Chrysler hybrid will be a gasoline saver

By Tom Krisher
The Associated Press
DETROIT (May 3, 2007)
Chrysler's famous Hemi V-8 engine, known more for power than fuel economy, will become more fuel efficient when the company rolls out a hybrid version early next year.

Chrysler Group said this week it will offer a hybrid Hemi in its Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicles that will improve their fuel economy by nearly 40 per cent in the city and about 25 per cent on the highway.

Analysts have said the "two-mode" hybrid system, developed jointly with General Motors and BMW, could vault SUVs and trucks into the same fuel efficiency range of some larger sedans.

Current Aspens and Durangos get 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway, but the hybrid versions should get an estimated 18.2 mpg (12.9 litres per 100 kilometres) in city driving and about 22.5 (10.45 L/100km) on freeways. Chrysler would give only the percentage increases and not actual numbers, saying mileage testing had not been completed.

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