Chrysler Patriot Turbine/Electric Race Car is Dumped

06/12/96

For three years Chrysler has been working on the development of the sleek Electric race car code named The Patriot in the hopes of running it in the 24 hours of LeMans to showcase MOPAR technology. The car never made it to the street or to the test track, however, much less to the race track, and Chrysler engineering has thrown in the sponge.

The car resembled an IMSA Ferrari 333SP or Riley & Scott Olds racer and had a turbine that would power an electric motor, but it just didn't work out. Engineering Chief Francois Castain commented,"We've learned a lot about hybrid technology and that we are stopping doesn't mean we failed."

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel