2008 Chrysler Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen SUV with hybrid Hemi V8 engine by fall-2007

Chrysler is planning to fit its new fuel-efficient hybrid Hemi V8 engine in its new 2008 models of Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs. Chrysler calls the hybrid Hemi V8 as its most efficient engine. The hybrid SUVs will also have twin electrical motors, which will do duty with the gasoline engine. In the Hemi V8, four of the eight cylinders shut off during highway cruising, saving the extra power delivered by them. With the hybrid Hemi engines, they can now entirely run on electric motors too.

The hybrid hemi engines used in the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs has been developed by General Motors and BMW. General Motors' Yukon Hybrid will be the first vehicle to use this hybrid system. It will go on sale this 2007 fall.

Currently, the Hemi V8 engine is used in Chrysler's Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger R/T sedans cars. In hybrid SUVs, like hybrid cars, the vehicle is powered alternately by two electrical motors and a gasoline engine. The engine charges a battery which runs the motors. An on-board computer shuts off the gas engine whenever not required and switches to electrical mode. The battery for the electrical motor is charged while the vehicle is using the gas engine.

According to Chrysler, there will be 40% better fuel economy in city driving and 25% better overall economy compared to the non-hybrid Hemi-powered SUVS.

The 5.7 litre 345-horse power Hemi V8 engine will have enough hauling and towing capabilities, says Chrysler. Chrysler believes that those who buy its Aspen and Dodge Durango cars look for towing and hauling ability in their SUV.

According to General Motors, the hybrid Hemi V8 system is made in such a way that it can easily fit into the existing Dodge Durango and Aspen models without major changes.

According to automobile hybrid vehicle analysts, the hybrid hemi V8 engine will help take the Chrysler SUVs to the same level of fuel efficiency as smaller sedans.

Fuel efficiency for the normal (non-hybrid) Aspens and Dodge Durangos is 13 miles a gallon in the city and 18 on the highway. The hybrid versions with the hemi V8 engine should get an estimated 18.2 mpg in city driving and about 22.5 on freeways.

The onboard computer in hybrid vehicles like the Prius and the Aspen SUV judges the speed, load, and several road factors to judge the most fuel-efficient combination of powerplants for any given road condition.

The towing capacity or exact power figures (the current hemi offers 335 bhp) are not yet available from Chrysler.