Fiat, the maker of the Cinquecento car, will pay no cash for its stake or commit any funding in the future. Chrysler’s majority owner, private-equity group Cerberus Capital Management, will see its 80% stake in the group diluted.

“The partnership would also provide a return on investment for the American taxpayer by securing the long-term viability of Chrysler brands in the marketplace, sustaining future product and technology development for our country and building renewed consumer confidence, while preserving American jobs,” he said.

Dodge Circuit

The evolution of the Dodge EV has finally arrived.  The Dodge Circuit is everything the Dodge EV was and more.  Boasting a premium sound system, power windows/doors, cruise control, leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel - everything you would expect from a high performance sportscar.

“The exterior styling of the Dodge Circuit EV mates bold Dodge styling to the no-compromise performance attributes of an all-electric performance sports car,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC. “The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment.”

The 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 motor is a 200kW (268 HP) motor that’ll propel the Circuit from 0-60 in just under 5 seconds.   It does the 1/4 mile in just 13 seconds and has a top speed of over 120 miles per hour.

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.

200C

A little smaller than the current Chrysler 300, this concept vehicle is the likely successor to the Seabring.  The theme for the 200C is connectivity.  The 200C has connections for just about everything you can think of.

“What makes the Chrysler 200C EV concept even more meaningful is the use of technology that will make traveling and managing one’s life an absolute pleasure,” Klegon added. “The 200C EV concept is a connectivity portal to the world outside, creating a rewarding relationship between driver and automobile. The result is a driving experience that celebrates the human instinct to be connected to our world.”

The design of the 200C is obviously more organic than the straight lines that cut through the air on the Chrysler 300.  The the curved body allows for better aerodynamic flow over the car resulting in better gas mileage or longer battery life.

Based on a shortened version (LY platform?) of the current rear wheel drive chrysler vehicles, the 200C provides a fun, powerful, and sporty ride.  The electric drive system similar to that in the Jeep EV and Chrysler EV allows the 200C to drive 40 silent miles on electric power alone.  After that a small gasoline engine starts up to provide extended range.

The battery pack for the Volt is possibly the most important part of the car.  It’s the most expensive component, and if it malfunctions the car loses almost all of it’s appeal (assuming it doesn’t cause a fire in which case the car loses all of its appeal).

LG Chem is going to be the supplier for the lithium ion batteries used in the Volt, but GM is going to be the assembler of the actual battery pack.  I don’t blame them either, from a quality control standpoint and a liability standpoint GM wants to be in charge there.  It would be a PR nightmare to tell the owner of a Volt that they have to talk to a third party about their car.  So the batteries will be shipped to a plant in Michigan where the ‘T’ shaped battery pack will be assembled under GM supervision and control.

Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive has apparently decided that 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque should be plenty of power to recharge some batteries. The 260 HP engine will be provided by  General Motors in the form of its 2.0L direct injected and turbocharged Ecotec four cylinder engine.  This engine is an excellent motor, but though 260 HP is probably overkill for this particular application.

From Fisker’s perspective overkill is desirable to something that doesn’t quite meet the needs of the batteries since that powerful engine should be able to recharge the Fisker Karma’s lithium ion batteries at a brisk pace. The faster the internal combustion engine can charge up the battery pack, the quicker the car can revert back to its native electric-only operation.  Plus, that engine is a relatively light chunk of alloy, so the Karma’s motor shouldn’t be burdened by the gasoline-fed boat anchor too horribly under electric power.

Chrysler LLC’s chief says the automaker has received an initial $4 billion loan from the U.S. Treasury Department.

Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said Friday night in a release that the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company’s talks with the federal government about the bridge loan have been completed.

Nardelli says the initial loan will allow Chrysler to continue its restructuring and pursue “our vision to build the fuel-efficient, high-quality cars and trucks people want to buy, will enjoy driving and will want to buy again.”

F3DM

Called the F3DM, this new electric family car is set to rival any Chrysler or GM offering when it makes its world debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

The F3DM will presumably cost around $20,000 half as much as the Volt is expected to cost and probably much lower than any ENVI vehicle will cost in 2010.   As well as electric power, it can run on a combination of battery technology – via a ferrous oxide cell – and a 1.0L gas engine.

With 62 miles of electric power alone the F3DM boasts 20 more miles than the Volt or either the Chrysler/Jeep EV are expected to get.