Keeping an eye on the kids

From the driver or passenger seat you can watch television, see the latest traffic information or download music, talk to other road users and send email via wi-fi internet connection.

If you lend the car to the kids, it will send back details of how fast - or how erratically they are driving. An in-car camera will even let you know if they are getting up to no good in the rear seats.

If the car gets stolen you can track it via satellite and disable it via a "smart phone".

All this is wrapped up in a smart saloon that will have a choice of power options including V6 petrol engine, hybrid or full electric vehicle. But none of it is available right now.

It's all part of Chrysler's next generation technology which as well as being hooked up to the internet, links with street cameras to provide real-time traffic information - you'll be able to see which roads on your route are congested.

The cash-strapped company is banking on technology like this, along with its upcoming electric vehicles to keep it going into the future.

At the Detroit Show it also showed off the latest versions of four electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles it is developing, the Chrysler Town & Country EV, Jeep Wrangler EV and Jeep Patriot EV.

These vehicles use Chrysler's ENVI extended-range hybrid system. Like the Chevrolet Volt, the system will allow a range of about 64 kilometers before the petrol engine kicks in. Chrysler is planning to begin production of one of the range-extending electrics in 2010 with three more in production by 2013.

Another Chrysler concept, the Dodge Circuit EV is based on the Lotus Europa, an all-electric sports car with serious performance. It will do 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds with a top speed of more than 193 km/h. Range will be 241-322 kilometers.

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Credits: JRC