The Chrysler Citadel was a concept car shown at the 2000 Washington DC Auto Show. A hybrid with a petrol V6 driving the rear wheels and an electric motor at the front, it was described by Chrysler as the inspiration for the production Pacifica.
Chrysler Citadel at a glance
| Type | hybrid concept car |
|---|---|
| Shown | 2000 Washington DC Auto Show |
| Petrol engine | 3.5 L V6, 253 hp (189 kW) |
| Electric motor | 70 hp (52 kW), driving the front wheels |
| Layout | petrol rear-wheel drive, electric front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | four-speed automatic |
| Production influence | Chrysler Pacifica |
| Name reused | Dodge Durango Citadel trim |
This page is based on one source, the short English Wikipedia article on the Chrysler Citadel; no free photographs of the concept were found, so the page keeps the existing lead image.
History of the Chrysler Citadel
What it was
The Citadel combined a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine producing 253 hp with an electric motor adding 70 hp. The petrol engine drove the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic while the electric motor drove the front axle, a layout Chrysler said gave better performance at the rear. The car was presented as a hybrid with good performance rather than as an economy special.
Legacy
Chrysler described the Citadel as the inspiration for the production Chrysler Pacifica, the crossover that reached showrooms in 2003. The Citadel name was later reused as a trim level on the Dodge Durango.
Design and features
- Two-source hybrid: a 253 hp V6 at the rear and a 70 hp electric motor at the front.
- Rear-drive petrol power: the V6 drove the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic.
- Design influence: the concept Chrysler credited as the starting point for the Pacifica.
Chrysler Citadel versions
- Citadel concept (2000): the single show car shown in Washington.
- Dodge Durango Citadel: the later production trim that reused the name.
The Citadel led to the Chrysler Pacifica crossover, and its hybrid thinking is also reflected in the later 200C EV concept. More cars are in the Chrysler collection.
Video: Chrysler Citadel hybrid concept
Video by Men and Motors on YouTube.
Sources
- Chrysler Citadel, English Wikipedia: powertrain, performance, legacy
