Chrysler hybrid team looking forward to production launch

By Sam.Abuelsamid@weblogsinc.com
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With GM’s full-size SUVs now in production, car-buyers will shortly have their first opportunity to sample the Two-Mode hybrid system. Over the next couple of years, this system will be appearing in vehicles from four different manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and BMW. However the next one up after GM is Chrysler. Chrysler’s hybrid development manager Abdullah Bazzi is featured over on the Dodge Red Letter Blog talking about their development. We first saw the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids last spring at the Chelsea Proving Grounds and the team at the Newark, New Jersey assembly plant is now building pre-production examples. They are learning what needs to be changed in the assembly process for the hybrid drive-train. The hybrid Durango and Aspen should be available next fall.

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Despite rising gas prices and an economic slowdown, there's no shortage of super-pricey, super-fast models. In fact, there seem to be more new ones costing six figures and up every year.We've assembled a list of the latest and greatest models introduced for 2009. They're listed in alphabetical order.2009 Hottest Sports CarsRead the Full Story @ ForbesAutos.comSee the Full Slideshow @ ForbesAutos.com
2009’s Hottest Sports Cars

Despite rising gas prices and an economic slowdown, there’s no shortage of super-pricey, super-fast models. In fact, there seem to be more new ones costing six figures and up every year.

We’ve assembled a list of the latest and greatest models introduced for 2009. They’re listed in alphabetical order.

Price: $2,200,000 (est) | 0-62 mph: 2.9 secondsTop Speed: 254 mph | Mileage: N/AThe CCXR Edition from Swedish boutique automaker Koenigsegg gives the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 a run for its crown as the fastest, priciest production car in the world. Not only does its 4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine produce a ridiculous 1,018 horsepower2009 Hottest Sports CarsRead the Full Story @ ForbesAutos.comSee the Full Slideshow @ ForbesAutos.com
Koenigsegg CCXR Edition

Price: $2,200,000 (est) | 0-62 mph: 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 254 mph | Mileage: N/A

The CCXR Edition from Swedish boutique automaker Koenigsegg gives the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 a run for its crown as the fastest, priciest production car in the world. Not only does its 4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine produce a ridiculous 1,018 horsepower

Price: $2,000,000 | 0-60 mph: 2.5 secondsTop Speed: 250 mphMileage: 8 mpg city/16 mpg highwayAs if owning an "ordinary" 1,001 horsepower $1.5 million Bugatti Veyron 16.4 isn't enough, the richest people in the world can now pay about $500,000 more to buy a new Grand Sport version that features a removable transparent polycarbonate roof panel.Research the 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4Bugatti Veyron 16.4 OverviewBugatti Veyron 16.4 PicturesFree Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Price Quote
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Price: $2,000,000 | 0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds
Top Speed: 250 mph
Mileage: 8 mpg city/16 mpg highway

As if owning an “ordinary” 1,001 horsepower $1.5 million Bugatti Veyron 16.4 isn’t enough, the richest people in the world can now pay about $500,000 more to buy a new Grand Sport version that features a removable transparent polycarbonate roof panel.

Price: $102,450 | 0-60 mph: 3.4 secondsTop Speed: 205 mphMileage: 14 mpg city/21 mpg highwayA six-figure price is unheard of for a Corvette. But considering that it competes with cars costing three times as much, the new Corvette ZR1 still seems like a bargain. It's bursting with advanced technology. The hand-built supercharged 638-horsepower V8 engine is the centerpiece.Research the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 OverviewChevrolet Corvette ZR1 PicturesFree Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Price Quote
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Price: $102,450 | 0-60 mph: 3.4 seconds
Top Speed: 205 mph
Mileage: 14 mpg city/21 mpg highway

A six-figure price is unheard of for a Corvette. But considering that it competes with cars costing three times as much, the new Corvette ZR1 still seems like a bargain. It’s bursting with advanced technology. The hand-built supercharged 638-horsepower V8 engine is the centerpiece.

Price: $190,000 | 0-60 mph: "less than 4.0 seconds"Top Speed: N/A | Mileage: N/AFor Ferrari, even a $190,000 limited-production convertible with jaw-dropping looks and neck-snapping performance is considered an "entry level" model -- and that's what the new California is. It is the first Ferrari to feature a retractable metal convertible top.Research the 2008 Ferrari 599 GTBFerrari 599 GTB OverviewFerrari 599 GTB PicturesFree Ferrari 599 GTB Price Quote
Ferrari California

Price: $190,000 | 0-60 mph: “less than 4.0 seconds”
Top Speed: N/A | Mileage: N/A

For Ferrari, even a $190,000 limited-production convertible with jaw-dropping looks and neck-snapping performance is considered an “entry level” model — and that’s what the new California is. It is the first Ferrari to feature a retractable metal convertible top.

Price: $69,850 | 0-60 mph: 3.5 secondsTop Speed: 193 mphMileage: 16 mpg city/21 mpg highwayThe Nissan GT-R coupe outpaces some of the most desirable sports cars in the world for far less money. Although it's merely a Nissan, auto enthusiasts have been salivating over its arrival for years, after previously only being offered overseas.Research the 2009 Nissan GT-RNissan GT-R OverviewNissan GT-R PicturesFree Nissan GT-R Price Quote
Nissan GT-R

Price: $69,850 | 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Top Speed: 193 mph
Mileage: 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway

The Nissan GT-R coupe outpaces some of the most desirable sports cars in the world for far less money. Although it’s merely a Nissan, auto enthusiasts have been salivating over its arrival for years, after previously only being offered overseas.


[Source: Red Letter Dodge blog]