We talk a lot more about Stellantis lately, and rightly so, for its concerns about declining profitability, sluggish sales, and reliability of its models (PureTech, BlueHDI, Takata airbags, etc.). But that does not prevent the Franco-Italian-American group from continuing to communicate on its new products, and in this case, on its latest platform. And the figures do not fail to impress, even if they are currently questionable in terms of “ecology”.
Called “STLA Frame”, this latest platform, the third in a group of four, follows the “STLA medium” and the “STLA large”. She is designed for large pickups and large SUVssegments which have only relative importance in Europe, but which are key in North America and in certain global markets, such as those in Asian countries. This is why it will mainly be used by the Jeep and RAM brands, the only ones to market this type of huge machine within the Stellantis group.
Stellantis announces a record electric range of 800 km with its new “STLA Frame” platform
Those who were ecstatic about the 700 km of autonomy of the STLA medium platform in the long autonomy version should sit back down, this new platform promises 800 km of autonomy in 100% electric (BEV)! And even, up to 1,100 km of autonomy for a “REEV” variant (extended autonomy electric vehicle).
To achieve this result, the platform is already gigantic:
- Total length: 5488-5941 mm
- Total width: 2062-2124 mm
- Wheelbase: 3,143-3,690 mm
- Ground clearance: 168-262 mm
Up to 200 kWh battery capacity!
But above all, the capacities of the integrated accumulators will be out of all proportion to those already seen on other platforms. So, if the STLA Medium “700 km” arrives there with 97.5 kWh, here we will be able to have 159 to 200 kWh! Competitors are far behind with 131 kWh for the Ford F150 Lightning, or 123 kWh for the Tesla Cybertruck. So yes, even more autonomy, but with up to twice as much juice as on the STLA medium… Logical then, and ultimately much higher electrical consumption, just as logically given the models that use it. will be provided. We can therefore raise eyebrows here about the “ecological” aspect of the thing (resources, weight of vehicles, etc.).
Like all Stellantis platforms, the STLA Frame is multi-energythat is to say that it will be able to accommodate thermal, even hydrogen or hybrid engines in the future. The REEV version, with extended range, uses a lead-free battery and generator, which either supplies juice directly to the electric motor(s) or recharges the battery. A real “range extender” which allows you to possibly do away with long recharges, using full tanks of fuel, or simply add up to 300 km of range to the battery with a full tank.
The architecture of the STLA Frame is 800 Volts, which allows very fast recharges. Stellantis announces up to 350 kW, to recover up to 100 miles of autonomy in 10 minutes (or approximately 160 km). In the REEV version, it will be 400 Volts, 175 kW and 50 miles recovered at the same time.
The planned motors are announced for a power of 250 kW. There could be two, one on each axle, for a power of 500 kW, or 680 hp. 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) of the fastest model (not mentioned in the press release) will be achieved in 4.4 seconds.
Huge towing capacity, scalable platform
But that's not all, Stellantis communicates on other characteristics. Thus, the platform, which is quite high, will allow models equipped with it to cross fords 61 cm deep.
The maximum towing capacity of the platform will be 6.35 tonnes, and the payload will be 1,224 kg. Values which place it largely, especially the first, above the Tesla Cybertruck, or Ford F150 Lightning, or even Rivian R1T, the main competitors of the future Jeep and RAM models (around 4.5 tonnes only for them).
The suspensions will be pneumatic, with leveling under load (probably an option most often).
The platform also allows bidirectional V2L and V2G charging, to recharge or use electrical devices, or power a home or the national electricity grid. Finally, the platform is called “scalable”, with the possibility of adapting to new battery chemistries, new motors, new inverters or updated software. Still happy, one could say…
“As with the STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms, STLA Frame combines unprecedented range with new levels of capacity and performance to deliver best-in-class range, payload and towing capacity to our customers who have need reliable, powerful pickups and SUVs to transport their family or run their business“, said Carlos Tavares, president of Stellantis. “With the upcoming arrival of 100% electric technology and extended range electric vehicles, we offer no-compromise solutions to customers who may be hesitant to try their first electric vehicle. We're proud of this engineering marvel and can't wait to see it come to life in our next Jeep and Ram product showcase.“
