Chrysler lowballs price of its SUV hybrids, starting at $45,340
Click above for high-res gallery of Chrysler's hybrid SUVs
Apparently hoping to avoid the ignominious fate of the full-size hybrid SUVs from two-mode hybrid partner General Motors, Chrysler is getting aggressive with the pricing of its new Durango and Aspen hybrids. At launch this fall, the Chryslers will be stickered at 45,340 and $45,570 respectively, some $8,000 below the four-wheel-drive versions from GM. GM recently had to slap $4,000 cash on the hood to entice customers to check out the Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid. Unlike GM, however, Chrysler has chosen not to offer a two-wheel-drive variant of its hybrid SUVs. At this point we still don't know how equipment levels will compare between the GM and Chrysler models, so it's hard to do a direct comparison of these high-mpg hybrid SUVs.
The last time we talked to Chrysler about the hybrids, they were not planning to implement any of the weight savings measures that GM has used to offset the weight of the two-mode hybrid system in its GMT900 SUVs. On the GM models, an aluminum hood and tailgate, lighter front seats and special wheels drop the weight by about 150 lbs. Chrysler has apparently not given the hybrids unique body work either, which surely added to GM's cost. As for mileage, the official EPA numbers are apparently not in yet, but Chrysler is anticipating 20 mpg at best, which would be equal to the four-wheel-drive GM vehicles.
[Source: Chrysler]
PRESS RELEASE
Chrysler LLC Prices New Hybrids Thousands Below Competition
Pricing Announced for 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI® Hybrids
* Chrysler and Dodge SUVs boast 40 percent fuel economy improvement in city
* 25 percent overall fuel economy improvement
* Customers to save hundreds of gallons of gas per year
* Full-size SUVs deliver rare blend of fuel economy, utility, capability and performance
* 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid starts at $45,340
* 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid starts at $45,570
* Customers to receive estimated tax credit of $1,800
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 17, 2008 - As Chrysler LLC goes green, customers will save some "green."
Chrysler announced today that it is pricing its full-size 4x4 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) hybrid electric vehicles nearly $8,000 below the competition.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI® Hybrid is $45,340, including $800 for destination. The MSRP for the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid is $45,570, including $800 for destination. Additionally, customers are expected to receive an estimated tax credit of $1,800.
"The new 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid deliver fuel economy up to 20 miles per gallon-a 40 percent improvement in the city and 25 percent overall-best-in-class cargo room, and are priced nearly $8,000 below the competition," said Deborah Meyer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer – Chrysler LLC. "Offering the unique combination of value, fuel economy, performance and capability, Chrysler's hybrid vehicles deliver exactly what SUV owners are demanding in today's marketplace."
The 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid vehicles are Chrysler's first entries in the hybrid market.
Capable of towing 6,000 lbs., the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid vehicles deliver seamless, dependable power and performance on demand, in an efficient package. With an electrically variable transmission-featuring the best characteristics of an automatic transmission and hybrid drive-and two different hybrid modes of operation, the drive system dramatically improves fuel economy around town and at highway speeds.
The 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid are coupled with Chrysler's renowned 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Total output, when combined with the advanced two-mode hybrid system, is 385 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. In hybrid form, the HEMI continues to feature Chrysler's fuel-saving MDS technology, which allows the engine to seamlessly alternate between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. The two-mode system provides assistance from electric motors, allowing the HEMI V-8 to remain in four-cylinder mode more often than without a hybrid powertrain, improving overall fuel economy.
The result: In typical use, Chrysler expects customers will reduce fuel consumption by several hundred gallons of gas per year.
Built at the Newark Assembly Plant in Delaware, the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid and Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid vehicles arrive in showrooms this August.
2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid
Chrysler Aspen is a premium SUV that offers elegant styling, premium amenities and innovative engineering with the room and capability of a sport-utility vehicle. Bigger than its full-size SUV competitors, yet smaller than large SUV competitors, Chrysler Aspen offers unique benefits as a luxury SUV in a class all its own.
Chrysler Aspen exudes styling elegance with clean, angular front and rear fenders, rear doors and rear-quarter panels creating a seamless profile. Individual chromed "Chrysler" lettering adorns the bodyside on each of the front doors. Premium touches also include chromed accents on body-side moldings, door handles and side mirrors, as well as 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. Chrysler Aspen's broad, chromed grille is crowned by a sculpted hood, a signature of Chrysler vehicles.
