Chrysler group plans Hemi hybrids

Put the words Hemi and hybrid together, and that's what the Chrysler group will bring to market next year.

The 2009 versions of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs, arriving in dealerships in 2008, will be powered by a 5.4-liter Hemi engine mated to the dual-mode hybrid system, said Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer.

Bradford Wernle | Automotive News / May 7, 2007 - 1:00 am / Current Hemi-powered versions of the Durango and Aspen are rated at 13 mpg city and 18 highway. Chrysler says the hybrid versions will get 25 percent better gas mileage overall and 40 percent better mileage in the city. The engines will continue to feature Chrysler's multiple-displacement system, which turns off half the cylinders at highway cruising speeds.

The dual-mode hybrid system was developed jointly by General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and BMW. It will be equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission with two electric motors in the transmission case.

The hybrid system will propel the vehicle on electric power alone at low speeds. The system was designed for rear-drive, body-on-frame vehicles.

Chrysler has unveiled a Hemi-hybrid badge that will be used on vehicles with the combination.

A Chrysler official declined to say whether the system will be in other vehicles.