2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid

Most Powerful Hybrid SUVs Now Offer Best-in-Class Fuel Economy

• Official EPA Fuel Economy Ratings Announced for 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrids: Best-in-Class 20 city/22 highway
• Chrysler and Dodge hybrid SÚVs boast fuel economy improvement of more than 53 percent in city, 40 percent overall; offer better city fuel economy than a V-6 Honda Accord




• Full-size SÚVs deliver rare blend of fuel economy, utility, capability and performance

• Customers can expect a tax credit of up to $2,200



Official EPA fuel economy numbers for the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid are 20 city and 22 highway, achieving best-in-class fuel economy ratings for a full-size 4x4 SÚV.

Chrysler LLC's first production hybrids are coupled with the renowned 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology. Total output, when combined with the advanced two-mode hybrid system, is 400 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque – the most powerful hybrid SÚVs.

The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid are priced nearly $8,000 below the competition. Additionally, customers can expect a tax credit of up to $2,200.

'Our new 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids deliver best-in-class fuel economy of up to 22 miles per gallon—an improvement of more than 53 percent in the city and 40 percent overall,' said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler LLC. 'This unique combination of value, fuel economy, performance and capability gives SÚV owners a no-compromise hybrid alternative.'

Capable of towing 6,000 lbs., 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango 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 and Dodge Durango hybrids are built at the Newark Assembly Plant in Delaware. The new 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrids arrive in showrooms this year.

Chrysler Brand
Chrysler is the seventh largest brand in the Ú.S. automotive market. The brand's succession of innovative products continues to solidify Chrysler's standing as the leader in design, agile performance and innovative technology built around a customer's needs, all at an extraordinary value.

The award-winning all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country has 35 new or improved features that include the innovative Swivel ‘N Go™ seating system.

Arriving later this year, the new 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid will give a unique option to customers who need the cargo and towing capability of a sport-utility vehicle, but want a more efficient alternative. Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is better than 53 percent more fuel efficient in the city and 40 percent more fuel efficient overall. Also, for customers seeking additional fuel efficiency, the Chrysler Sebring sedan and Chrysler Sebring Convertible both achieve 30 miles per gallon (mpg) highway fuel economy and have been certified by the Ú.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay program, which recognizes the cleanest, most efficient vehicles sold in the Ú.S.

Dodge Brand
With a Ú.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC's best-selling brand and the sixth largest nameplate in the Ú.S. automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market, including the best-selling minivan in 2007 total sales, Dodge Grand Caravan.

The Dodge brand's first crossover vehicle—the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey—arrived in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2008, and is now available outside North America in petrol and diesel powertrains in both left- and right-hand drive. Arriving in dealerships this year is the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship; the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern interpretation of the American muscle car; and the new 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid, a hybrid-electric vehicle that combines fuel efficient advanced hybrid technology with full-size SÚV performance and capability. Last fall, America's best-selling minivan, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, arrived in dealerships with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ‘n Go™ seating system. In 2007, Dodge Avenger and Nitro entered key volume segments outside North America, joining the Dodge Caliber, the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside of North America.

Source - Dodge

2009 Dodge Durango Offers Hybrid Efficiency

Bringing comfort, convenience, refinement and Chrysler LLC's first production hybrid powertrain system to the full-size sport-utility vehicle (SÚV) market, the 2009 Dodge Durango also boasts several best-in-class capabilities: towing capacity of 8,950 pounds, cargo space (with rear seats folded) of 68.4 cubic feet, and horsepower – 365 with the available 5.7-liter HEMI®.

The new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid offers a blend of performance, utility, capability and vastly improved fuel economy, in a single package. Combined with Chrysler's fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS), the advanced two-mode hybrid technology delivers an overall improvement of more than 25 percent in fuel economy and up to a 40 percent improvement in the city.

Customers who demand performance and efficiency in a conventional powertrain may choose between three engines: a standard 3.7-liter V-6 producing 210 horsepower (157 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque; an E85-compatible, 4.7-liter V-8 engine generating 303 horsepower (226 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N•m) of torque, with the flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) designation as well as improved fuel economy with more horsepower and torque; and a new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with MDS that produces 376 horsepower (280 kW) and 401 lb.-ft. (544 N•m) of torque.

The 2009 Dodge Durango is offered with a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains. Inside, there's seating for up to eight, and amenities including industry-first heated cloth seats, available power rear liftgate, remote start, Stain Repel Seat Fabric and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2009
EXTERIOR

• New exterior color: City Teal Metallic Clear Coat

INTERIOR


• uconnect tunes now with 30-gigabyte hard drive

POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS


• Chrysler's advanced, state-of-the-art two-mode full hybrid system, integrating proven automatic-transmission technology with a patented hybrid-electric drive system

• Hybrid system delivers an overall improvement of more than 25 percent in fuel economy and up to a 40 percent improvement in the city

• New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with fuel-saving MDS technology provides 376 horsepower (280 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb.-ft. of torque (544 N•m)

DESIGN


The 2009 Dodge Durango continues to display bold Dodge styling with taut angles and chiseled surfaces in front-end design, marked by the signature crosshair grille. Rectangular headlamps with dual-halogen bulbs wrap around the corners of the fenders, above a one-piece front fascia with integrated fog lamps and chromed accents.

The 2009 Dodge Durango's high beltline emphasizes its bold appearance, while the roofline dips slightly at the rear to distinguish the silhouette. Short front and rear overhangs contribute to the vehicle's expression of concentrated power, as do flared wheel arches surrounding Durango's wheels.

