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2007 LA Auto Show: Chrysler’s First Hybrid SUVs

14 November, 2007 08:00:00

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Chrysler will announce its first hybrid-electric production cars, on press day at the Los Angeles motor show.

The automaker is using the Los Angeles auto show to launch hybrid powertrain versions of the 2009 Dodge Durango and 2009 Chrysler Aspen SUVs.

The hybrid Durango and Aspen use the Two Mode hybrid system that the automaker developed in cooperation with Daimler AG, General Motors and BMW AG.

At an estimated 18-city/19-highway mpg, Chrysler's 4WD, Hemi-powered hybrids fall just short of GM's hybrid-powered, 4WD versions of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, which are EPA rated at 20-city/20-highway mpg, respectively. But the Hemi hybrids still manage a 25-percent overall improvement and an almost 40-percent city mpg improvement compared with their non-hybrid Aspen and Durango twins, according to the automaker.

The Chrysler hybrids produce an estimated 345 horsepower (up to 385 with the electric boost) and 380 lb-ft of torque with the 5.7-liter Hemi, besting the 6.0-liter V-8-equipped GM hybrids, which produce 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque. Despite the torque and horsepower advantage, the Hemi hybrids' towing capacity is the same as GM's 4WD hybrid twins at 6000 pounds (GM's RWD versions can tow up to 6200 pounds).

An electric continuously variable transmission with controller determines which of the two hybrid modes to operate in and offer seamless changes between modes and acceleration.

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