Stellantis has just presented the new STLA Frame platform, promising 800 km of all-electric range. While just a few years ago, Carlos Tavares, director of the Stellantis group, did not believe in the electric car, the group is now showing an interest in this booming market.
The STLA Medium platform, unveiled with the Peugeot E-3008 last February, allows a range of up to 700 km thanks to a large 98 kWh battery. But Stellantis intends to do better with the new STLA Frame platform, since 800 km of autonomy (a priori on the WLTP cycle) are announced for electric cars and 1,100 km for versions equipped with a thermal range extender (hybrid ).
The goal of the STLA Frame is to match the STLA Large platform in terms of range with even larger and heavier cars. We explain to you how the French group intends to go about it.
What battery capacity?
Stellantis announces a battery size of between 159 and more than 200 kWh. It's simply colossal!
This platform is even larger than the STLA Large, which must be the first in the group to accommodate solid-state batteries by 2026 developed with Factorial.
The XXL format of this STLA Frame platform makes it easy to integrate such batteries, with a wheelbase ranging from 3.14 to 3.69 m. This is much more than that of a Mercedes G-Class 580 e, which uses a 116 kWh battery, or than models like the Mercedes EQS SUV with 118 kWh, the Audi Q8 at 106 kWh or even the Volvo EX90 and its 111 kWh.
In the Stellantis group, vehicles on the STLA Large platform need a 118 kWh battery to promise 800 km of autonomy on the WLTP cycle. But we are talking about a platform reserved for more compact vehicles
Impressive autonomy announced
To achieve 800 km of range with an electric pick-up or an SUV close to 6m, you need a much larger battery size than the 118 kWh of the STLA Large platform. In the Stellantis press release, we can read that electric cars based on the STLA Frame platform will be able to offer 800 km of autonomy.
And when we read that the STLA Frame platform is designed for SUVs and pick-ups measuring between 5.48 and 5.94 m, we say to ourselves that these immense batteries are not too much to offer 800 km of autonomy compared to to the energy expenditure of such a vehicle.
Stellantis is communicating several elements aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag and weight, including a fairing under the car to improve airflow, and the use of strong, lightweight steel.
Very fast charging capacity
This STLA Frame platform will use an 800 volt architecture allowing ultra-fast charging. On a direct current terminal, cars using this technical base will be able to benefit from an electric power of up to 350 kW, which would save 100 miles (around 160 km) in just 10 minutes.
Bi-directional V2L, V2H and V2G charging will be offered with the STLA Frame platform. In other words, the car will be able to use its electricity to charge another car, power your home, or feed the energy back into the power grid. American survivalists should be delighted!
A platform designed for pick-ups and SUVs
As you can see, this platform is designed more for the North American market. The announced dimensions are much larger than those of the largest cars sold in Europe.
And as Stellantis announced, the STLA Frame platform is designed for pickups and very large SUVs from the Jeep and Ram brands. It is therefore made from high-strength steel, and the reinforced chassis rails supporting the battery are designed to protect it in the event of a side impact. A protective guard is also present along the entire length.
This platform seems to have been designed for off-road driving: it can cross a 61 cm ford. Finally, the announced towing capacity reaches 6,350 kg, impressive!
Future electric cars on the STLA Frame platform should also be efficient, since Stellantis announces a 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in 4.4 seconds, in the best case, on the all-wheel drive versions, with two motors 250 kW (340 hp) each.
The handling should also be there, thanks to an air suspension, also making it possible to offer greater comfort.
And a range extender version!
With a car approaching 6m long, there is enough room to integrate a combustion engine somewhere. Stellantis will take advantage of this to offer versions with a range extender (REEV). It is a combustion engine which, without being connected to the wheels, acts as an electricity generator to directly power the electric motors and recharge the battery. The principle is the same as that of the Opel Ampera or the Chevrolet Volt in their time, except that here, the announced autonomy reaches 1,100 km.
Thermal, hybrid and hydrogen versions may also be offered, which makes this STLA Frame platform promising multi-energy equipment for the Stellantis group.
