Unveiled at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the Dodge ZEO concept has muscular forms and proportions, with its reduced height and the 23-inch wheels positioned at the corners.
These extreme characteristics makes the ZEO a concept car targeted to high-tech and driving enthusiasts who are less family-oriented and place less emphasis on practicality.
“The Dodge ZEO concept is designed to break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like,” said Bill Zheng, Dodge ZEO principal exterior designer.
“An electric car can be as expressive as any gasoline-powered vehicle. The Dodge ZEO concept proves that point, and then some.”
To this end, the ZEO’s body has been given an active, three-dimensional form, with the fenders boldly offset to the body.
The advanced propulsion system is electric-only with a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles.
The 200 kilowatt (268 horsepower) single-electric motor is coupled with a rear-wheel drive system
The 0-60 mph sprint take less than six seconds, which rivals Chrysler’s HEMI powerplant.
From the official Press Release:
Exterior Design
Nestled between the robust circular wheel arches, ZEO’s taut, elongated beltline ends with the signature Dodge kick-up at the rear, where the reverse-angle C-pillar is planted directly over the rear wheel arch.
Inspired in part by the architecture of a Möbius strip, Dodge ZEO’s rakish A-pillars curve into extended roof rails that twist and converge as they race rearward.
The ZEO Concept is unveiled at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show
The windshield glass continues in an unbroken, curving plane nearly to the rear of the car, giving both front and rear passengers an unimpeded, all-around view while showcasing ZEO’s inventive interior.
Other expressive details include “scissor” doors, front and rear lamps treated as separate sculptural forms, and the “ZEO Orange” and dark silver exterior.
“The lit crossbar grille,” says Zheng, “is designed to communicate the use of electricity as the ZEO’s power source.”
Interior Design
Targeted to youthful customers, the interior is inspired by organic forms and wireless technology.
“The Dodge ZEO concept is an example of designing for people who are used to a dynamic lifestyle and who are surrounded with information and virtual friends at all times,” says Lou Gasevski, principal interior designer of the Dodge ZEO concept.
The entire cabin is treated as if it were a single piece of sculpture.
A broad sloping fabric-wrapped surface in front of the driver curves dramatically into the door and quarter panel.
It then sweeps around the back panel to the opposite side quarter and door, ending in a sloping surface in front of the passenger.
This design approach blends the usually separate-looking parts of the interior into a unified whole.
A narrow strip of blue LED accent lighting on the doors and quarters lead to the back panel, adding to the sweeping effect. Most of the interior surfaces of the ZEO concept are colored in Super White, adding to the sculptural impression.
A slim center console slopes down from the windshield of the Dodge ZEO, creating a dual-cockpit effect. It then levels off to divide the cabin by continuing clear to the back panel. To avoid visual clutter, customary controls and a viewing screen are set flush with the surface.
The steering wheel, column and instruments are treated as a single freestanding design element.
The steering wheel has two vertical spokes, set closely together, leaving 80 percent of the rim “open” for maximum visibility.
The laid-back center hub, containing the driver air bag and auxiliary switches, is stationary, with the wheel rim revolving around it. Left and right horizontal paddle-levers just behind the wheel rim activate the remote radio functions.
The sloping plane of the center hub, which cantilevers forward above the steering column, houses the instruments which are displayed on a thin blue acrylic viewing screen set directly in front of the driver. The entire elegant multi-piece ensemble adjusts with the wheel rim to the driver’s needs.
Doors and quarters are bisected by a flaring, wide-to-narrow dark gray panel separating the upper and lower surfaces—with the lower portion of the door and quarter curving inboard to provide an armrest surface. Milled aluminum door pull handles, placed diagonally, act as accents.
Contrasting colored Copperhead stitching follows the forms of the ZEO’s Super White leather seats. For maximum comfort, the four bucket seats sport highly-contoured bolsters on the seat cushions and backs.
When in the down position, the slim sculpted headrests nestle neatly into the tops of the upper seatbacks. The seat shells are constructed from milled aluminum, with video screens integrated into the front seatbacks.
With its bold exterior and curving, sculptural interior, the ZEO concept appeals to Dodge brand customers who want value, expressive design and useful technology.
(Source: Dodge)
