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Best hauling capacity in hybrids yet (http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/04/30/hemi_hybrid/index.html) (Poll question in thread)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Dodge_Durango_Hybrid.jpgPeter Valdes-Dapena - CNNMoney.com - April 30, 2007

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Chrysler Group announced Monday that the gas/electric hybrid Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs to be released in 2008 will be powered by the company's 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine.

The SUVs will use a "two-mode" hybrid system developed by Chrysler in conjunction with General Motors and Germany's BMW. The first vehicle to be sold using the system will be GM's GMC Yukon Hybrid slated to go on sale this fall.

Chrysler, the U.S. arm of DaimlerChrysler, calls the 5.7 liter Hemi, also used in the company's Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger R/T sedans, its most fuel-efficient V8 engine. The Hemi engine shuts off four of its eight cylinders during highway cruising when their extra power is not needed.

Chrysler promises a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving and a 25 percent improvement in overall economy compared to the non-hybrid Hemi-powered SUVS.
… http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/04/30/hemi_hybrid/index.html

40/20%... Humm. That should bring it up to around 18/22. Wish it were more. But I guess with all that power we can't expect too much out of Chrysler.

I see the two mode system as good, but it looks like it wll be years before it's in a sedan in the class of a Prius or Civic. :(

even if it is 5 years or 10 years, that is only like one or two generations of vehicles. Time flys. I can wait. Just get it right GM.

It would probably look better if they were trying something like this on their PT Cruiser. It would be a lot more of a gain than this V8 monster will ever get. They really love pushing these SUV's.

Hi Chuck:

___They are trying to do too many things with the technology. Great fuel economy from a fuel sucking pig that can still do 0 – 60 in 7 to 8 seconds vs. 27 - 30 in a 2-Mode hybrid SUV w/ a far more fuel efficient V6 in the 9 - 10 second range. The Highlander Hybrid w/ its smaller V6 is not exactly setting the world on fire let alone the AH and its paltry acceptance/sales yet here are the domestics not learning a **** thing from the Japanese mistakes after 3 years of their own :(

___Watch this Hybrids acceptance fail as well as the company given their insolent acceptance of what is happening in the world around them :(

___Now if they placed a 15 kWh pack and made sure 2-Mode was highway speed capable, then that is a whole other ball-game. DCX would charge $15K more for it and that wouldn’t sell either.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

With that same gas-hog engine, I can't see it getting much in the way of mpg's.

25 percent savings? Buy a different vehicle and get 100 percent savings!

Harry

If it does fail in the marketplace, which is likely, the automaker's response will likely be on the order of
"This proves that the US market doesn't want fuel efficient vehicles".

Meanwhile, the Asians and possibly even the Europeans will run away with the show.