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While everyone has been talking Volt, Prius and other hybrid/electric vehicles Chrysler hasn't been sitting still either.
First last year they created their ENVI division which is solely dedicated to producing hybrid and electric vehicles. The first three prototypes were shown at the Detroit Auto Show: the Jeep Renegade, the Chrysler ecoVoyager and the Dodge ZEO.
Second, now that they're a private company, they shut their mouths and started on a $3 billion program to produce new powertrains including the electrics. Amazing what having private funding can do.
Also:
the base electric motor they're working with is a 268 bhp/200 kW unit.
the Phoenix V6 engine discussed in the article goes into production in 2009 and features cylinder deactivation, dual variable valve timing. direct injection etc. 3.0L, 3.3L, 3.6L and 4.0L. One of the plants to make these is just 20 miles from us in Trenton Michigan.
Here's the latest AP article on their progress -
Jeep Renegade
ecoVoyager
ZEO
First last year they created their ENVI division which is solely dedicated to producing hybrid and electric vehicles. The first three prototypes were shown at the Detroit Auto Show: the Jeep Renegade, the Chrysler ecoVoyager and the Dodge ZEO.
Second, now that they're a private company, they shut their mouths and started on a $3 billion program to produce new powertrains including the electrics. Amazing what having private funding can do.
Also:
the base electric motor they're working with is a 268 bhp/200 kW unit.
the Phoenix V6 engine discussed in the article goes into production in 2009 and features cylinder deactivation, dual variable valve timing. direct injection etc. 3.0L, 3.3L, 3.6L and 4.0L. One of the plants to make these is just 20 miles from us in Trenton Michigan.
Here's the latest AP article on their progress -
Chrysler plugs in hybrid prototypes
Dan Strumpf
NEW YORK (AP) - Chrysler has been demonstrating plug-in hybrid prototypes to some dealers that are further developed than those previously shown by the automaker, the company's president said.
In comments at the Motor Press Guild in Los Angeles, Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press said the vehicles are being developed by Chrysler's Envi unit, which the automaker created last year to create electric vehicles and other advanced propulsion technologies.
Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau confirmed the comments and said the prototypes are further along than the concepts the company unveiled in January.
"We are excited about the Envi organization, and we continue to work toward electric vehicles," Deneau said in an interview.
(Jim) Press said the vehicles can reach 100 km/h in less than four seconds and have a range of at least 480 kilometres, The Los Angeles Times reported. He said the technology would be useful in off-road vehicles and might be used in the Jeep brand, the Times reported.
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler, along with General Motors and Ford, have been working frantically to develop new hybrid electric powertrains as consumers shun the automakers' traditionally popular large vehicles.
In January, Chrysler showed three concept cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit featuring pure electric and hybrid electric powertrains. The company has not provided a timeframe for development of the Chrysler ecoVoyager, the Dodge Zeo and the Jeep Renegade, but spokesman Nick Capa said the company would have Envi products on the road within three to five years.
Chrysler also is working to develop hybrid and diesel versions of its top-selling Dodge Ram truck. It has also invested more than $3 billion in investing in new powertrains, including a fuel-saving engine called the Phoenix that it expects to arrive in the 2010 model year.
Dan Strumpf
NEW YORK (AP) - Chrysler has been demonstrating plug-in hybrid prototypes to some dealers that are further developed than those previously shown by the automaker, the company's president said.
In comments at the Motor Press Guild in Los Angeles, Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press said the vehicles are being developed by Chrysler's Envi unit, which the automaker created last year to create electric vehicles and other advanced propulsion technologies.
Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau confirmed the comments and said the prototypes are further along than the concepts the company unveiled in January.
"We are excited about the Envi organization, and we continue to work toward electric vehicles," Deneau said in an interview.
(Jim) Press said the vehicles can reach 100 km/h in less than four seconds and have a range of at least 480 kilometres, The Los Angeles Times reported. He said the technology would be useful in off-road vehicles and might be used in the Jeep brand, the Times reported.
Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler, along with General Motors and Ford, have been working frantically to develop new hybrid electric powertrains as consumers shun the automakers' traditionally popular large vehicles.
In January, Chrysler showed three concept cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit featuring pure electric and hybrid electric powertrains. The company has not provided a timeframe for development of the Chrysler ecoVoyager, the Dodge Zeo and the Jeep Renegade, but spokesman Nick Capa said the company would have Envi products on the road within three to five years.
Chrysler also is working to develop hybrid and diesel versions of its top-selling Dodge Ram truck. It has also invested more than $3 billion in investing in new powertrains, including a fuel-saving engine called the Phoenix that it expects to arrive in the 2010 model year.
Jeep Renegade
ecoVoyager
ZEO