Dodge Circuit EV – Going All Out for Ugly

Published on January 12th, 2009

Detroit Auto Show – Dodge Circuit EV – All Circuits Are Busy. Try Back in 2010. – List – NYTimes.com — This has got to be the worst looking electric vehicle ever designed. It looks like it was done by a high school kid using after-market parts trying to copy a design from a 1970’s Hot Wheels toy. And the color? Cripes! Chrysler is doomed.

Chrysler calls this all-electric performance sports car a prototype — but didn’t say whether it will be first Chrysler electric vehicle to be produced out of its ENVI portfolio of “production-intent” vehicles.

WHAT THEY SAID The Dodge Circuit EV displays bold exterior and interior styling with outstanding performance, zero gasoline consumption and zero tailpipe emissions. It has all new front and rear-end designs from the version that was shown in the fall.

Note the use of the word “bold” rather than the word “hideous.”

50 users responded in " Dodge Circuit EV – Going All Out for Ugly "

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# 1 green said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

It looks like a mishmash of parts from various models. Charger, Avenger, Viper parts stuck together.

# 2 TOM said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Chrysler will be just a distant memory at this time next year anyway…

# 3 Sam said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Before slinging around such dramatic accusations it’s best to remember what a truly hideous vehicle looks like, i.e. the Pontiac Aztek.

# 4 jescott418 said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

Looks like a matchbox car. So why does Detroit big 3 feel they must WOW us with impractical vehicles in a time when they are making lousy real world vehicles. Maybe they should stop dreaming and start dealing with their problems today. These kind of car designs even if produced are not going to be big sellers.
Even the $40,000 Volt is not going to turn a lot of heads at that price. It’s almost like the big three are always trying to one up the rest.

# 5 pedro said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Your bailout dollars well spent.

# 6 Mr Diesel said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

The car looks good to me and if I had the money to blow on it I would buy one.

# 7 Bob said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Doesn’t look any worse than the Tesla Roadster, in other words it looks pretty cool to me. As far as the color, Dvorak must not remember the Chrysler/Dodge heyday in the musclecar era as this color along with many others is right from their paint warehouse i.e. Hemi Orange and Plum Crazy.

# 8 laxdude said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

#1 I would say it looks more like they took a bunch of spare Lotus bodywork and glued it to a Dodge Neon.

# 9 Johnny said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

It does look like a Tesla / Lotus Elise with a Viper front end.

With the physics of aerodynamics, all electric vehicles will end up looking the same. The teardrop shape is the best and you see it with the Prius and new Insight.

We are entering a period of automotive homogeneity and styling will become secondary to substance.

# 10 User7 said, on January 12th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

Looks just like every other car that they make.

# 11 Mister Mustard said, on January 12th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

It doesn’t look all THAT bad. You want to see ugly, go find a Pontiac Aztek. Gak.

# 12 Improbus said, on January 12th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Half of the ugly is the orange paint job.

# 13 Buzz said, on January 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

That’s not just all-out ugly, that is dumb-and-a-half ugly.

That’s so ugly that car washes will throw up on it.

That’s so ugly that it’s in my dictionary as the picture for ugly.

That’s so ugly that when it was entered in an ugly car contest, they said, “Sorry, no professionals.”

That’s so ugly it scares flies off of road kill.

That’s so ugly that its shadow quit.

That’s so ugly that when it was used as a getaway car, they let it get away.

That’s so ugly that people at the car show pay NOT to see it.

That’s so ugly that dogs refuse to chase it.

That’s so ugly that it makes blind pedestrians cry.

That’s so ugly that they won’t let it on ferries.

That’s so ugly that people go out as it on Halloween.

That’s so ugly that it looks like it was designed with a fork.

That’s so ugly that Edsels are jealous.

That’s so ugly that its license plate reads “FKN DOG”.

That’s so ugly that its own mirrors keep breaking.

That’s so ugly that the car company committed suicide.

# 14 chuck said, on January 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

It’s a Lotus Europa with a Chrysler grill stuck on the front:

see: http://tinyurl.com/9fzxjb

# 15 Sinn Fein said, on January 12th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

AN ORANGE NIGHTMARE!

# 16 Canine said, on January 12th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

I like it, yep it’s a lotus alright. Who am I to judge though I think mini’s are cool.

# 17 sargasso said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Chrysler stopped being a car company, decades ago. They make car badges.

# 18 Steve S said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As Chuck mentions, it does look remarkably like a Lotus Europa.

As to some of the other people here…
What. Do you want all cars to only look like square drab utilitarian people transporters?
http://tinyurl.com/9q7f2d
That is my definition of ugly.

# 19 James Hill said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

#11 – Is that Mustard Orange there, Angry Whopper?

# 20 Craig said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

As was stated. It’s a Lotus Europa with running gear by Chrysler. I don’t think it looks bad at all.

