HEMI/hybrid a go!

[4forty]

Chrysler hybrids to be powered by Hemi engines



Chrysler Group will power hybrid versions of the 2008 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs with its brawny 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, the company announced Monday.

The hybrid vehicles -- a first for Chrysler -- are slated to arrive in the marketplace next year and will feature a two-mode hybrid technology. The new Hemi hybrid engine should improve overall fuel economy in these vehicles by 25 percent and increase efficiency by nearly 40 percent in city driving.

"With the new Hemi-powered Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, we are delivering the ultimate combination of fuel efficiency, overall performance and capability in a premium full-size SUV," said Frank Klegon, Chrysler's executive vice president of product development, in a statement.

The Hemi hybrid engine will feature the multi-displacement system currently offered on the gas engine version that pumps 340 horsepower. Known as MDS, the fuel-saving feature shuts off four of the eight cylinders when the vehicle is operating in certain driving conditions.

The gas engine Hemi doesn't get more than 19 miles per gallon on the highway.

The hybrid Aspen and Durango can be powered either by the electric motors or by the Hemi V-8 engine or a combination of the two.

Chrysler's hybrid engine was developed through a three-way partnership with General Motors Corp. and BMW to develop hybrid technology. The companies are developing two-mode hybrid systems at the Hybrid Development Center in Troy.



They should drop one of these babies in the new Challenger and really stir up the muscle car market!!!

[CharlieCharger]

I say drop it like they did in 72 before they ruin this one more than it already is. I don't think Hemi and Hybrid go together to good..call me old school

[Silver R/T]

not the best idea imo

[Ghoste]

Well up here in Canadakistan, the federal government fines you, oops, I mean levies a tax, for purchasing a car built by an American car maker and rewards you, I mean provides a green incentive for purchasing foreign built hybrids.  My guess is that the local Chrysler dealers here will welcome a this engine.  Especially when the Toyota dealer across the street from the one in town has a big sign out front reminding you that the government will pay you to buy foreign.
Maybe Al Gore will even approve of it.

[Rocky]

not the best idea imo

I disagree Lexus has already started in this market, what do they have?  a 330HP car?  I'm too lazy to look it up, but I guarentee it will be on every corner within the next 3 years.  I think this is the next K-car for Chrysler,  they better take the ball and run with it, cuz I'm about to invest in this idea.  That means they'd be stupid not to.

      Rocky

[hutch]

HEMI/hybrid?  Why not make a rubber band driven drag car.

[ChargerSG]

Thats great for your dailydriver(we have sick taxes for like 6.1L here in Sweden)....

[Brock Samson]

there are many thousands of hybreds and electric cars here in the Bay Area, one reason besides the amazing advertised MPG (as mush as 50 MPG) is that they are eligable for the car pool lanes with a single occupant provided one applys for and recives an exemption sticker which have become a hot item for thieves...
you guys elsewhere would truly be amazed how many hybreds are sold here and running around the streets...
gas is selling for 3.79 for Reg. here too...
So filling up my R.R.'s tank with Premium can cost over $80.oo! 

[4forty]

not the best idea imo

are you people high?......what's wrong with a HEMI/hybrid? add in the MDS and you could cruise your Hemi Challenger (or if they ever build a Charger), on the highway and around town with 30+ mpg  and hammer it when you want to burn the tires off! Still with V8 Performance and SOUND. Like was mentioned with the Lexus GS450h, it's qualifies Super Ultra Low emissions Vehicle, Gets almost 30 mpg and does 0-60 in 5 seconds. hello??......anyone?  I think Chrysler can get on board or be left at the dock. I'm glad their trying it. Some kind of hybrid (or mini nuke reactor) is gonna be our future! I think it's the best of both worlds although the "price" could be a problem.  why not try it on the Challenger or a version of it?      imo

[hutch]

not the best idea imo

are you people high?......what's wrong with a HEMI/hybrid? add in the MDS and you could cruise your Hemi Challenger (or if they ever build a Charger), on the highway and around town with 30+ mpg  and hammer it when you want to burn the tires off! Still with V8 Performance and SOUND. Like was mentioned with the Lexus GS450h, it's qualifies Super Ultra Low emissions Vehicle, Gets almost 30 mpg and does 0-60 in 5 seconds. hello??......anyone?  I think Chrysler can get on board or be left at the dock. I'm glad their trying it. Some kind of hybrid (or mini nuke reactor) is gonna be our future! I think it's the best of both worlds although the "price" could be a problem.  why not try it on the Challenger or a version of it?      imo

I dont like cars I cant work on and I dont care much about buying a car worth 45K+ all so I can say I saved 10 bucks in gas last month.  I would rather buy a car for 20K, have the ablity to work on it when I want and tell people to keep the gas savings they just rolled into the price of a car.

[Ghoste]

Which Hemi cars are you buying for 20k?

[LargerCharger383]

if someone is gonna drop the extra cash for a hemi, i highly doubt they're all that worried about fuel economy.  HEMI and a Hybrid emblems would look ridiculas next to each other too...

[Ghoste]

They stuck Hemi emblems on K cars so it wouldn't be the first time the word has been used in conjunction with economy.  If the Hemi is to be their engine technology leader then it only makes sense.  If it's just a marketing gimmick, then it becomes a different story.

[4forty]

if someone is gonna drop the extra cash for a hemi, i highly doubt they're all that worried about fuel economy.  HEMI and a Hybrid emblems would look ridiculas next to each other too...

Why do they sell a HEMI with MDS now?, I'm sure ALOT of people care, Tell me how "Ridiculous" it would look when gas hits $4.50 a gallon?

[hutch]

if someone is gonna drop the extra cash for a hemi, i highly doubt they're all that worried about fuel economy.  HEMI and a Hybrid emblems would look ridiculas next to each other too...

Why do they sell a HEMI with MDS now?, I'm sure ALOT of people care, Tell me how "Ridiculous" it would look when gets hits $4.50 a gallon?

if the car has a sales price of around 40K its not going to matter till gas hits a price that makes a 600 a month car payment look cheap.  If they made a hybrid for around 20K or less then the gas savings would be worth it.    I dont see lots of people rushing out to blow money on a car just so they can say they save gas money.  Now rich leftists with lots of white guilt might just love an expensive car that saves the earth from pending doom. I just dont see it as a car most people are going to want.

[Ghoste]

The good press would have as much to do with it as anything.  If it helps to keep the green crowd from screaming Toyota at every opportunity, then I say bring it on.   Hemi doesn't equal dinosaur and Dodge doesn't equal crap.  Even if they sell zero I still applaud them for throwing it out there.  Far better than laying back and letting the other car makers get an easy kill and if the car company that had always stood for technological advancement in the past is just going to sit idly around, that is what it will be.