Standard interior appointments include wood-accented door panels and instrument-panel center stack, air conditioning, overhead console with HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and Electronic Vehicle Information Center, front and rear LED lamps that may be individually aimed, uconnect gps, floor console with rear power accessory outlet, and a 60/40 third-row bench seat.
Standard equipment also includes premium leather-trimmed bucket seats, eight-way power driver's seat with memory, four-way power passenger seat, heated front-row seats, and a second-row bench seat, providing seating for eight.
Chrysler Aspen rides on a torsionally stiff, hydroformed frame with an independent torsion-bar front suspension setup featuring rack-and-pinion steering that helps provide a smooth and quiet ride and precise handling. An isolated torsion bar crossmember helps minimize road noise. Suspension and steering are tuned to deliver optimum comfort and driveability.
In the rear is a unique suspension setup with coil springs and a solid rear axle that delivers durability and strength. A Watt's linkage system is fitted to the rear axle, centering the axle and reducing rear-end skate over rough surfaces.
Standard safety features include Chrysler's exclusive Trailer Sway Control, Electronic Stability Program, Anti-lock Brake System and next-generation front air bags, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist System, ParkView™ Rear Back-up Camera System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and three-row side-curtain air bags with roll sensing.
2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid
Dodge Durango offers style, comfort, convenience and superior versatility in a real SUV, with three rows of seating and room for eight.
The Dodge Durango's styling is enhanced with a high beltline emphasizing its bold appearance, while short front and rear overhangs contribute to the vehicle's expression of concentrated power. Crisp angles and chiseled surfaces highlight a strong and confident front-end design. Dodge Durango's signature crosshair grille stands out prominently, flanked by rectangular headlamps with dual-halogen bulbs wrapped around the corners of the fenders. The rear design of the Dodge Durango is marked by "afterburner" taillamps, and a chromed appliqué accentuating the rear liftgate.
Standard interior appointments include premium two-tone door panels and satin silver finish instrument-panel center stack, air conditioning, overhead console with HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and Electronic Vehicle Information Center, front and rear LED lamps that may be individually aimed, uconnect gps, and a floor console with rear power accessory outlet.
Standard equipment also includes premium leather-trimmed bucket seats, eight-way power driver's seat with memory, four-way power passenger seat, heated front-row seats, a second-row bench seat and a 60/40 third-row bench seat, providing seating for eight.
Dodge Durango rides on a torsionally stiff, fully hydroformed frame with an independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, providing a turning radius of 37.5 ft.-shorter than a Honda Pilot. Suspension and steering are finely tuned to deliver superior ride and precise steering. Dodge Durango's rear suspension features coil springs and a solid rear axle secured with a Watt's linkage system, resulting in refined ride and handling characteristics.
Advanced safety and security features include standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Program with Electronic Roll Mitigation and Trailer Sway Control, side-curtain air bags for all three rows, ParkSense® Rear Park Assist System, Tire Pressure Monitoring system, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, and ParkView™ Rear Back-up Camera System.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Vintage 4:35PM (6/17/2008)
Because SUVs need even more weight.
These are retarded. People want efficient, fun to drive, reliable cars, not overly complex trucks and suvs.
Reply
FSM 4:37PM (6/17/2008)
LOL
Who in their right mind pays $45k for a Chrysler SUV? It could be powered by the scoopings from my cat's litter box and I still wouldn't pay that.
Reply
Spicky Dildo 4:39PM (6/17/2008)
Imagine that vintage is the first to post but has yet to say anything negative about the Porsche SUV
Reply
Vintage 4:49PM (6/17/2008)
That's because Porsche builds decent cars. I think the Cayenne is one of the most retarded vehicles ever, and completely bastardizes Porsche's heritage, and labels them as complete sell outs. So I really don't care about it at all... I actually like Chrysler, and they really REALLY need to quit pushing SUVs.
letstakeawalk 5:05PM (6/17/2008)
Vintage seems to be unaware of Porsche's 4wd heritage. Nevermind the mindblowing 959 winning the Dakar 1-2 in 1986 which ushered in the modern era of Porsche 911 drivability - Dr. Porsche is considered a pioneer of not just 4wd, but hybrid gas electrics with 4wd.
http://www.hybrid-vehicle.org/hybrid-vehicle-porsche.html
Torrent 4:41PM (6/17/2008)
By now everyone should know that the higher Chrysler prices their vehicles, the lower quality they are. Why not just get a Lambda? 7-8 people can fit comfortably and they get like 24 MPG. It's almost the obvious choice.
