End of the V8? Stellantis reveals latest advanced platform blends Dodge Hellcat power with 800km range!

January 27, 2024January 27, 2024 John Mahoney 2419 Views Dodge Hellcat, stellantis

Stellantis has pulled the drapes off its all-new STLA Large platform that it hopes will give it the edge when it comes to its biggest most expensive EVs from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Jeep.

Said to be an evolution of the STLA Medium underpinnings that the incoming Peugeot e-3008 will be based on, the new STLA Large Architecture has been specially designed for vehicles that measure between 4764mm and 5126mm long with wheelbases that can stretch from 2870mm to 3075mm.

Even though it’s been designed to be a dedicated EV platform, the new architecture can still home a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, if needed, while the highly flexible platform is also said to be compatible with front-, rear- or all-wheel drive powertrains.

Initially, the battery pack will vary in size from 85kWh to up to 118kWh with the most efficiency models offering the maximum 800km of range. Expect bigger power packs to follow, along with differing chemistries as the tech rapidly evolves.

First to use the new STLA Large platform will be the incoming Dodge Charger Daytona muscle car as well as the stylish new Jeep Wagoneer S SUV-coupe. Both will be impossibly quick, with the Wagoneer S set to pump out around 450kW and launch from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds.

The Charger EV, meanwhile, will be even faster and is tipped to come with a triple-motor set-up from the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore. If so, expect the Dodge EV to push out at least 660kW and for it to deliver a 0-100km/h dash of around 2 seconds.

When it starts underpinning future vehicles, the platform will help the Stellantis-owned brand’s deliver segment leading efficiency, as well as offering both 400-volt and 800-volt electrical architectures.
With the more 800-volt system, the on-board batteries will be capable of being charged at up to 270kW.

Helping maximise space within, the Stellantis group that also owns Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Lancia, Chrysler, Abarth and RAM has produced a compact three-in-one electric drive module that cleverly packages within one casing the motor, power inverter and transmission.

Reducing driveline losses, the inverter employs silicon carbide semiconductors. Stellantis says the new three-in-one electric drive modules have been developed to be upgraded over their lifespan, producing even more power over their life following over-the-air updates.

New chassis hardware developed to be compatible with the platform include traction-boosted limited-slip differentials that have both a performance and an off-road application.

Speaking of the latter, the new STLA Large architecture will also spin-off the new Land Rover Defender-rivalling Jeep Recon.

That means engineers have developed and ensured the platform will provide the capability needed for the rugged 4×4 to be Trail Rated-certified – Jeep’s stamp of approval that’s only given to its most capable off-roaders, meaning it will lead the EV segment for traction, ground clearance, wading, off-road articulation and general capability off road.

That said, the platform’s biggest limitation is it can only house tyres up to 33-inch wide. That means it will miss out on the largest 37-inch rubber favoured by the most extreme 4x4s. To compensate, the platform will be able to provide between 140mm to up a very respectable 288mm ground clearance.

More details are expected to be released on the latest platform with the launch of the incoming 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S and 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona.