilowatt (268 horsepower) single-electric motor enables the vehicle to sprint from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Without a doubt, the ZEO was designed to challenge the traditional electric (or hybrid) design language. The car has a particularly aggressive exterior, highlighted by 23-inch wheels, an elongated beltline, reverse-angle C-pillar, and rakish A-pillars. Other details include “scissor” doors, front and rear lamps treated as separate sculptural forms, and the “ZEO Orange” and dark silver exterior.

 
 

01/14, 12:52 AM

posted by:

C6Racer

Holy **** it’s ugly, IMO. At least it’s RWD.

01/14, 12:53 AM

posted by:

Brendino

RX8-ish. But uglier.

This is a little more believable than the Renegade concept, but still I dunno.

01/14, 1:02 AM

posted by:

Jon

Instead of “Ignition”, what about a little Star Trek… like “Engage!”

01/14, 1:02 AM

posted by:

Jon

“Initiate” oops

01/14, 1:05 AM

posted by:

441Zuke

alright it is a start

01/14, 4:27 AM

posted by:

imtrevonte

Is it just me or does anyone else see the 2003 Chevy SS concept front end on this car? http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2003-Chevrolet-SS-Concept.htm

01/14, 6:56 AM

posted by:

El Aleman

pretty damn ugly and extremely uninspired.. We’re used to a higher standard from Chrysler.

01/14, 7:22 AM

posted by:

MY Si

Kinda looks like that Saturn Concept that came out a while ago. Ya know the one? With the Nomad and Solstice? Anyways i REALLY miss the Magnum…..

01/14, 7:39 AM

posted by:

Get Real

Tesla Part II.

Why exactly is Chrysler wasting money on this ???

Chrysler need to make real product to stay alive.

01/14, 8:45 AM

posted by:

DeansterTJ

NOt that bad, but when they dump the 23s for some 14s and shave some bulk off the car, it’ll look hideous.

01/14, 8:48 AM

posted by:

09CTS-V

I Agree with Get Real, I thought they were broke and this does seem RX-8ish. they dont need to deliver any concepts until they get back onto theyre feet. the light are kinda cool though.

01/14, 9:17 AM

posted by:

CA36GTP

If anyone actually believes any of this crap from Chrysler is coming to the market, I have a great deal for you on an island nation in the Caribbean.

01/14, 9:38 AM

posted by:

e46Ne90

wow this is soo 90s design…

01/14, 10:03 AM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

At least Chrysler has some plan for an electric car. But as a styling exercise? I don’t think so.

01/14, 10:34 AM

posted by:

corvette

i like the doors the concept as a hole is good but i find it very impossible that this car would ever make it to production in this form.

01/14, 11:53 AM

posted by:

Blakkarr

Aside for the doors (Straight scissor or standard doors only), this is an easy “build it”. No doubt the styling would be toned down, but if they kept it close, this would prove to be a hot seller. Just go slow and respectfully. I’m sure this car could snag people who wanted a Prius but couldn’t stomach the lack of any “pizazz”.

01/14, 12:13 PM

posted by:

gitcypher

Clearly taking design cues from Mazda.

01/14, 1:17 PM

posted by:

F451

Well, I have to say that I kinda, sorta, maybe, like it! It’s a contrarian car, that’s for sure. I’d like to see it in black.

01/14, 1:36 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Back is ugly. Front is fine.

01/14, 1:39 PM

posted by:

driver54

LP640, please explain why rednecks would like this car.

01/14, 2:15 PM

posted by:

F451

LOL, can I be both?

01/14, 2:24 PM

posted by:

autonut

This car will be loved in a ghetto. Just a hunch. I doubt that electric propulsion will be successful (in a ghetto).

01/14, 4:30 PM

posted by:

affliction

GARBAGE.

01/14, 5:13 PM

posted by:

CarStar

Like the concept but not sure about the practicality or that the level of technology won’t be price prohibitive.

01/14, 6:15 PM

posted by:

gbb

Pointless

01/14, 6:48 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

As a pure-electric the ZEO would price in an around that of the TESLA roadster, maybe. I would think about $50K would be more like it. But anyway, the ZEO would be built as a Serial Hybrid.

You’d lose two of those battery packs, gain a small engine and a 200-300Kw Generator. F/econ would be at least in the mid to high 40s mpg on gas alone, using a plug-in function, the car would return the equivalent on 100+ mpg.

I still say built it. when the batteries and infrastructure catch up, then go pure electric, until then give us something more fun that a Prius.

01/14, 10:44 PM

posted by:

Bimmer

FUGLY! And then they’ll change it to FWD

01/15, 1:37 AM

posted by:

mazdaman

Out of the three concept cars that Chrysler presented at the Detroit show, this one is the most attractive. I don’t know whether they will bring this car to market, but some of the design cues could definitely be adapted and applied to future car products for Dodge (this would give the car products a distinct look from the truck products while continuing to utilize the brand’s iconic crosshair grille).

I do think that this vehicle is a nice departure from the bulbous exterior design of the Toyota Prius. I would much rather drive this than a Prius; at least you can look cool and green at the same time.

01/15, 4:16 PM

posted by:

jayjc08

I think the front is sort of cheap looking, as I’ve said before everything is symmetrical and nothing exciting aside from the wheel buldges. The rest of the car though is great looking; I especially like the rear.

01/30, 6:10 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

Emptiness is loneliness, and loneliness is cleanliness
Cleanliness is godliness, and god is empty just like me

04/14, 8:09 AM

posted by:

kool_aje

GREEEAAAATTTTTTTT!!!!

08/20, 4:04 PM

posted by:

travis0017

Dear Dodge,
If you make this and don’t dull-ify the exterior look on the production model, I will buy it! Looks great, please build!
Love,
Your Target Market

 
 
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