# 21 Jim said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

you’re right about the color, they could have used a much better one. but i am thinking they wanted to show the aero lines to the people at the show, something that a red or a black might not do as well for photos.

that being said, it’s actually not that bad a car from a design standpoint. it’s definitely not an Aztec (the Windows ME of pontiacs). the side scoops and the hood scoop are not bad looking. if i had the cash, i would drive it.

# 22 bill said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Tailpipe? Does it have a tailpipe? And where do you get the plutonium to generate the electricity to run the thing?

Oh, come on it’s not that bad! Not as hideous as the BMW 7 series rear end.

# 23 jobs said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

I think is a good looking car… well it would be in black or silver.

# 24 Dave W said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

As ugly as the new Honda Insight or Toyota Prius, or any number of in production cars. Ugly—it’s the new hot!

# 25 Angel H. Wong said, on January 12th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

One more proof that the big 3 are out of touch with reality.

# 26 JayT said, on January 12th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

To all of the people that say it looks like a Tesla or a Lotus, that is because it (like the Tesla) is based on a Lotus.
I think it looks decent, not quite as good as a real Lotus, but a hell of a lot better then a Prius!

As far as the color goes, I might be in the minority, but I am a big fan of orange cars. Show cars are supposed to be flashy anyways.

# 27 jrich said, on January 12th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

JayT I completely agree. That makes 2 out of 26, hehehe.

# 28 chris said, on January 12th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Lotus and mini-Viper, count me in!

Why weren’t there any condemnations of the Honda electric shown earlier? The Honda prototype CRZ shown last year was sublime, but who buys a prius for looks?

Come on, this is pretty spiffy for an American car company. They haven’t had the design force since what ummm 1970s at least.

# 29 Al Z said, on January 12th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

What happened to fuel efficiency ?
Aren’t we going the wrong way here ?
Yet I guess it is what to be expected
More money for the bailouts

# 30 Paul Camp said, on January 12th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

Aside from the color, does it really look any worse than a Tesla?

# 31 Ottokar said, on January 12th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

It’s no uglier than the Tesla. I say good on you, Dodge!

# 32 Buzz said, on January 12th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

Ugly. The new beautiful?

# 33 BubbaRay said, on January 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

#3, Sam, #11, Mr. Mustard,

Is it really as bad as the Aztek? As a car that thing deserves the UKKMA and the BRDDA.

I’ll bet the Dodge wouldn’t be half as bad in production (they always tone that stuff down) and in a nice glossy black paint job.

# 34 Ah_Yea said, on January 12th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

Oh YES! My Dream CAR!

I can just put it right on my slot car track and beat the other fools HANDS DOWN!

Huh? What? It’s a REAL CAR, not a SLOT CAR!??

(But you SAID it was ELECTRIC??)

(Caplock courtesy ECA)

# 35 bobbo said, on January 12th, 2009 at 10:40 pm

The CEO of GM was making the news rounds today on tv. Actually he identified the American Hypocrisy that is at the heart of the Big 3 troubles==with gas below $3/gal, Americans won’t pay the premium for a hybrid car.

So, Big 3 make and sell efficient cars in Europe where gas is $6 but can’t cover their cost in the USA which STILL PREFERES SUV’s.

Probably more truth there than we zealots of various kinds want to admit. Its partly why I’ve been for an increasing gas tax since the shock of 1973==somehow, there is never the right time to do it.

# 36 BubbaRay said, on January 13th, 2009 at 12:14 am

Bobbo, you and I usually agree on many things, but I’m absolutely opposed to another tax. Why? Because it won’t go for the intended purpose, just increase the coffers and place a hardship on people who are already having a hard time making ends meet. Not to mention the increased of cost of goods nationwide, as that will be passed on to the consumer by the shipping companies.

What would be the purpose of such a tax? Why, I guess you could hire some more fine folks to work for the government to administer it. Then what?

Dang, the tax is already outrageous! Especially considering the current condition of the Interstate system.

Some facts: As of October 1, 2008:

* The nationwide average tax on gasoline is 48.4 cents per gallon as of October 2008, down 1 cent from July 2008.
* The nationwide average tax on motor diesel fuel is 53.6, a decrease of 2.8 cents from the July 2008 study.

Let’s see, half a buck per gallon times 390 million gallons/day, hmm. That’s an insane amount of money already. Good Grief, Charlie Brown!

Tell you what. You figure out how much you want the tax increased and send that “pocket change” to me every time you fill up. I’m sure I can put it to good use.

# 37 bobbo said, on January 13th, 2009 at 12:34 am

Here’s the competition: Prius 2010 Model:

http://dailytech.com/2010+Toyota+Prius+Officially+Unveiled/article13920.htm

# 38 bobbo said, on January 13th, 2009 at 12:45 am

#6–Bubba==Wow. Nobody “should” agree with half of what I post. You usually only educate me on things scientific. I am honored to return the favor:

From your own post, you are not against new taxes, but rather are against tax revenue being misspent. It is a crying shame “fraud and abuse” were not a line item in the budget. Even then, it would probably withstand assault by civic minded altruists.

