Dodge Circuit Takes Center Stage At 2009 NAIAS

As part of its electric vehicle program, Dodge is developing the Circuit, an all-electric sports car. If your impression of electric vehicle leaves you thinking about boxy or uninspired designs, the Circuit will change your mind about what an electric car should be.

The Circuit is designed to be a performance vehicle. The interior is a simple, all-leather affair with throwback analog gauges for standard operating information, and a single digital display that reports on the status of the Circuit's ENVI drive train. According to Dodge, the Circuit will go from 0-60 in less than five seconds and will offer a top speed of more than 120 miles per hour. This puts the car in the same class as the Fisker Karma and the Tesla Roadster.

Unlike the Karma, however, the Circuit has no gasoline-powered generator. It is a pure electric vehicle. The ENVI drive train features a 200kW, 268-hp electric motor, an electronically controlled energy management system and a Li-ion battery pack. The Circuit features a driving range of between 150 and 200 miles between charges, and recharges on standard household current.

The Circuit is part of Chrysler's electric vehicle development program, which includes both extended-range gas-electric hybrids and all-electric versions of some of Chrysler's most popular vehicles. In the next few model years, Chrysler plans to release electric or hybrid-electric versions of the Town and Country, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Patriot, in addition to the all-new Circuit.

Chrysler's first foray into the hybrid electric market ended badly. It's Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids were terminated shortly after entering production as part of cutbacks in the company's plant operations. The technology for those vehicles will be transferred to other programs, but the future of the Durango and Aspen hybrids remain clouded.