Dodge Still Planning to Launch Two-Mode Ram Hybrid Pickup in 2010
By John O'Dell October 28, 2009
Chrysler's new bosses unveil the company's new 5-year product plan next week and word already is leaking out that with Fiat in the driver's seat there will be a pared-down list of Dodge and Chrysler vehicles in the market.
One model that has survived the cut is the long-awaited two-mode hybrid version of the Dodge Ram pickup.
In an interview with the Detroit News, Scott Kunselman, Chrysler's senior vice president fopr engineering, said there have been no changes of plan for the Dodge Ram hybrid, due to be launched next year.
A diesel version of the truck, however, seems to be out - Kunselman said he doesn't see much recrerational buyer demand for an oil burner.
The two-mode hydrid is the same system used by General Motors, BMW and Daimler - it was co-developed by the four companies back when Chrysler was owned by Daimler.
The other partners in the now defunct project also have developed SUVs and pickups using the two-mode system, called that because it can operate in all-electric mode at speeds of up to 25 mph, then kicks into an electric assist mode in which the gas engine does most of the work but gets a boost from the elelctric motors (there are two of 'em) when extra power is needed.
GM already is selling Silverado and Sierra light pickups and its Tahoe and Yukon SUV twins with the dual-mode system; BMW is launching it in the 2010 X5 and X6 lineups, and Daimler is about to launch it in the new ML 450.
Chrysler actually already launched two SUVs with the system - the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids - but killed them after just two months of production late last year as its finances evaporated.
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