DODGE DURANGO HYBRID FOR CARS

The Durango Hybrid is expected to increase its fuel efficiency by 20 to 25-percent over the gasoline only version. This means, on a good day, with the wind blowing in the right direction and all of the stars aligned it will achieve about 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The current Durango receives 14 city and 18 hwy. This will also mean that the Durango Hybrid will under-perform the GM hybrid SUVs by approximately 1 to 2 mpg.

The Durango Hybrid will offer a 5.7 liter HEMI V8 with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) or cylinder deactivation as it is also known. An E85 / gasoline 4.7 liter flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) V8 engine will also be available. In addition, the Durango Hybrid will offer two-mode hybrid technology that boosts both acceleration and fuel economy, which is technology currently being used by GM hybrid buses. The MDS system will run the engine on 4 cylinders when less power is needed, but kick into using all 8 cylinders when more power is needed such as for passing or towing.

Dodge has backed out before on offering a Durango Hybrid SUV. In 2002, Dodge abandoned the Durango TTR Hybrid SUV when the power-train did not deliver the expected fuel economy numbers. This design was supposed to use the gasoline engine to power the rear wheels and the electric motor to power the front wheels. Apparently, though, this is now a done deal as Chrysler-Dodge has announced the 2007 Durango Hybrid SUV will indeed be in their fall 2007 lineup.

With DaimlerChrysler's new partnership with General Motors, one can expect a complete redesign of the hybrid power-train system. There have been differing reports on which company will develop which pieces of the hybrid puzzle, but the important part to understand is that both players are now solidly committed to the hybrid game. The days of nay-saying hybrids is gone and a new automotive revolution is taking hold. And, this revolution will benefit everyone.

Pricing hasn't been announced, but we expect the Dodge Durango Hybrid will start at about $42,000 when it goes on sale in the middle of 2008.

Dodge redesigned the Durango for the 2004 model year, making it bigger and placing it between midsize and full-size truck-based SUV competitors.