Looks like Chrysler is pretty serious about becoming the first company that fully functional hybrid pickup trucks. They’ve even signed a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for this.

The Ram 1500 PHEV includes a liquid-cooled 12.9kWhr lithium ion battery pack and a 6.6 kilowatt (kW) on-board charger. Additional features include AC power generation of up to 6.6kW; directional charging; reverse power flow and full regenerative braking used to capture more energy. For fuel economy improvements, the front axle can be disconnected when not needed. The powertrain also includes a 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine and a two-mode hybrid transmission. The 5.7-liter HEMI is equipped with a Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that improves fuel efficiency at highway speeds by shutting down fuel delivery to up to four cylinders.

The Chrysler Group also is developing a similar fleet of 25 Town & Country minivans with plug-in hybrid technology for demonstration and evaluation that will be allocated to select cities later this year.

Following a series of comprehensive field tests limited series production of approximately 100 hybrid trucks is now underway and deliveries are expected to commence in selected markets in Europe will occur from 2011 to 2013. The Volvo FE Hybrid will initially be delivered to 13 European countries, and sales may be extended to additional markets in the longer term.

The Volvo FE Hybrid is a parallel hybrid, which means that energy from the diesel engine and electric motor can be utilised either together or independently of one another. The system switches automatically between the two power sources. When the hybrid is driven in first gear, the vehicle is powered solely by its electric motor, giving the driver alert throttle response and thus excellent driveability. Then, when the hybrid mode kicks in, the diesel engine and the electric motor will work in parallel to optimise fuel savings.

The new quieter and cleaner hybrid trucks offer  fuel savings of up to 30 per cent and will primarily be used in distribution and refuse operations in urban environments. The trucks will be manufactured in limited series production because the advanced hybrid technology requires customised production solutions. Battery technology is also constantly evolving. This means that the company’s after sales organisation must be trained in parallel to provide the right service to customers.

“Our new Volvo FE Hybrid is a fantastic high-tech truck, which has already created a large amount of interest. It’s clear that there is a great demand for heavy hybrids,” says Claes Nilsson, President of Volvo Trucks’ Europe Division.

“The fact that we are starting production of hybrids now is tremendously inspiring and important for future product development since some form of hybrid technology will exist in most trucks in the future. Hybridization is definitely an important piece of the puzzle for more fuel efficient transport,” says Claes Nilsson.

Further Readings:

• Heico Sportiv Volvo S60
• Volvo C30 Electric Details

The ML450 HYBRID joins the S400 HYBRID and our BlueTEC diesel models in our portfolio of fuel-efficient and environmentally compatible vehicles and will be offered as part of a special lease only option (no purchase) for a monthly lease price of $659 per month for 36 months and $549 per month for 60 months.

ML’s hybrid powertrain consists of a 3.5 liter gasoline V6 engine which is optimized via the Atkinson cycle and delivers 275 hp, plus two electric motors which develop 80 hp and 192 lb.-ft of torque and 83 hp and 173 lb.-ft of torque.

So the car has a combined power of 335 hp and 381 lb.-ft. of torque, which is the same sort of power you get from a 550 V8 engine but with 46 percent better fuel economy. The car manages 21 miles per gallon around town and 24 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid powertrain of the X6 consists of a regular V8 engine and two electric motors which are fed by Li-Io batteries installed in the rear compartment. So it manages to be powerful and economical at the same time. Considering its capabilities, this car delivers great values.

The main source of power is a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 300 kW/407 hp, it is mated to two electric motors developing 67 kW/91 hp and, respectively, 63 kW/86 hp, so the system chucks out a combined power of 357 kW/485 hp and peak torque of 780 Newton-metres/575 lb-ft. This make the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the world.

Over and above the electric motors, the high-performance battery also supplies electrical energy to the power-consuming items linked to the 12-volt on-board network. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 is equipped with electromechanical power steering and an electrical climate compressor both remaining fully functional also when the combustion engine is switched off and enhancing the overall efficiency of the vehicle to an even higher standard through their on-demand consumption and uptake of energy.