The rear design of the 2009 Dodge Durango is marked by 'afterburner' taillamps, augmented by a center high-mounted stoplamp integrated smoothly into the rear roofline. A chrome appliqué accentuates the rear liftgate and also features a centered, three-dimensional Ram's head.

ENGINEERING

The two modes in the hybrid system result from low- and high-speed electric continuously variable transmission (ECVT) modes. During the two ECVT modes, the system uses electric motors for acceleration, improving fuel economy, or for regenerative braking to utilize energy that would normally be lost during braking or deceleration. The energy is stored in a 300-volt battery pack for later use. The system's two modes are optimized for city and highway driving. In addition, there are four fixed gear ratios for high efficiency and power-handling capabilities.

The first mode is designed for low speeds and light loads. In this mode, the vehicle can operate in three ways: electric power only, engine power only, or any combination of engine and electric power.

In electric-only operation, the engine is shut off, with the vehicle moving under electric-only power at low speed. The result is a significant reduction in fuel consumption in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

The second mode is used primarily at highway speeds. In addition to electric assist, the second mode provides full power from the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 when conditions demand it, such as when passing, pulling a trailer or climbing a steep grade.

A sophisticated controller determines when the vehicle should operate in the first or second mode. Input from the controller determines the necessary torque for driving conditions and sends a corresponding command to the engine and electric motors. The engine and electric motors transfer torque to a series of gears in the transmission, which multiply torque similar to a conventional automatic transmission in order to propel the vehicle. Únlike conventional continuously variable transmissions, however, the two-mode full hybrid's electrically controlled system uses no mechanical belts or bands. Shifts between the two modes do not require engine speed changes, resulting in seamless accelerations.

A 300-volt battery pack provides electric power for the system, and is designed to fit in the vehicle without compromising passenger space. A rectifier located under the Durango's hood converts AC to DC in order to power conventional 12-volt accessories including interior lighting, climate control and the audio system. The Durango Hybrid's 5.7-liter HEMI engine efficiently maintains the battery pack. The Dodge Durango Hybrid's powertrain produces a total of 385 horsepower (287 kW) and 380 lb.-ft. (515 N•m) of torque.

The 2009 Dodge Durango's standard engine is the 3.7-liter Magnum® V-6 that produces 210 horsepower (157 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque. It is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

Standard on all four-wheel-drive Dodge Durango models, and available on two-wheel-drive models, is a 4.7-liter V-8 engine producing 303 horsepower (226 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N•m) of torque, offering improved fuel economy as well as more power and torque, plus more refinement than previous 4.7-liter V-8s. It is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The new engine is also capable of operating on E85 ethanol fuel, making the Dodge Durango equipped with this engine a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), providing customers with the ability to operate their Durango on ethanol, gasoline or a mixture of the two. The engine also comes with Electronic Throttle Control, which provides engine torque control while compensating for changes in engine load caused by the air conditioning compressor, alternator and power steering pump.

Also available in the 2009 Dodge Durango is the new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, producing 376 horsepower (280 kW) and 401 lb.-ft. (544 N•m) of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI engine is also mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and is available on the 2009 Dodge Durango SLT, Adventurer and Limited models.

Chrysler's MDS – standard with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine – seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy, four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and eight-cylinder mode when more power is in demand. The result is fuel economy that until now could only be expected from a smaller, less powerful engine.

Four-wheel-drive models of the 2009 Dodge Durango are equipped with a standard transfer case providing full-time four-wheel drive. An available two-speed transfer case features shift-on-the-fly capability for switching four-wheel drive between high-range locked or low-range modes.

The 2009 Dodge Durango is built with a torsionally stiff, fully hydroformed frame with independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. 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. The result is refined ride and handling with superior payload (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 6,700 lbs.) and best-in-class towing capability (8,950 pounds).

The 2009 Dodge Durango offers a standard 40/20/40 split second-row seat for seating up to three adults, with ample leg, shoulder and hip room. Optional are second-row bucket seats with a center console, providing rear passengers with individual climate controls and an available DVD entertainment system with SIRIÚS Backseat TV™, as well as reclining seat backs.

Third-row seating in the 2009 Dodge Durango includes a standard bench seat and an available 60/40 split bench – both with fold-flat capability. With third-row seats folded, the Durango boasts best-in-class cargo space of 68.4 cu. ft. With the second- and third-row seats folded, 102.4 cu. ft. of total cargo volume is accessible.

PRODÚCT HIGHLIGHTS

Powerful and efficient powertrains with fuel-saving technologies

• HEMI® Hybrid provides more than 25 percent overall fuel economy improvement; nearly 40 percent in the city

• With a standard 210-horsepower (157-kW) 3.7-liter V-6, available 303-horsepower (226-kW) 4.7-liter V-8, or the best-in-class, 5.7-liter, 376-horsepower (280-kW) HEMI Magnum V-8, the 2009 Dodge Durango offers a full range of powertrains that deliver versatility, power and capability

• The new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine features Chrysler's fuel-saving MDS technology, providing up to 20 percent in fuel-economy savings

• MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy, four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and eight-cylinder mode when more power is in demand

• Dodge Durango was awarded a Five Star® frontal-impact rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2005

• Standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

• Standard on the 2009 Dodge Durango is Chrysler Group's Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability

• Standard roll-sensing side-curtain air bag system uses sensors to keep side-curtain air bags deployed longer in rollovers

• Standard advanced air bag system includes dual-stage front air bags

• Standard Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer

Source - Dodge