Chrysler's hybrid SUVs pull in near front of pack

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Thursday, August 21, 2008 1:12:05 AM

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Chrysler's hybrid SUVs pull in near front of pack Friday, August 08, 2008
USA Today -- Chrysler is late to the hybrid party but brought along two full-size SUV hybrids arguably better than those sold by rival General Motors (GM), even though the companies' hybrid systems are alike. Chrysler's Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen gasoline-electric power plants, along with GM's Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrid SUVs launched in January, give full-size, truck-based SUVs a fighting chance with 20 miles per gallon, instead of 15 or fewer. Called two-mode hybrids, they use two electric motors, packaged inside the automatic transmission housing and mated to a big gasoline V-8 engine. One electric motor is for lower speeds, the other for higher.
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:45:36 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Friday, August 08, 2008 USA Today -- Chrysler is late to the hybrid party but brought along two full-size SUV hybrids arguably better than those sold by rival General Motors (GM), even though the companies' hybrid systems are alike. Chrysler's Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen gasoline-electric power plants, along with GM's Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrid SUVs launched in January, give full-size, truck-based SUVs a fighting chance with 20 miles per gallon, instead of 15 or fewer. Called two-mode hybrids, they use two electric motors, packaged inside the automatic transmission housing and mated to a big gasoline V-8 engine. One electric motor is for lower speeds, the other for higher. Visit USA Today for full article

