When it came to thinking about the future of family transportation, Chrysler called upon the people who will own and live with such a vehicle – millennials working inside the company’s design and engineering functions – to collaborate on ideas. Armed with research on what the millennial generation values and desires, the team created a forward-thinking interpretation of the “fifth generation” of family transportation – the Chrysler Portal concept, created by millennials for millennials.
Millennials are tech-savvy, environmentally-aware and cost-conscious. To balance those needs and to be an integral part of millennials’ lives, the Chrysler Portal concept is designed to maximise interior space with an impressive degree of flexibility between seating and cargo configurations; to enable users to include and expand their social media communities with seamless wireless integration between the vehicle and mobile devices; to take advantage of technologic advances in battery-electric powertrains and the growth of a rapid recharging network; and to deliver these capabilities in a powerful, high-tech form that uses LED lighting as a key design element and not as a mere accent.
Millennials have become the largest demographic. In the next 10-plus years, most will be at a point in their life where they will begin to start or will have started a family; 75 percent of all children will have a millennial parent and there will be 4 million more children than today. The millennial generation is defined as people born between 1982 and 2001.
The four modes of family transportation have been defined as station wagons, MPVs, SUVs and crossovers, but millennials will seek their own version of a family vehicle. Based on Chrysler’s internal research, they will want a vehicle that is reflective of their personality, offers value and flexibility, integrates advanced technology and is socially responsible.
Millennials are seeking practical and functional products that provide both capability and a sense of personal style. They also need affordability and look to own vehicles long-term. As a result, they want a vehicle that can be upgraded as their lives change, and they expect seamless integration of technology in and out of the vehicle, including to home and other devices.
While millennials are a broad group of consumers at varying life stages, the Chrysler Portal concept is designed and engineered with all life stages and lifestyles in mind, including active/adventure, single, married/partnered, those with newborns and older children.
The Chrysler concept explores the possibility of what a family transportation vehicle could look like for the millennial generation as their lifestyles evolve. The flexibility, adaptability and technology features also make it ideal for business and commercial applications, such as ride hailing, car sharing and delivery services.
Designed from the inside out, the interior of the Chrysler Portal concept offers the driver and passengers a “third space” – an open and serene atmosphere that provides an alternative environment between work and home. There are more than 20 available technologies on board designed to engage, inform and connect the driver and passengers. The vehicle provides an adaptable and upgradable user experience that anticipates the users’ needs and can evolve with lifestyle changes and technology advancements.
The exterior makes a clean, simple yet strong design statement, amplified by refined lines along the body and a strong, planted stance.
The all-electric prototype is propelled by a single electric motor driving the front wheels. A lithium-ion battery pack, rated at around 100kWh, is integrated into the vehicle underbody, which increases structural rigidity and provides a low centre of gravity, which enhances handling and ride comfort. The estimated range on a full change is more than 400 kilometres. 
Read about Chrysler’s collaboration with Google on self-driving MPVs.
