Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger next to get hybrid drive?
As the years pass, fuel saving technologies like hybrid drivetrains will become increasingly common. Chrysler currently holds the distinction of having the worst average fuel economy of any major manufacturer in the United States, which is certainly not something they are proud of, we're sure. The automaker's first hybrid vehicles, the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen duo, were just priced at a fairly aggressive $45,340 base and speculation has already begun on what models will be next in line for the hybrid system.
Early bets are being placed on the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger platform, which seems like a safe wager considering that they, like the Durango and Aspen, are rear wheel drive vehicles. General Motors has already announced that the Vue will be the first front wheel drive vehicle to get the 2-Mode hybrid system jointly developed by GM, Chrysler and BMW, so it is possible that Chrysler could go with a front engine, front wheel drive platform as well.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dad 2:45PM (6/22/2008)
A 2 mode 300C would be very nice.
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Stan Peterson 3:28PM (6/23/2008)
Chysler is behind the curve in hybrids,having beem confroming to teh Mercede diesel preferences.
But with the slow acceptance of 2 mode Giga SUVs,(Yukon, Tahoe, Aspen, Durango) there should be some 2 mode capacity for Chrysler to issue limited numbers of hybrid 300s.
With the the Vue confirming that the front wheel drive 2 mode is now available, how far away is the two-mode Town and Country Minivan?
Both these vehicles would be less than 4000 # vehicles weighing around 1000 pounds less than a Durango or Pickup based hybrid. Producing some hybrids with mileages in the mid 20s say 25 city, 34 hiway ratings for the 300, especially if mated to a 3.5 V6, would give them some street cred. And they need it, because there won't be much to talk about until the model year 2010 cars.
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Chris M 5:06PM (6/22/2008)
Finally, a bit of sense. Big Hybrid SUVs with marginal MPG figures just don't sell well in this expensive fuel market, but hybrid cars with more respectable fuel economy will do much better.
Electric drive is the only way to get both high performance and high efficiency, as AC Propulsion and Tesla Motors so aptly proved. An electric hybrid with a lightweight but powerful LiIon battery could make for an awesome muscle car. A battery big enough to supply such high power would also be big enough to make a practical plug-in as well.
The "Dodge Charger" could literally become THE Dodge Charger! LOL!!!
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MemphisNET 12:17AM (6/23/2008)
Good stuff!! I have a Magnum R/T and the city is terrible. Luckily I do mostly highway driving, and it was a much better vehicle for me compared to a truck or SUV.
Shame they're not making the wagon anymore, but good to see the 2mode trickling down to the rest of the fleet.
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