The Red Monkey

Today behind the internet buzz surrounding Google’s all new Android based phone being offered on TMobile Chrysler quietly introduced the world to the first EV Town and Country along with an EV Jeep and a mule in a Lotus Europa skin. Autoblog has a great write up about these vehicles with some shots of them.

What makes this really interesting is that with all the fanfare and hoopla surrounding the Volt, Chrysler secretly developed these vehicles and made production ready versions, except for the sports car which obviously needs a Dodge skin applied which we could only hope is the Dodge Demon enthusiasts have been waiting for. Its really exciting to see the promise of two very popular Chrysler vehicles getting the EV treatment.

The Jeep EV uses an electric motor making 200kW (268 hp) and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the Chrysler EV uses a 190kW (255-hp) motor making 258 lb-ft of torque. If these numbers end up being realistic then they have a couple of real winners. The other prospect is what kind of range enhancing motors will be available as well, will there be a 4 banger or a 6 squeezed in for a more typical hybrid or is this the direction that Chrysler sees taking all of its vehicles?

Check out these official Chrysler videos and the pictures of the new vehicles in the gallery.

So here are a ton of pics from the epic Cherry’s Jubilee Show n’ Shine on Cannery Row. As with a lot of general rod shows there was a serious lack of Mopar to be seen but I think my favorite was the 1972 Challenger with the blown HEMI. There were lots of great cars to see and as always the owners were very friendly. In the last two years this show has grown quite a bit down at Laguna Seca with the addition of Big Rigs and bikes. Enjoy the pics, by clicking on the picture at the top or enjoy these little videos that were broadcast live via qik.

Here is a preview for the Cherry’s Jubilee auto event here in Monterey this very weekend. Lots of great hot rods, food and music. Tonight is a cruise down Alvarado and then tomorrow on Cannery Row. For more information on the event go HERE. I also have some pics to throw up there.