Chrysler hybrid team looking forward to production launch
Click the Durango for a high-res gallery
With GM's full-size SUVs now in production, car-buyers will shortly have their first opportunity to sample the Two-Mode hybrid system. Over the next couple of years, this system will be appearing in vehicles from four different manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and BMW. However the next one up after GM is Chrysler. Chrysler's hybrid development manager Abdullah Bazzi is featured over on the Dodge Red Letter Blog talking about their development. We first saw the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids last spring at the Chelsea Proving Grounds and the team at the Newark, New Jersey assembly plant is now building pre-production examples. They are learning what needs to be changed in the assembly process for the hybrid drive-train. The hybrid Durango and Aspen should be available next fall.
Gallery: Dodge Durango Hybrid prototype
[Source: Red Letter Dodge blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Domenick 8:58PM (11/10/2007)
Hemi hybrid. Reminds me of that frosted mini-wheat commercial. On one side you have teeth destroying delicious sugar. On the other side you have wheat goody goodness. (or words to that effect.)
Reply
Derek 8:40AM (11/11/2007)
At least that's better than the sugar-coated gumdrop with a gooey creme center that it used to be.
Face it, progress is progress and whether you like it or not, each of these hybrid SUV's will save more gas than a Prius.
Reply
Domenick 8:23PM (11/11/2007)
I'm not sure these fugly behemoths are "progress" but whatever. Hemi hybrid stills sounds funny to me.
Reply