Veggie-stained leather showcases Chrysler Airflow’s eco ambitions

By Jim Holder

5 Jan 2022

The Chrysler Airflow has been revealed, underlining once again that electric motors aren’t the only innovation aimed at cleaning up the environmental impact of cars of the future: this latest concept car featuring a new vegetable-stained leather and recycled carpet inside.

The Airflow concept has been long promised, and gives clues as to how the first all-electric model from the all-American mega-brand will look when it launches in 2025. It is also the first step in a planned revival of the brand by parent firm Stellantis: Chrysler was one of the 'big three' US car brands, but has struggled in recent years and now only offers a single vehicle: the Pacifica minivan.

The new Airflow presents the first vision of the brand's future. Notably it is claimed to be capable of 350-400 miles per charge when paired with a 2021bhp motor on each axle, and tantalisingly Chrysler has hinted that larger motors could be fitted to produce hotter versions of the car in future.

But while that’s competitive with what rivals are expected to offer by that date, possibly it is the wider design cues that are more exciting for potential buyers, with Chrysler taking a holistic approach to trying to convey the car’s eco credentials.

Most significantly this has led to the low-slung shape of the Airflow, in order to maximise aerodynamic efficiency and maximise its range between charges. In that regard it apes the already on sale Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Airflow is also notably long and wide compared to some rivals, which its maker says it should have especially dynamic handling.

Other details also include the so-called vegetable-tanned leather. While it doesn’t save a cow from parting with its hide, vegetable tanning is regarded as the most environmentally friendly way of colouring leather as it uses natural tannins rather than chemical ones and is faster to biodegrade than chemically-produced equivalents. Underscoring its commitment to the environment, the carpet is also made from recycled materials.

Emphasising the Airflow’s tech-led approach is the large central infotainment screen, separate digital displays that sit in front of the driver and passenger and additional screens for rear-seat passengers, all of which are camera-enabled to allow occupants to make video calls on the go. Don’t panic if the thought of the driver undertaking a conference call alarms you, either - the car is set to feature self-driving technology that would - theoretically at least - allow them to concentrate on a call while it watches the road.

If a 2025 on-sale date sounds late to the EV party, that first car will be swiftly followed by a suite of models that will lead Chrysler to only be selling electric vehicles by 2028. That rapid rollout has been made possible after the firm was bought by the Stellantis Group a year ago, the 14-brand firm also owning Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot and Vauxhall.