2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrid

Instead of going after the margin thin car hybrid market Chrysler has decided to concentrate its alternative energy on the bigger SUV. In a way this makes as much sense as a small car. So far auto buying trends in the three dollar per gallon market are showing an increase in SUV sales. It seems as though people want bigger vehicles and they are willing to pay the price for it. Offering a hybrid system in this market could mean big sales from people that want their larger vehicle but also want better fuel economy. The improvement in mileage isnt a drastic one like on a small car, but it is still there and noticable, especially in stop and go traffic where most of our gas is wasted.

The Dodge Durango and Chyrsler Aspen will be the first entries into the hybrid market for Chrysler LLC. The hybrid vehicles will deliver fuel savings of 25% with an increase of 40% in city driving. This isnt the puny system that propels the prius to 50+ mpg, this system is enhanced for the needs of the SUV owner. With the added weight of the hybrid system the Durango and Aspen Hybrid are capable of towing 6,000 lbs. The only option for the hybrid is the 5.7L (we dont know if this is the current 5.7 or the improved 5.7 that becomes available with the 09 Ram) Hemi with an improved HP rating of 385 due to the extra power of the electric engine. The Hemi is the best choice to be mated to a Hybrid because it already shuts down 4 cyclinders when it doesnt need them. Adding the extra power from the hybrid system will allow the engine to remain in 4 cylinder mode more often (now they just need to put some 4.56 gears in it to reduce the load on the engine even more).

The hybrid system, jointly developed with GM and BMW (Mercedes gets some credit now too since Daimler isnt the parent company of Chrylser anymore) features two modes of operation. It has four fixed gears much like other automatic transmissions, but it also has an electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT). In the first mode the vehicle can run under power in three ways: under electric power only, engine power only, or a combination of the two. At low speeds the vehicle can travel in electric only mode providing great savings on fuel consumption when in stop and go traffic.

The second mode is used while cruising at highway speeds. In this mode the Hemi is assisted by the electric motor allowing it to remain in four cylinder mode more often reducing fuel consumption. Of course if that is not enough power to push the SUV down the road the remaining four cylinders will seemlessly kick in to provide the full 385 horsepower.

While the system if fairly complex it is also seemless in operation. The only time the driver knows about it is when they look at the indicator that tells them when they are driving on electric power only. The computer determines when the vehicle should run on electric, gas, or a combination of the two. The batter pack (that packs 300 volts) is hidden under the second row bench seat. The electric motors are hidden inside the transmission housing. From the outside the only way to tell if this SUV is a hybrid is the Hemi badge that includes Hybrid letting people know that you are not only driving around in a Hemi, but you are being green at the same time.

The vehicles, built at the Newark plant in Delaware, will arrive at dealer lots in mid 2008.

Pricing announced for the Durango and Aspen Hybrid SUVs

2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid starts at $45,340 and the 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid starts at $45,570. The government will give consumers a tax credit of $1800.

"The new 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid deliver fuel economy up to 20 miles per gallon—a 40 percent improvement in the city and 25 percent overall—best-in-class cargo room, and are priced nearly $8,000 below the competition," said Deborah Meyer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer – Chrysler LLC. "Offering the unique combination of value, fuel economy, performance and capability, Chrysler's hybrid vehicles deliver exactly what SUV owners are demanding in today's marketplace."