- Stellantis has revealed details about the STLA Medium EV platform, which will debut in the US as an electric Chrysler model in 2026.
- The STLA Medium will offer long-range and standard batteries, with the latter offering a 98.0-kWh usable capacity that can provide a range of about 370 miles.
- Along with a 400-volt electrical system, the platform can be configured with front- or all-wheel drive.
Two years ago, Stellantis announced plans to introduce four global electric vehicle platforms. They include the STLA Small, Medium, Large and Frame designations, and today the company has revealed details about the STLA Medium platform, which will be the first of four to reach production starting this year in Europe.
While the first EV to use the STLA Medium platform is the next-generation Peugeot 3008, which is only sold overseas, the first US model will come from the Chrysler brand, but that’s not expected to arrive until 2026. The Chrysler Airflow Concept teases what this new EV will be like in 2021, but it’s currently unclear how similar it will be to the production version—or whether it’ll be called the Airflow.
STLA Simple Specification
Like most EV platforms, the Medium STLA is modular, meaning it can be configured with different dimensions, suspension and more. Along with a wheelbase that ranges from 106 to 114 inches, it can be equipped with a single electric motor on the front axle or motors on both axles. The former setup obviously provides front-wheel drive, and the latter provides all-wheel drive. Stellantis says power output will range from about 214 horsepower to around 382 horsepower.
The STLA Medium platform will also offer two battery sizes. Stellantis only revealed details about the larger battery with a usable capacity of 98.0-kWh. The company says it’s expected to deliver 435 miles of range per charge, but that’s based on the optimistic European WLTP test cycle. That translates to a range of about 370 miles based on the EPA’s methodology. Stellantis says the smaller standard battery is expected to provide 310 miles of WLTP-estimated range—or about 264 miles for the EPA’s possible estimate.
While some recent EVs feature a more powerful 800-volt electrical architecture, STLA’s Medium platform will use a 400-volt system. This is said to allow the battery to charge from 20 to 80 percent in 27 minutes using a DC fast charger. In a virtual meeting today with reporters, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said the company’s main reason for making the decision was to help ensure future EV models are affordable. He said that the STLA Medium platform is designed to accept an 800 volt system, so it is possible to introduce it on the road.
Not only is the STLA Medium platform designed to transition from 400- to 800-volt electrical systems in the future, but Stellantis says it will be able to accept new battery chemistries such as solid-state and nickel- and cobalt-free packs. To help with packaging costs and production volume, the STLA Medium battery pack’s perimeter dimensions are the same and feature a common tray design and cooling.
Stellantis plans to produce 2 million STLA Medium-based EVs annually, with the first batch starting in Europe and then heading to other markets. Although US customers will have to wait a few years, the Chrysler EV is expected to be soon followed by models from other Stellantis brands, particularly Jeep. Last fall, the company previewed an electric Wrangler-like Recon, and today a Stellantis representative mentioned that the STLA Medium platform will support EVs with “high off-road capabilities.”
Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s car addiction started before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up is to become a millionaire with a car collection like Jay Leno. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social media influencers say, so he eschews financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hire him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28 manual, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
