Better fuel efficiency is in the forecast for monster DogCars
By Keith Turner
June 19, 2008
This week in New England, Chrysler is rolling out its two new, full-size hybrid sport utility vehicles for 2009: the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango (pictured) two-mode hybrids. Both are worthy contenders as DogCar vehicles, with lots of interior space as well as rugged off-road capability.
The two-mode system — developed in a global partnership with General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and BMW — means that the vehicle can run in electric-only mode at low speeds and assists the V-8 Hemi when driving at highway speeds. Chrysler estimates the hybrids will produce 25 to 40 percent better fuel economy than their gas-only powered models. At at estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway, that could lead to an average savings of about 200 gallons per year.
Designed to compete against the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, which was named the Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal, the Chrysler hybrids offer a significant price break of about $7,000 less than the four-wheel-drive Tahoe and its sibling, the GMC Yukon Hybrid.
How these humongous hybrids handle DogCar duty remains to be seen, but their launch makes one thing quite clear: The battle is on to keep the profitable SUV market from going the way of the dinosaur.
