Chrysler experimental Dodge Ram PHEV pickups

[terrible one]

Did anyone know about these?

http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/2011/09/mbta_gets_plug-in_ram_pickups.html





We got this LKQ door in the other day and I noticed the "electric vehicle" graphics as well as the sticker on the trim panel referencing the MBTA. So I did a search and came up with the article in the link posted above.







Info tag:




So apparently that door is from 1 of the 10 trucks for the MBTA. The article mentions that the program would last for 3 years, so it looks like this one really did get smacked vs. them ending the program and cutting them up. Thought this was interesting enough to share.

[Ghoste]

It is interesting.

[Indygenerallee]

Cool.

[JB400]

They've been doing a few of these for the last 10 years or so.  I think they are only for factory experimentation though.  Looks like they're expanding into real world experience now.

[Ghoste]

Sooner or later they have to.

[Paul G]

It wont be much longer and all vehicles will have some sort of electric assist. Electric motors are becoming more efficient, batteries get smaller, lighter, and stronger. But the main thing is the CAFE standards keep going up forcing the auto makers to do something to increase fuel mileage across the board. 

[hatersaurusrex]

It wont be much longer and all vehicles will have some sort of electric assist. Electric motors are becoming more efficient, batteries get smaller, lighter, and stronger. But the main thing is the CAFE standards keep going up forcing the auto makers to do something to increase fuel mileage across the board. 

MDS was a great side-effect of that.   Every time I think about having 400 horses AND 20MPG it makes me giddy.

[Paul G]

Cylinder deactivation, cam phasing, direct injection, 8 speed transmissions, all these things plus more that have not come to market yet are the result of the higher cafe standards forcing engineers to create new technology that squeezes every last drop of fuel per mile. Computerized engine management allows for more cylinder compression, while controlling ignition timing to eliminate knock. More power and better fuel economy is the result.

Just amazing how far the internal combustion engine has come over the years. 

[odcics2]

Progress: 8 speed trans !!

The Dodge Charger V6 now runs 0-60 in 6.6 seconds with 31 mpg highway, in rear wheel drive form — matching in acceleration the 2006 Charger Hemi.