Money is fungible. It hardly matters at all what any specific revenue source is for any tax dollar spent. Money is like that.

But additional taxes for fuel only makes sense. As Misanthro Scott posts here much better than I, the true cost of gasoline is currently subsidized. The “real” cost can only be captured by the taxman. But forget that.

After raising revenue, the chief purpose of the tax code is to encourage/discourage certain behaviors. Providing the least impactful way to encourage the “free” (ie currently secretly subsidized) market system to adopt/transition to green energy can be assured thru a small at first but growing additional tax to be spent as determined.

A general tax to make carbon fuel more expensive and allowing the market to find the best alternatives is FAR FAR better than the government trying to select the winning strategies==so far a subsidy on THE WORSE CHOICE THAT COULD BE MADE: Bio fuels from food stocks.

No, Bubba–go ahead and hate taxes, we all do, but look to the stars for any reasonable alternative==don’t hold your breath.

# 39 BubbaRay said, on January 13th, 2009 at 2:32 am

Yep, if it’s a general fund type deal, then it’s all fungible. But if it’s earmarked for improving the Interstate system, fine. I’m just against any tax to change the behavior of folks that have to buy gas to live.

I don’t know about you, but I’m taxed to death already. If you want to legislate better fuel economy, beat up the car companies. Now there’s some pork, and we’re going to have to bail them out? Jeez, they’re losing money partly because of those great pensions the unions forced on the manufacturers. All these people retiring and the mfgs. have to pay them to do nothing. Now that’s a burden not many businesses can withstand. Guess who’s going to pay that pension deal now?

But don’t raise my tax on gasoline because of the mfgs. inability to produce fuel efficient cars. I can’t even afford to buy a new car (not that I’d want to). The depreciation alone when you drive it off the lot is enough incentive to look for a 2 year old.

# 40 GF said, on January 13th, 2009 at 3:42 am

The black and red version is nice. And yes the Tesla and the Circuit are based on the Lotus Europa.

# 41 Joe said, on January 13th, 2009 at 4:37 am

gorram piece of gossa

# 42 Santiago said, on January 13th, 2009 at 5:15 am

There’s no denial. The Big 3, including Chrysler have made enormous mistakes on quality, purpose,etc of the cars they make.

On the other hand, if Chrysler were to make the Dodge Circuit afordable and on the principles of Total Quality, I would buy this baby….Hey I am a Seventies Man.

I really like the way this car looks!!!

# 43 Paddy-O said, on January 13th, 2009 at 7:28 am

No data about range, charge times, etc. = not real.

# 44 Miguel said, on January 13th, 2009 at 9:04 am

Quite an attractive car, IMVHO, if it can be sold affordably and in less garish colors.

# 45 smartalix said, on January 13th, 2009 at 9:46 am

41,

Nice firefly ref.

As for fuel taxes, why do we piss and moan over a proposed 50-cent gas tax while swallowing the load from the speculators and oil companies without complaint? Exxon gets windfall profits, and we just pay what they ask.

# 46 BubbaRay said, on January 13th, 2009 at 10:04 am

#45, Smartalix,

Yes, correct. With one exception. I can do nothing about the tax, but I can ride the upturn with options or futures and make money from the rising price of gas/oil. The tax is just a burden, I’ll never get that money back. The govt. gets to keep and do with it what they please.

# 47 Billy Bob said, on January 13th, 2009 at 11:05 am

I think this was the tool they used to design it with.
http://tinyurl.com/858s4j

# 48 The0ne said, on January 13th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

Designs from Lotus but undoubtedly none of the performance parts made it like the Telsa?

I like the design of the car but not sure how practical they are.

# 49 orangetiki said, on January 13th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

IT looks like this car feel out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. I would MUCH rather drive a tesla then that. This “great pumpkin” reminds me of junk yard cars where they they get parts from different cars and make them fit. I could almost ask of Monster Garage was back on tv. Maybe it’s a prototype so they grabbed different parts, but please put some thought into it

# 50 JCA said, on January 20th, 2009 at 4:22 pm

What in the world are the people calling this car ugly talking about?

It has beautiful lines and very clean design. As far as color goes I’m sure it would be offered in more than just one. I’m not a fan of tangerine either.

I saw it in person yesterday at the auto show and I fell in love with it. If it goes to market I am seriously considering it as my next car. It does look like a Lotus and condensed Viper but it all works. The proportions are perfect. This car is a head turner and for all the right reasons.

I think Chrysler is doing a good job. Although it’s a concept vehicle it is a 100% working car unlike many of the other concept cars you see at the auto show.

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