Ram hybrid still on track
Diesel version on hold, but hybrid coming in 2010Several years ago GM, Chrysler, BMW and Mercedes formed a partnership to develop a hybrid powertrain that many claimed would be superior to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Eventually, this dual mode hybrid powertrain was launched in a number of hybrid vehicles, such as the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the Dodge Durango hybrid, but sales have never taken off. In fact, all of Chrysler's previous dual mode hybrids have been discontinued.
Nonetheless, Chrysler will take another stab at hybrids with the Dodge Ram hybrid due out in 2010. While the dual mode powertrain is a perfect hybrid powertrain for large trucks and SUVs, such as the Ram, it's upfront costs - as much as $10,000 - have resulted in few dual mode hybrid sales since its debut in 2007.
Labels: dodge ram hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:05 AM
9 Comments:
I see more fail here!
yeah, unfortunately, i do to.
Indigo Incarnates
It's a shame that it will likely fail. It's an impressive feat of engineering. The only thing wrong with the system is the price.
it is an impressive feat of engineering.
so why doesn't it work?
When I think of a Dodge pick up, I think of the hundreds of very nice almost new Dodge pick ups with large FOR SALE signs on their back window on sitting on empty mall parking lots every day of the week.
You could actually save more money over 8 years purchasing a loaded low mileage Ram, say 07,or 08...for about 1/2 of its sticker price - and it would be cheaper than a new hybrid Ram, unless gas reaches 5.oo a gallon soon.
Dodge started the "oversized truck" market in the early 90's when the new 1500 came out and had a V-10 option. This was shortly followed by the elimination of the D-50 small pickup, and the offering of the Dakota with a 4.3 liter engine.
Dodge trucks are now too big to have hybrid power-trains at a price that would draw any real attention.
At least Fiat is there now to bring some small vehicle knowledge into the company....
When you look at the F Series and the Sierra/Silverado, a lot of Americans buy large trucks. There has to be some solution.
If not hybrids, is it diesel?
There is large, and then there is "ludicrous".
It is amazing how much bigger the same models of truck have gotten compared to the that model only a few years ago.
The 2010 F-150 is now a foot taller than older F-150's.
Why?
- Are people that much taller now?
- Do they need an extra foot of clearance suddenly?
- Are they having that much trouble seeing over traffic?
- Do they prefer "climbing" into trucks?
- Do people prefer leaving their trucks parked in the driveway because they won't fit in the garage?
The F-150 (The base model full sized truck) is now bigger than older F-350's Super Duty.
The bed of most 2010 trucks is now higher than the top of many cars. You need an electric lift just to load the darn thing.
This is like a drug addiction.
What we need is an "intervention".
The gov't needs to step in and perform that intervention.
If we combine higher gasoline prices with higher fuel economy standards, maybe we can reverse this trend.
The gov't has already stepped in and increased future fuel economy requirements for trucks. I would love to see a gasoline tax increase on top of that.
I think we will see a "downsizing" of trucks over the next decade.
lets hope so
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