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mini55 Rookie Author Florida Posts:11 Points:3,030 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 6:59:27 PM	Ignore mini55 Report Abuse
	Glad I'm driving a mini.
kingdick Champion Author Minnesota Posts:17,900 Points:1,436,895 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 6:03:00 PM	Ignore kingdick Report Abuse
	---------------------------------- As I always Say !!! ----------------------------------- If gas prices go back down most people will go BACK to their WASTEFULL ways. Like 1974 !! They will buy the BIG trucks again !! ----------------------------------- Price down Now Demand is back up !! -----------------------------------
jmuse Veteran Author Long Island Posts:479 Points:100,775 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 12:48:04 PM	Ignore jmuse Report Abuse
	Late to the party, is an understatement.
Nannabug Rookie Author Georgia Posts:55 Points:17,890 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 12:04:55 PM	Ignore Nannabug Report Abuse
	But to people who can afford over $50,000 for a vehicle, maybe even more than one per home, $4 gas is probably not that much of an issue.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:857 Points:179,600 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:54:36 AM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	as they should
gas_too_high Veteran Author Columbus Posts:333 Points:309,175 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:42:41 AM	Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse
	no1doc: Exactly right. [Edited by: gas_too_high at 8/9/2008 11:42:58 AM EST]
no1doc Sophomore Author Milwaukee Posts:185 Points:75,495 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:40:03 AM	Ignore no1doc Report Abuse
	Hybrid SUV is an oxymoron if ever there was one. Kind of like jumbo shrimp.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,016 Points:107,335 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:14:59 AM	Ignore reb4 Report Abuse
	20MPG... WOW! I don't think i'm interested.
t4204life Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,877 Points:773,010 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:09:55 AM	Ignore t4204life Report Abuse
	not for me.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,085 Points:924,265 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:04:48 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	Don't think I want one of these yet..
Bungee Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:428 Points:307,740 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:03:03 AM	Ignore Bungee Report Abuse
	Still not for me, but I agree with what MarkJND said.
RWPTraveller Veteran Author Virginia Posts:480 Points:293,250 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:59:18 AM	Ignore RWPTraveller Report Abuse
	Not much of an improvement.
Gassie1 Champion Author Akron Posts:3,935 Points:475,360 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:55:03 AM	Ignore Gassie1 Report Abuse
	20 mpg not bad
MarkJND All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:623 Points:238,190 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:54:50 AM	Ignore MarkJND Report Abuse
	There will always be a market for these cars, so at least they are doing what they can to make them more efficient.
bowler48226 All-Star Author Detroit Posts:830 Points:249,670 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:50:14 AM	Ignore bowler48226 Report Abuse
	Chrysler has always been an engine leader. Remember when the hemi was in race cars and nobody could beat it so they took the hemi out of race cars.
evasilion Veteran Author Virginia Beach Posts:283 Points:59,925 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:49:27 AM	Ignore evasilion Report Abuse
	Sounds a little complicated.
02SilverStroke All-Star Author Dallas Posts:844 Points:431,655 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:48:35 AM	Ignore 02SilverStroke Report Abuse
	It seems that with the engines now being controlled by computers, the companies could program them to get 50 mpg, minimum. If you can buy chips for diesel pickups that increase their power and mileage, why not install something like that at the factory?
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,297 Points:846,330 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:48:30 AM	Ignore brutus Report Abuse
	A little late, Toyota and Honda way ahead.
BANANAMAN22 Rookie Author Houston Posts:80 Points:17,200 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:46:37 AM	Ignore BANANAMAN22 Report Abuse
	STILL DON'T KNOW IF ITS WORTH IT
hangupanddrive Veteran Author Michigan Posts:399 Points:855,465 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:45:16 AM	Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse
	Sign of the times. Alternatives if and when we actually find the need to buy a new car. Not selling my cars not worth it spending over $20,000 to save a few gallons.
Parif Veteran Author Virginia Posts:393 Points:69,765 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:41:32 AM	Ignore Parif Report Abuse
	We still like our big cars
kenya32 Sophomore Author Pennsylvania Posts:175 Points:108,695 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:40:22 AM	Ignore kenya32 Report Abuse
	I am glad to see the automakers trying to do the right things now, but 20 miles per gallon is still too low.
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,348 Points:400,840 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:39:56 AM	Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse
	Are they (GM & Chrysler) really trying to build high efficient vehicles now or are they just trying to get the people to buy these reworked big high profit SUV's.
fromdarange All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:768 Points:187,435 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:37:52 AM	Ignore fromdarange Report Abuse
	More of yesterday's news.
YLHandyman All-Star Author Orange County Posts:859 Points:138,390 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:37:16 AM	Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse
	What are the costs of these hybrids in the long run. Do they still guarantee $2.99 a gallon.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:4,422 Points:984,775 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:34:10 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	Chrysler? Whatever, but think how much better results they'd get in reasonably sized cars.
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,120 Points:903,335 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:33:23 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	gm...ford...just keep getting out gunned...wake up already
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:7,801 Points:628,110 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:32:38 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	15MPG to 20MPG? why bother..............
ladyjj All-Star Author Tennessee Posts:699 Points:69,910 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:30:58 AM	Ignore ladyjj Report Abuse
	I don't think this is the answer either!
bdrviper All-Star Author Grand Rapids Posts:561 Points:626,305 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:29:12 AM	Ignore bdrviper Report Abuse
	interesting
rtw777 Veteran Author Florida Posts:352 Points:125,785 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:22:58 AM	Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse
	Got to do better than this.
Mr.Dirt Champion Author Albany Posts:1,544 Points:1,186,750 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:21:14 AM	Ignore Mr.Dirt Report Abuse
	old news
rockinrog Veteran Author Ontario Posts:479 Points:595,225 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:16:54 AM	Ignore rockinrog Report Abuse
	Going form 15mpg to 20mpg sounds like it is hardly worth the effort. I'm sure they can produce a better mpg vehicule than 20.
cantonbill Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:315 Points:92,825 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:16:18 AM	Ignore cantonbill Report Abuse
	So many people buy SUVs they just don't need. Even at 20mpg, that's a disgrace.
PizzaMon Sophomore Author Philadelphia Posts:125 Points:288,425 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:15:35 AM	Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse
	Something for those who really need that type of vehicle.
kevski All-Star Author Oregon Posts:832 Points:113,830 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:14:37 AM	Ignore kevski Report Abuse
	better than nothing
cableman31 Veteran Author New York Posts:312 Points:338,935 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:12:50 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	20 mpg is a waste of time. We had that and more years ago. And why do we need big suv's and tahoes. In places like NYC there is no place to park them.
CrazyQ Champion Author Washington Posts:11,852 Points:1,369,650 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:12:36 AM	Ignore CrazyQ Report Abuse
	Don't forget that hybrid technology has a hard cost of $3,500 or more per vehicle, and that pays for a lot of miles, even at $4/gal. If you can purchase a non-hybrid vehicle for a savings in excess of $4,000 over the hybrid model, you're coming out ahead.
kingdick Champion Author Minnesota Posts:17,900 Points:1,436,895 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:12:24 AM	Ignore kingdick Report Abuse
	----------------------------------- As I always Say !!! ----------------------------------- If gas prices go back down most people will go BACK to their WASTEFULL ways. Like 1974 !! They will buy the BIG trucks again !! ----------------------------------- Price down Now Demand is back up !! -----------------------------------
DAM5 Sophomore Author Long Island Posts:184 Points:58,960 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:09:20 AM	Ignore DAM5 Report Abuse
	really
Outie All-Star Author New Brunswick Posts:718 Points:447,200 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:06:11 AM	Ignore Outie Report Abuse
	To0 little too late.
Dipstick1 Champion Author Texas Posts:1,273 Points:738,235 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:05:39 AM	Ignore Dipstick1 Report Abuse
	We got 20mpg 40 years ago
rbrowdersr All-Star Author Detroit Posts:504 Points:381,030 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:04:02 AM	Ignore rbrowdersr Report Abuse
	It appears that Chrysler still hasn't learned.
dopster Veteran Author Toledo Posts:367 Points:806,830 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:03:20 AM	Ignore dopster Report Abuse
	techque is right. Doesn't sund like a viable solution to me.
techque Sophomore Author St. Louis Posts:240 Points:873,875 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 9:59:01 AM	Ignore techque Report Abuse
	For $45 thousand, I can get two thrifty cars that get twice the MPG, and handle and park way better. no thanks.
BBopp All-Star Author Dayton Posts:846 Points:468,420 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 9:57:08 AM	Ignore BBopp Report Abuse
	Chrysler should work on the "air car". How stupid does Chrysler think the consumers are? Sorry but 20 mpg just doesn't cut it.
kypeanuts Veteran Author Louisville Posts:258 Points:56,355 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 9:56:33 AM	Ignore kypeanuts Report Abuse
	yesterday's news
Raider44 Sophomore Author Allentown Posts:111 Points:67,780 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 9:54:49 AM	Ignore Raider44 Report Abuse
	Need to develop vehicles that get 50+ mpg, not twenty.
bug27 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,508 Points:1,083,400 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 9:53:44 AM	Ignore bug27 Report Abuse
	I was hoping full size SUV's were a relic of the past. American automakers are going to fight to the death. Well, let them die. We can't help someone who won't help themselves.
phatride92 Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,287 Points:848,425 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 9:52:32 AM	Ignore phatride92 Report Abuse
	hummmmmmmm