Can This SUV Save Chrysler?Manufacturer (Manufacturer)It’s getting hard to think of a modern car with as convoluted a history as the upcoming Chrysler Airflow, and it isn’t even out yet. The saga has taken its latest twist thanks to a video published by Stellantis briefly illustrating its latest powertrain strategy that shows five vehicles including the upcoming Airflow.How We’re Sure It’s the AirflowWe’re confident that’s the Airflow on the left side of the video for a few reasons, the first being Stellantis showed us the real thing during a recent closed-door preview event in Michigan.You don’t have to take our word for it, though, because if you look hard enough you can see the new Chrysler logo in the middle of the light bar on the nose, the same one that appears on the updated Pacifica minivan. Finally, as Chrysler only has three new SUVs in the works and two of them are based on small Fiat crossovers we’ve already seen, we can be sure this one is the Airflow.Chrysler Airflow cutaway view showing the drivetrain.Manufacturer (Manufacturer)What To Expect From the AirflowThe video includes cutaway views of each vehicle’s powertrains and the Airflow in this rendering sports a front-wheel-drive configuration without any hybrid or EV equipment, nor an all-wheel-drive system. That doesn’t necessarily mean those won’t be options, though. The Airflow is to be built on the new STLA One platform which is capable of supporting all those technologies.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the video, the Airflow appears to employ a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is no surprise. The company has also said there will be an EV model, and we think there’s likely to be a hybrid or plug-in hybrid as well. All-wheel drive is a no-brainer in this category.As to which exact engines, Stellantis has several to choose from. On the current roster for front-drive vehicles are multiple turbocharged four-cylinder engines and an old but trusty V-6. Some of these are already used in hybrid variants.Front view of the Chrysler Airflow.Manufacturer (Manufacturer)Why the Airflow Story is ConfusingThe original Chrysler Airflow was released in the 1930s and, despite the advanced aerodynamics that give it its name, was a total flop. Chrysler dusted off the moniker in 2022 with the Airflow Concept, which was nothing like the original or the car you see here. The concept was a pure EV and featured smooth, rounded bodywork.2022 Chrysler Airflow Concept.MotorTrend - MotorTrend (MotorTrend - MotorTrend)The concept wasn’t enthusiastically received, so Chrysler then told us it would be redesigned and also get a new name. The former certainly happened, and we found clues suggesting it could be renamed Vivid, but Chrysler has apparently backtracked on the name change.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe new Airflow, the one actually going into production, will have multiple powertrains. Its design, meanwhile, looks like a cross between Volvo in the back and Cadillac in the front. The overall shape is boxy with hard, straight lines and nothing like the concept.It’s also smaller and expected to be cheaper than what we thought the concept might be. The production car is sized to compete with compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Chrysler says it’ll start under $40,000, significantly less than the projected $50,000 price tag for the larger concept.Chrysler Airflow (left) with other upcoming Stellantis vehicles.Manufacturer (Manufacturer)