Reply
Pacman 4:44PM (6/17/2008)
exactly, and the Buick is a looker. Unlike this turd sandwich.
Jason 5:59PM (6/17/2008)
In the real world, the Lambdas don't seem to be getting stellar fuel mileage at all. My MIL has yet to break 16mpg in her Acadia, and we've talked to about 6-7 other Acadia owners who are also reporting at-best mid teens for combined mileage. We've even "done the math" by hand, thinking that maybe the info center's reading wasn't accurate, but it matches the hand calculated numbers. Overall it's pretty disappointing when she was getting a good 2-3mpg better overall in her previous V8 AWD Grand Cherokee (the Acadia is 2wd).
RJ 9:15PM (6/17/2008)
Why not lambda? Simple, the two-mode hybrid transmission / motor unit is designed for RWD, atleast for now.
BLBdriver 4:50PM (6/17/2008)
For goodness sake.... WSJ reported yesterday that Toyota had over 19,000 unsold Sequoia SUVs on the lots at the end of May. I'm sorry -- in the current fuel price climate 20MPG is really not an enormous accomplishment.
The bigger problem is the price premium that gets attached to hybrids in general. There's no way an average customer is going to see a return from higher gas efficiency to offset a payout of $43,000 upfront. It's just not going to happen. These types of vehicles are cool, but total economic losers.
Reply
BLBdriver 4:52PM (6/17/2008)
The truth is that the economics problem is endemic to every parallel hybrid and every battery-centric series/plugin hybrid. Most drivers will never see the return.
Reply
From my Cube 4:54PM (6/17/2008)
I dont get it, I was thinking someone with a brain at Chrysler would look at the market once they went private...continue to build your mundane, boring looking, and terriable to drive cars/ suv's (minivan and trucks are all they have left)...I sometimes wonder if they would let me walk into there design studio and let me give a few opinions on current/upcoming models....
Reply
Chris 5:37PM (6/17/2008)
Because it is going to take three to five years to turn it around after daimler and the former chrysler executives fleeced the company. daimler basically exploited chrysler for years, practically setting it up to fail. one has to wonder if they did it just to make mercedes look better than it was - that way the could point to the ugly stepchild and scream SEE!
Lets see where they are at the 2010 and 2011 model years. they are already taking steps to fix the interiors and hopefully they will come out with a style all their own soon
Patrick 6:14PM (6/17/2008)
How Could You Even Compare The Durango To The Tahoe? Two Different Sized Vehicles. One Is A Midsize And The Other Is A Fullsize SUV. And You Are Gonna Compare Price And Fuel Mileage? Retarded Post
Reply
MikeW 6:50PM (6/17/2008)
Lets take a look at that.
Wheebase: tahoe 116", durango 119"
Length: tahoe 202", durango 201"
Width: tahoe 79", durango 76"
Height: tahoe 77", durango 73.5"
turning circle (now this depends on curb/curb, or wall/wall ratings): tahoe 39' c-c, durango 37' also c-c
seem pretty close, unless the demarkation between mid-size and 'fullsize' is intentionally positioned to separate these two.
Sure I'll give you that the durango is smaller inside, but that is where is was designed to be (bigger than the Explorer, small than the Expedition)
DP 5:15PM (6/17/2008)
"...so it's hard to do a direct comparison of these high-mpg hybrid SUVs."
20 MPG is High MPG?
How "low" is the regular one?
This is terrible.
Reply
Brent 8:56PM (6/17/2008)
12MPG.
The Luigiian 5:17PM (6/17/2008)
Ugly and stupid. Unless the RAM hybrid Hemi sells for a whole lot less, and gets a little better fuel economy, it too will be stupid. But not ugly. The new RAM looks good.
Too bad the Dakota doesn't look so good. Or the Caliber. Or the Avenger. Or the...
Reply
CMS 8:07PM (6/17/2008)
rampant stupidity here as usual
wheelbase of Durango = Tahoe (they are generally the same size, have been since last Durango redo)
20mpg is city and highway, your mid-size car probably doesnt get much better than 20mpg city....
Ignorance should be punishable by death (or at least humiliation)
And no this is not where our mpg needs to be....
Reply
TriShield 5:26PM (6/17/2008)
These will be about as popular as GM's hybrid SUVs which is to say they won't be.
Hybrid intenders are looking small, economical cars at an affordable price like the Prius, which pretty much defines and owns the Hybrid market.
Reply