As for the performance and fuel economy, the X6 AH delivers great numbers for both! It takes the car only 5.6 seconds to reach 100km/h from stand still, while the average fuel consumption is fairly low at 9.9 litres/100 km (equivalent to 28.5 mpg imp), the CO2 emission rating is 231 grams/kilometre.

The Highlander Hybrid was first introduced in 2006, but not widely marketed until 2008, and was received rather well by the car buying public. The 2009 model is again a four-door SUV with room for up to seven passengers. Good gas mileage for an SUV is achievable in the Highlander Hybrid with the 3.3 liter, V-6 hybrid engine normally achieving 25-29 miles per gallon depending on driving conditions. While the vehicle doesn’t achieve the amazing gas mileage of many alternative fuel powered vehicles, it does quite well for a sport utility vehicle.

The interior of the Highlander Hybrid is up to par in terms of the kind of ride and comfort that Toyota has become known for. Most drivers of the vehicle rave about the roominess of the interior, especially in terms of leg room for the driver. The Highlander Hybrid is perfectly made to haul both adults or children on everything from a business trip to a multi-day driving vacation. The front bucket seats are designed to fit a driver and passenger of any size and are adjustable in a number of different directions. The driver will love the on board trip computer that comes standard on the Highlander Hybrid as it displays not only the average speed and average fuel consumption, but also approximately how many miles the vehicle has to go before it needs to be refueled and a great deal of other information. It also comes with a six speaker AM/FM Radio with CD/MP3 capable stereo system standard in all models.

Safety was a big concern with the Highlander Hybrid, and Toyota’s engineers spared nothing on designing an overly safe vehicle. Along with a large number of airbags designed to protect everyone in the vehicle regardless of where they are seated, the Highlander comes with side guard door beams, a rear facing video camera and three point seatbelts for passengers sitting in either the front or rear of the vehicle.

As far as extra options that a buyer can add on to their Highlander Hybrid, Toyota has come up with a number of them too. For those looking at climate control options, there are front dual zone automatic climate control and both manual and automatic rear air conditioner options available. There is also an option available for a factory installed vehicle anti-theft alarm and immobilizer for those concerned about protecting their new vehicle. A number of other first class options are available in different packages as well.

Overall, anyone looking to take the step to a hybrid vehicle who doesn’t want to leave the comfort and size of a sport utility vehicle behind would be well served in jumping behind the wheel of a Highlander Hybrid. When considering comfort, available space for people and cargo, fuel efficiency, environmental impact, not to mention the overall look and feel of an SUV, a car buyer simply can’t go wrong if they are looking at purchasing the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The vehicle simply offers everything anyone wants from an SUV, plus the added bonuses and benefits of a reliable Toyota built automobile and modern hybrid technology.

Further Readings:

• Dissecting the Toyota MR2
• Guide to Toyota Supra Tuning

What’s Under the Hood of the 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid
With the Yukon Hybrid, you should know that you don’t have to skimp on performance.  This baby still offers a huge engine to handle almost any workload or family for that matter.  It has a 6.0 liter engine that is a V8 and offers 332 horsepower- quite nice for a hybrid.  The hybrid portion of the vehicle is GM’s advanced 2 mode hybrid system.  It offers an electrically variable transmission and a 300 volt storage system.  It should also be noted that there is an active fuel management system on board that makes sure this baby sips gas when advantageous- such as on the highway.  Other tech specs requiring the hybrid system include a nickel metal hydride (NIMH) battery and a nice warranty that covers the engine and hybrid components for 8 years or 100K miles.

Regarding fuel efficiency, the Yukon Hybrid offers 20-21 mpg in city driving and 20-22 mpg on the highway.  Not good, but also not that bad. The price for the 2009 Yukon Hybrid ranges from about $50K to $54K and it should be noted that the 2009 model is a carryover from 2008.

