Chrysler Introduces First Hybrids

[Solar_Power]

Chrysler has introduced its first two hybrids on the market—the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid full-size SUVs—both based on the two-mode advanced hybrid system developed with General Motors and BMW.

Capable of towing 6,000 lbs., the new 5.7-liter HEMI Hybrids develop 385 hp (287 kW) and are expected to deliver an overall fuel economy improvement of more than 25%, including an improvement of nearly 40% in the city. By comparison, the gasoline-only 2008 Aspen with 5.7-liter engine has an EPA fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway and 15 mpg combined.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/

[Kutjara]

1. Wow! Such innovation! Such environmental stewardship!

If they keep on like this, by the end of the century, they'll make an SUV that gets better gas mileage than a Model-T!

A 5.7 liter hybrid is like a machine gun with pastel-colored bullets. Same crap, different wrapper.

[tabasco]

3. Leading the way to protect the environment - just like Chevron!

My telescreen tells me how Chevron is leading the way to protect the environment!

Doubleplusgood for Chevron!!

[Kutjara]

4. Yes, I saw that informative mini-documentary myself.

Apparently, if we just trust the environment to Chevron, Shell, and BP, everything will be ok! They are spending all their money developing new ways of cuddling bunnies and hugging trees. Thank Sweet Baby Jeez for the oil companies. Without them, we'd be in real trouble.

[tabasco]

2. It seems the US companies have conceded the hybrid car market to Toyota and Honda.

All the hybrids I have seen from the US are these hybrid monster trucks.

There is a need for these work trucks but I would like to see more hybrid cars from the US.

I have a 1.5 liter, 105 hp car that gets 45 mpg. I use it to pull a trailer with up to 2500 pounds when I need to haul something.

I have no need for 385 hp. But I suppose many Americans will buy these monsters for one-person commuting and trips to the store.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Ford Has Built a Much Smaller Hybrid SUV Since 2004

I believe it is still the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market here. It is also the cleanest — the only SUV to earn a SULEV rating.

Sometimes we need 4-wheel-drive and ground clearance. Sometimes we need to haul stuff.
If it is being used for a trip to the store, it's probably a Costco run.
We don't use it for commuting.


Is your 45mpg econobox really rated to tow 2500 pounds? Usually they only want you to tow 1000-1500# with a 4-cylinder engine.
Usually you have to have at least a 6-cylinder to be rated to tow that much. I never understood why, the braking systems are the same.
You just can't go as fast.

[tabasco]

13. I hauled 13 railroad ties 25 miles.

That was no doubt an overloaded trailer but the car pulled it fine.

1000 pound loads much more frequent.

The car is not recommended for towing in the US but in Europe, the same car is recommended for 1000 kilos. Go figure.

I never go over 45 mph with the trailer. I drive so I don't use the brakes much anyway, i.e., slow down before the curves.

[CRF450]

15. When we pulled that camper we didn't go anymore than 45 either.

Mainly because it was swaying alot. And if someone pulled out in front of us (like alot people here do) they'd be SOL.

[CRF450]

12. You gotta be careful though.

Pulling that much weight in a small car is just not safe at all.

This 32 foot camper was the tow limit for my brothers truck at 6700 pounds. It pulled ok but under braking it struggled because the brakes on the trailer didn't work. I have the same exact truck but we used his instead. A full size truck would have handled this trailer alot better.

[tabasco]

14. I normally don't pull loads that heavy.

But it has happened. It will pull a 1/2 ton load with no problem at all.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Why do they always name these beasts after places they're helping to destroy? nt

[The Inquisitive]

8. hehe you notice that too?

My favorite is with housing/condi development projects. Their always named something like "Pheasant Meadow" which usually means there had been once been a meadow frequented by Pheasants before they started building there.

[AX10]

7. Detroit is going to die soon.

Why the HELL do the "Big Three" keep on doing stupid things like this. A massive 8 cylinder "hybrid" is useless. It will still average a mediocre 20 MPG. My Father's Avalon does better than that (6-cyl).

GM/FORD/Chrysler keep on making tin boxes (in fairness, GM has learned some and improved their quality in the past 3-4 years but still lag behind the competition) and gas gusslers that people don't want.
:wtf: is wrong with them? The name "hybrid" is not enough, the car must use much less fuel!
:eyes:

edit: Toyota has a four cylinder Solara coupe with ample power and gets 35 miles per gallon on the highway. Why the HELL can't the US companies do the same?

[Selatius]

9. If you used diesel engines coupled with hybrid technology, you could achieve greater fuel efficiency

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient by design, even though a 5.7 liter diesel engine may sound louder. One motorhead managed to decrease the amount of fuel injected per cycle down to like 50% by introducing hydrogen gas into the combustion chamber to squeeze more energy out per unit of diesel fuel injected, effectively doubling fuel efficiency. It burns hotter and thus is more efficient in consuming the hydrocarbons, leaving less CO2 emissions, but at the same time it can increase horsepower as well. I'll have to dig up the article, but the only problem is that hydrogen gas isn't so easy to come by.

[Selatius]

17. Here is the article:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/motorhead-messiah.html

[rucky]

10. Shit on wheels.

there is no reason any vehicle sold on the market should get under 30 mpg - that's being generous.

[high density]

11. HEMI Hybrid?

LOL. Chrysler is fucked up.

[AlCzervik]

16. indeed, hemi hybrid=big mac minus the pickles.

way to think outside the box Chrysler.

[Strelnikov_]

18. "passivity of Easter chiefs and Maya kings in the face of the real big threats"

As our fifth strand, we have to wonder why the kings and nobles failed to recognize and solve these seemingly obvious problems undermining their society. Their attention was evidently focused on their short-term concerns of enriching themselves, waging wars, erecting monuments, competing with each other, and extracting enough food from the human peasants to support all those activities. Like most leaders throughout human history, the Maya kings and nobles did not heed long-term problems, insofar as they perceived them.

. . .

Like Easter Island chiefs erecting ever larger statues, eventually crowned by pukao, and like Anasazi elites treating themselves to necklaces of 2000 turquoise beads, Maya kings sought to outdo each other with more and more impressive temples, covered with thicker and thicker plaster, reminiscent in turn of the extravagant conspicuous consumption by modern American CEO's. The passivity of Easter chiefs and Maya kings in the face of the real big threats to their societies completes our list of disquieting parallels.

From Chapt. 5, 'The Maya Collapses', from 'Collapse: How Societies Choose To Fail Or Succeed’ by Jared Diamond

[Deja Q]

19. Pity they're only SUVs, but it's a start.

:thumbsup:

[Solar_Power]

20. In terms of reduced fuel consumption it's best to convert SUVs into hybrids

but I agree that ultimate goals should be 50MPG on all cars/trucks

[lumberjack_jeff]

21. A diesel hybrid would be sweet. n/t

[Initech]

22. Makes no sense whatsoever.

That will not save a whole lot of gas if you're using a 5.7L engine. Now a Sebring / Avenger hybrid would make a lot more sense.

[Lugnut]

23. I don't get it.

My Buick Century gets better gas mileage than that. What's the point?