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Dodge ZEO Concept: Electric Performance

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/January/2007

Dodge ZEO Concept
Dodge ZEO Concept

Dodge ZEO Concept
The rear-wheel drive Dodge ZEO concept
is capable of reaching more than 200km/h

Dodge ZEO Concept
The 200kW electric motor that drives the rear
wheels propels the ZEO from 0-100km/h in 5.8 secs

Dodge ZEO Concept
Note the large grey boxes underneath the car,
they are the Lithium-ion (li-ion) battery packs

Dodge ZEO Concept
The sports cars of the future will most
likely all be driven by electric energy

Dodge ZEO Concept
Dodge included vertically opening doors
on the ZEO concept for added visual impact

Detroit, America — Dodge exhibited what is one of the more intriguing concept cars at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, when it unveiled the ZEO concept car.

As the American car maker explains, ZEO stands for Zero Emissions Operation. The cool looking 4-seater sports car looks as though it was built for high speed driving and intense cornering, normally the reserve of thirsty petrol powered cars.

In actual fact this rear-wheel drive sportster it is propelled by a strong 200kW (268hp) electric motor.

But don't think that this diminishes it's performance goals. It can still sprint from zero to 100km/h in around 5.8 seconds - not too far off the iconic Subaru WRX's pace.

It has a top speed of 209km/h (130mph) and is claimed to complete the standing ¼ mile in 11.0 seconds flat, which is remarkably quick.

"The Dodge ZEO concept is designed to break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like," said Bill Zheng, the Dodge ZEO's chief exterior designer. 

"An electric car can be as expressive as any gasoline-powered vehicle. The Dodge ZEO concept proves that point – and then some," says Zheng.

The Dodge ZEO concept also gets scissor-hinged doors, and all the safety features you'd expect of a modern day mid-level sports car. 

One of the reasons Dodge built the ZEO concept was to highlight that 'hybrid' and 'electric' power doesn't have to equate to dull and boring Prius-like cars. It's a rear-wheel drive sports car with aggressive styling, and like many other car makers Dodge is trying to show that the new era of electric vehicles won't necessarily be dull and boring.

The bright orange colour scheme, the ridiculously large 23-inch alloy wheels, and the muscular styling were all designed to show the world that an electric car can still be highly desirable.

Dodge believes that enthusiasts will warm to the ZEO concept. People who like this concept want to be environmentally responsible, they also exhibit a "need for speed."

The biggest problem facing modern day electric cars is that their range is still fairly limited due to the slow evolution of battery technology, which car companies believe will hinder sales. 

The theory goes that if it can't drive interstate or across borders, then people won't want it.

Dodge claims the new ZEO concept has a range of "at least" 250 miles, which is about 400 kilometres, which is considered a bare minimum cruising range.

Specifications:

  • Vehicle Type
    Battery Electric Vehicle,
    performance sedan
    2+2 passenger seating

  • Weight and Dimensions
    Weight 1542kg (3400 lbs.)
    Length 4390mm
    Height 1290mm
    Width 1944mm
    Wheelbase 2792mm
    Turn circle 12.2m

  • Powertrain and Suspension
    Layout Rear wheel drive
    Motor Single electric
    Power: 200kW (268 hp)
    Regenerative braking
    Battery 64 kWh Li-ion battery pack
    Suspension Front – SLA
    Rear – SLA

  • Wheels and Tyres
    Tyre size front P225/40 R23
    Tyre size rear P255/40 R23

  • Color Scheme
    Exterior Orange Metallic
    Interior Super White

  • Performance
    0-96km/h 5.7 seconds
    Standing ¼ mile 11.0 seconds
    Top speed 209km/h (130mph)
    All-electric range 400km (250 miles)
    Equivalent mpg 120 mpg

Related Articles:
Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (2008)
Dodge Journey (2008)
Dodge Avenger (2007)
- Dodge Nitro (2007)
- Dodge Viper SRT10 (2008)
- 392 HEMI Dodge Challenger Super Stock (concept)
- Dodge Avenger (concept)
- Dodge Caliber (2007)
- Dodge Challenger (concept)
- Dodge Charger (2006)
- Dodge Viper SRT-10 (2003)

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