The Concept:
Lightweight and low cost. The Dodge ESX3 concept car shows you don't have to sacrifice one to achieve the other. ”The main structure of the Dodge ESX3 has only 12 pieces,” said Bernard Robertson, Senior Vice President – Engineering Technologies and General Manager – Truck Operations, DaimlerChrysler. ”That compares to up to 100 metal pieces in a conventional car. In addition to the significant challenge of developing highly fuel efficient cars, PNGV engineers are also working on solutions to further reduce exhaust emissions. While the Dodge ESX3 meets the initial emission targets set by the Partnership in 1993, continued work on low-sulfur and synthetic fuels, new exhaust aftertreatment technologies and cleaner combustion processes is necessary to meet future standards.



The Specs:
Engine: 1.5-liter direct injection diesel
Material: Aluminum block and cylinder heads, Peak power 74 horsepower, Maximum engine speed 4200 rpm
Electric Motor/Generator: Permanent magnet, Peak power 20 horsepower, Maximum engine speed 4500 rpm
Batteries: Lithium-ion, Pack voltage 165V, Peak Power 21 kW
Transmission: EMAT – Electro Mechanical Automatic Transmission
Suspension: McPherson strut in front, unique trailing arm suspension in rear
Vacuum-assisted brakes
Acceleration: (0-60 mph) 11 seconds (est.)
Five Passengers
Recyclability: 80 percent
Fuel Tank Capacity: 6 gallons, Range 400 miles (est.), Fuel Economy - 72 mpg (est. combined city/highway), Fuel - Zero sulfur, designer diesel



Dimensions:
Overall Length: 192.8”
Overall Width: 74.2”
Overall height: 55.3”
Wheelbase: 118.1”
Front/Rear Track: 63.2”
Interior Volume: 102.6 cubic feet
Cargo Volume: 16 cubic feet
Curb Weight: 2,250 lbs.
Coefficient of Drag: 0.22

DaimlerChrysler Media...

redriderbob

 

what is that body? a DCX twist of a CTX? kinda like it, like the 70+ mpg.

 

I have written a bit about the ESX3 and the PNGV project in my book "Horsepower War" which can be viewed at Amazon.com. The idea in '93 was to "leapfrog" over existing technologies by having the big three share technology - sort of like a Manhattan project for higher efficiency. The idea was that they would introduce these models for the 2001 model year. The working prototypes were finished by 2001, but of course you don't see them for sale. There was some controversy as one engineer on the project worked up a non-electric 'hybrid' that captured braking energy hydraulically. You've seen this system on Ford's Powerstroke Tonka concept from a couple years ago. I believe they made the technology the patent of Ford, even though he was working in this "partnership."

The Bush administration killed the project in favor of "FreedomCar" which is supposed to focus on hydrogen cars.

I think Dodge was the only one to build mostly with carbon fiber, as the GM model focused more on very complicated cooling system and more complicated electric drive system for both front and back wheels. The Dodge was able to use a simpler, less expensive hybrid drive because of the weight savings of carbon fiber.

The fuel economy is great, but can you imagine what kind of performance you could get out of this if you wanted "only" 35mpg combined (that's still more than 25% above the CAFE "passenger car" standard and 70% above the "light truck" standard) you could use a small V-8 and get scorching acceleration. The engine could have a pretty radical tune, because it's not running accessories and pumps, and the electric part of the powertrain supplies all the low end torque. You could eliminate costly elements like variable valve timing or cylinder shut-off as well, since the engine would be designed to make lots of high end power over a narrower rpm band, and wouldn't be turned on unless power or charge was needed.

Several years ago I wrote up a fictional Motor Trend review of a 2006 Charger sort of like the above. I'll try to find it and post it here.

 

The ESX3 Concept is the only ESX Concept not to carry the Intrepid name in the ESX nameplate. The ESX was a enviromental friendly car, based on the Intrepid platform, matter of fact the Intrepid ESX looks just like the 1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid production model. Let me show you...

redriderbob

 

The Concept:
The Dodge Intrepid ESX concept vehicle answers three vital design challenges by providing the performance and roominess of today's family cars, breaking new ground in styling and experimenting with innovative power train solutions. The Dodge Intrepid ESX offers a glimpse of what a family sports sedan could be in the future.

The Specs:
Engine: Two Zytec Electric Motors, 125 Horsepower (est.) each, 1.8 Liter IDI VM Diesel-Powered Kohler Alternator for Battery Pack, 75 Horsepower
Drivetrain: Direct Rear-Drive Wheel Motors
Body: Four-Door Family Sedan, All Aluminum Unitized Construction, Weight - 2,880 pounds
Suspension: Front - Modified Double-Wishbone, Rear - Semi-Trailing Arm Suspension
Brakes: Four-Wheel Disc with Regenerative Braking
Steering: Electrically Powered Rack-and-Pinion
Color: Chili Pepper Red exterior with Driftwood and Chili Pepper Red interior

Dimensions:
Overall Length: 195”
Overall Width: 76”
Wheelbase: 113”
Overall Height: 52.6”
Front Track: 65.6”
Rear Track: 67”
Cast Aluminum Wheels: Front 7 Β½ x 19
Cast Aluminum Wheels: Rear 7 Β½ x 20
Tires: Goodyear Front P235/45R19
Tires: Goodyear Rear P235/50R20

DaimlerChrysler Media

redriderbob

 

The Concept:
Designed to help solve the transportation challenges of the 21st century, the Dodge Intrepid ESX2 concept vehicle represents a giant step forward in making alternative-power vehicles affordable for consumers and cost effective for businesses.



The Specs:
Power plant: 1.5 – liter three-cylinder direct-injected diesel combined with a small lead acid battery
Transmission: Five-speed electronically shifted manual
Body panels: Simulated mold-in color thermoplastic polyester (actual material is painted carbon fiber)
Peak Horsepower: 74
Peak Torque: 155
Driving Range: 420 miles
Fuel Efficiency: 70 mpg
Target Weight: 2,250 pounds
Coefficient of drag 0.19
Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 12 seconds

DaimlerChrysler Media.

redriderbob

 

More pictures of the ESX3 Concept:











redriderbob

 

redriderbob

 

Did Dodge ever come out with any of these Intrepid ESX cars.
I know the first ESX never came out.
But what about the ESX 2 and 3.
Did Dodge ever come out with these cars?
I dont remember seeing them in the show rooms.
Could someoine have bought one of these ESX cars directly from Dodge in the late 90s? The cars look really nice.

 

No, they did not make this. The Charger 4-door sedan replaced the Intrepid in 2006. The Charger began production in 2005 and this concept must have just aided in the design of the new 2006 Charger.