Car and Truck News

Onslaught of New Initiatives to Result in Significantly Improved Fuel Efficiency

- Mild-hybrid technology to debut in future Chrysler Group vehicle

- Chrysler two-mode hybrid program to expand

- 2009 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee BLUETEC: another 50-state clean diesel from
Chrysler Group

- Company to explore development of 4-cylinder diesel for North American
market, and expansion of 3.0-liter V-6 diesel

- New V-6 family of engines to include Multi-displacement System (MDS),
resulting in fuel economy gain of 6 to 8 percent

- Significantly upgraded 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8

- New 4.7-liter V-8 delivers 5-percent fuel economy improvement

- Dual-clutch transmission to result in fuel economy improvement of up to
6 percent

- Common axle program to improve fuel economy, axle efficiency and costs

- Weight reduction, aerodynamic and drivetrain improvements to raise fuel
economy 5 percent

Chrysler Group’s Powertrain Offensive took a major leap forward today when Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President - Product Development, announced a barrage of new initiatives targeted solely at improving the fuel efficiency of future Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles.
Among the fuel-efficient initiatives are a commitment to developing mild- hybrid technology and expanding the company’s two-mode hybrid program; new six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines - including cylinder-deactivation in a V-6; dual-clutch transmission technology; a common axle program; weight reduction, aerodynamic and drivetrain initiatives; and another BLUETEC clean- diesel vehicle.

Additionally, the company announced it is exploring the development of a (more…)

Consumer reports has this great tool that allows you to watch crash tests of your vehicle. The real tests are shown, run by CR, and their ratings are explained with detail placed on the finer points of what’s happened.

Very useful tool, though there are many makes an models not represented, so it’s really a sampling of the market place. Since Consumer Reports buys… (more…)