“Producible” Chrysler Plug-In Hybrid: 0-60 in 4 Seconds
Apparently, Chrysler has been demonstrating plug-in hybrids to select dealers around the US that have “at least” a 300 mile range and can go from 0-60 in “less than” 4 seconds. According to the LA Times, Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press claims these prototypes are in a “producible” state.
Following in lock step, Chrysler has screwed the pooch like every other American car company over the last 5 years by completely ignoring the market for fuel efficient vehicles.
While both GM and Ford have finally reacted to this plight by beginning drastic company-wide overhauls from the ground up, I’ve been left wondering: does Chrysler still know that they’re losing money?
- » See also: Leo Motors CEO Dr. Robert Kang on the Future of Electric Vehicles
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After buying Chrysler off of an ecstatic Daimler-Benz last year, private equity firm Cerberus began a plan to turn the company’s fortunes around, including laying off 12,000 workers, closing factories and deleting some models from its line-up. As of yet, none of this has staunched the flow.
So when I hear news that Chrysler has a producible plug-in hybrid prototype that can go from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds, I’m left wondering: WTF mate? Who’s in charge and why are only dealers being allowed to see this thing? Makes me hesitant to believe a word of it… but still… I want to believe.
No word on the time frame until those of us who might actually buy the plug-in will be able to see it, but Chrysler said back in July that it will start producing plug-ins in 3-5 years. Holy crap. Granted, I’m not a businessman, but it seems like that time frame is engineered to put Chrysler out of its misery without a fight.
Wake up Chrysler. If you’ve got the goods, bring it to the market. There’s no room in this brave new world for beating around the bush.
Posts Related to the Re-tooling of the US Auto Industry:
- Like GM, Ford Decides They’d Better Start Producing Smaller, More Fuel-Efficient Cars
- Prototype Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid: 88 MPG on 85% Ethanol
- How to Build an Electric Car Charging Infrastructure: Smart Grids, Fast Charging and Universal Access
- Think Electric Cars are Expensive? Try Ford’s F-250 Full-Sized Truck
- Smaller Is Bigger: Car buyers are thinking small
- Report Claims Every New Car Will Be a Hybrid By 2020
- Plug-in Hybrid Drivers are Charged Up
- Aptera Electric Car Closer to Production After Cash Infusion
Image Credit: enviziondotnet’s Flickr photostream. Image reproduced and altered under a Creative Commons license. Note that the image above is of a Chrysler concept car that may have no relation to the plug-in hybrid prototype.
Source: LA Times (via Wired)
MaxHedrm repeats the snake oil that electrics just relocate the pollution, which is simply not true. Even the dirtiest power plants (at least in Europe and North America) are cleaner than gas engines right up front. And such comments completely ignore the fact that a power plant upgrade or replacement immediately upgrades all of the vehicles getting power from it. Not to mention the mass migration going on right not to wind, solar, geothermal and other non-polluting sources of power.
ha ha. i like your style. LeBaron 08.
Press is using the 2005 Toyota “VOLTA” concept car, which is a muscle-car EV with very high kW power rating (perhaps 150 kW), a relatively small and cheap battery, and a genset large enough to power the motor and/or recharge the batteries (perhaps 80 hp, because you don’t need 150 kW all the time! And you get some of it back via regen braking).
Chrysler can’t produce the car because of the agreement by the auto companies to not produce an EV or plug-in car. It’s easy to do, as they proved in the 1990’s, but unless force, they won’t do it.
Why does the american car industry move this slow?
Why does the american car industry move this slow?
This is good news for Chrysler. I see all the typical bashers are out in full force. I read all these negative comments from individuals who are totally clueless. Having operated an electric hyster forklift when I was young I can tell you electic motor driven cars going fast will be pretty normal. Sure it’s going to get mentioned but remember the most effecient gas engines also have a lot of horsepower. Back in the late 60’s massive horsepower was produced from ineffecient oversized engines. The Hemi engines of today can’t be compared to the originals other then the fact the heads have a simular cavity above the pistons. I’d look for Chrysler and Ford to launch an electric plug in car about the same time as GM’s Volt. Remember Chrysler is not new to plug in technology. They’ve built several plug in mini-vans in the past. Speaking of which they’ve increased the fuel mileage on the minivans 2 mpg for 2009. Not much but it’s better then Toyota and Honda’s fuel mileage. They should put the 2.4 I4 cylinder back in the minivans. That engine in the past posted better mileage and they could offer a lower MSRP then the competition as well.
“why not realize that a million electricaly propelled cars on the road (Obama’s dream by 2015) will have zero effect on the demand for oil. Those cars will redcue (atmost) demand by less than 1/4th of 1 percent. ”
Hey Thomas C Gray, which is it, a 1/4 of 1% of zero? I’m confused. If it’s not using oil, why is not reducing the consumption? So if business as usual, then it’s still going down? Which OIL company do you work for, again?