(1888PressRelease)
May 18, 2008 - American Car Imports in London offer the latest Hybrid American Car, The 2009 Dodge Durango. Available from summer 2008 the vehicle will have a two-mode hybrid powertrain designed to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions.
The 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid will share its two-mode hybrid system with the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and a new range of full-size SUV hybrids from General Motors. The system was developed with BMW, GM and Mercedes-Benz.
The two-mode hybrid system will use a new electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) mated to the 5.7-litre Hemi V8. This engine also has Dodge's Multi-Displacement System as used in the Ram, which shuts down four cylinders under light load conditions to save fuel. Total output is 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Dodge says the hybrid system will boost city fuel economy by 40 percent and overall fuel economy by more than 25 percent. That should raise fuel economy to about 22 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway compared to 16 city and 21 highway for the regular AWD Durango.
The continuously variable transmission has two electric motors and four fixed gears. A controller determines when the vehicle should operate in the first or second mode. The first mode is mainly to be used in town driving and can use battery power alone up to 30 mph. The second mode is meant for highway speeds and always uses full engine power. The controller determines the necessary torque for the driving conditions and instructs the engine and electric motors to respond accordingly. Torque is transferred to a series of gears in the transmission, which multiply torque similar to a conventional automatic transmission to propel the vehicle. No engine speed changes are necessary for mode shifts to occur.
The Durango Hybrid will have a 300-volt battery pack located under the second-row seats. The battery pack will power the electric motors, and regenerative braking will charge the batteries. A rectifier under the hood will convert the battery pack's AC power to DC to power such accessories as interior lighting, the climate control system, and the radio.
The Durango Hybrid will have a power gauge that will show when the electric motors are aiding power or being charged. The power gauge will also have a green "economy" zone that drivers can use to aim for the optimum fuel economy.
The 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid will be available as an all-wheel drive model with equipment to match the top of the range Limited. Standard features will include dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, the MyGIG Multi-Media Infotainment System, seating for eight, power-adjustable pedals, heated front seats, a rearview camera, and a power liftgate. Dodge's MyGIG Multi-Media Infotainment System comes with an eight-inch touch screen, a navigation system with voice activation and real-time traffic, and a 20-gigabyte hard drive that holds music and picture files, as well as navigation map information.
Pricing hasn't been announced, but the Dodge Durango Hybrid is expected to start from £36,000 when it goes on sale in the middle of 2008.
American Car Imports are an independent importer.
For more information call American Car Imports on +44 (0) 20 8889 4545 or contact them at sales ( @ ) americancarimports dot com and http://www.americancarimports.com
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