LOS ANGELES — It was a milestone moment for Chrysler on Wednesday as it stepped into the hybrid foray at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show with the unveiling of two siblings, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and the 2009 Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid. The two are the Detroit automaker's first entries in the hybrid market and will hit showrooms in mid-2008.
With the rollout of such big boys as the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and the two Chrysler hybrid SUVs, the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show is rapidly becoming the staging ground for the reformation of Detroit's gas hogs.
The hybrid system in the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrids will deliver an estimated 385 horsepower, the company said. The Chrysler hybrids use a two-mode hybrid system that links a 5.7-liter V8 with a multi-displacement system and electric motors. Chrysler expects the new hybrids to return 18 mpg in city driving and 19 mpg on the highway. The EPA says the conventional 2008 Chrysler Aspen and 2008 Dodge Durango four-wheel-drive models with the 5.7-liter V8 return 13 mpg in city driving and 18 mpg on the highway.
Chrysler notes that its two hybrid SUVs will have a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.
Pricing has not been announced for either Chrysler hybrid, but consumers should expect to pay a premium of several thousand dollars over the base sticker. The base 2008 Chrysler Aspen starts at $35,625, including a $745 destination charge. The base 2008 Dodge Durango starts at $27,200, including shipping.
What this means to you: Chrysler puts its inaugural hybrid system where the need is greatest — in its two full-size SUVs. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
With the rollout of such big boys as the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and the two Chrysler hybrid SUVs, the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show is rapidly becoming the staging ground for the reformation of Detroit's gas hogs.
The hybrid system in the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrids will deliver an estimated 385 horsepower, the company said. The Chrysler hybrids use a two-mode hybrid system that links a 5.7-liter V8 with a multi-displacement system and electric motors. Chrysler expects the new hybrids to return 18 mpg in city driving and 19 mpg on the highway. The EPA says the conventional 2008 Chrysler Aspen and 2008 Dodge Durango four-wheel-drive models with the 5.7-liter V8 return 13 mpg in city driving and 18 mpg on the highway.
Chrysler notes that its two hybrid SUVs will have a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.
Pricing has not been announced for either Chrysler hybrid, but consumers should expect to pay a premium of several thousand dollars over the base sticker. The base 2008 Chrysler Aspen starts at $35,625, including a $745 destination charge. The base 2008 Dodge Durango starts at $27,200, including shipping.
What this means to you: Chrysler puts its inaugural hybrid system where the need is greatest — in its two full-size SUVs. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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