The Engine and Transmission of the Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid
Under the hood of the Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid, you will find a great engine that sports a 5.7 liter V8 with a 90 degree DOHC.  This powerful engine produces about 345 horsepower and 380 lb ft of torque giving you plenty of power when you need it.  Matched with this engine is a very decent 4 speed automatic CVT transmission.  Regarding the hybrid part of this vehicle, the Durango has a 2 mode hybrid system.  It uses a pair of electric motors that are housed inside the transmission to provide fuel efficiency at speeds that reach up to 40 mph.  This system works with the Hemi’s multi displacement system which offers lots of power whether the vehicle is working on 4 cylinders or 8.

All in all this vehicle offers plenty a nice gain in fuel efficiency.  While not a spectacular gain, you will usually get about 20 mpg which is pretty good for a SUV of the size and power of the Durango.  Regarding price, the Durango Hemi Hybrid is a little expensive with a base price of about $45K.

Further Readings:

• Dodge Nitro Lifestyle Package
• Dodge Journey by Irmscher

Lexus GS450H
For those looking for a hybrid SUV, but don’t want to give up on luxury, the Lexus GS450H may look attractive.  After all, the exterior is sophisticated and the interior is filled with breathless luxuries.  Unfortunately, the one reason many people purchase a hybrid (fuel economy) comes up short.  For instance, compared to a gasoline Lexus GS 450 you only get about 3 more miles to the gallon driving the hybrid around.  Add in the extra cost to purchase and maintain the vehicle and you actually lose in the end (by about $5,500).  All in all the Lexus GS 450H while socially responsible is not really practical even for very wealthy drivers.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander has an excellent past and is one of the best 4×4 vehicles ever to hit the trails, however it’s hybrid version leaves little to the imagination and is not quite the most economical.  While Toyota does get points for trying to put a hybrid engine into a behemoth size SUV, ultimately, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid fails to be economical or practical.  With an average fuel economy of 24 mpg, you don’t save enough on fuel efficiency to make up for the extra cost of the hybrid technology.  The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a sticker price of $43,835, ultimately realizing a loss of about $1,250 over a five year period.

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid comes in four flavors, a 2 wheel drive, 4 wheel drive and a limited trim edition which also comes in a 2 or 4 wheel drive model.  While the limited edition adds additional features and badging, it should be noted that the engines in all 4 of these models are the same.  Equipped with a 4 cylinder 2.5 liter, hybrid engine that offers satisfactory performance at 94 hp.  While you shouldn’t expect whip lash performance, this SUV is perfect for many commuters that require added functionality with very good gas mileage, plus the escape can be great for some tame off roading- especially with the 4 wheel drive models.

Gas mileage is very nice for an SUV.  The 2 wheel drive models (both standard and trim) get a very nice 34 mpg on the highway and 31 in the city.  However, you lose some gas mileage with the 4 wheel drive versions- 29 mpg highway and 27 in the city.

For those that are looking for an affordable hybrid SUV, the 2009 Ford Escape definitely impresses.  For those on a budget, you can find a 2 wheel standard model for about 27K, however the 4 wheel drive limited will top out at about 35K.

Check out AmericanTrucks.com and their large selection of Ford Truck Parts.

The Range Rover will not be a low powered, low distance vehicle that many manufacturers are currently producing.  In fact, the Range Rover electric version is expected to achieve 200 miles on one single charge.  In addition, it will have solar panels on the roof to help charge batteries, run the A/C and other interior amenities.  In addition, Range Rover states that there are a whole host of technologies that they are in the process of researching and testing which might make their way into the vehicle.  Range Rover states that this new electric vehicle will use about 80% less energy than a typical Range Rover with no reduction in power.

While this is definitely a step in the right direction, the first few production vehicles produced will be quite expensive and out of reach for most consumers.  Range Rover is expected to release the first electric models for the price of $175K to $230K- easily twice as much as Tesla’s Roadster.  However, for those into off roading and the environment, this is definitely a step in the right direction and will lead to lower prices and better technology for the many vehicles to come.  While currently just a prototype, we look forward to seeing the new electric Range Rover in a couple of years.