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Of course,
that also means a premium price. The Aspen hybrid has an
MSRP of $44,770 - $8000 more than a conventional, base
Aspen. However, when you equip a standard Aspen with the
same amenities and equipment, the price difference
between the the Aspen hybrid and the conventional Aspen
- including an $1800 (approximately) tax credit - is
just a couple of thousand dollars.
So, what
are premium amenities? Well, wood-accented door panes and
instrument-panel stack, leather-trimmed bucket seats,
eight-way power drivers seat, heated seats, and 60/40
third-row bench seat that provides seating for up to 8.
Like most
hybrid vehicles, the Chrysler Aspen hybrid offers, as
standard, a navigation that also seconds as a power flow
management system. Thus, drivers can monitor whether
power is coming from the gas engine, motors, battery or
some combination of the above. While drivers shouldn't
pay close attention to such systems, peripheral
monitoring can teach drivers to maximize their fuel
economy.
But it's a
hybrid, and it's all about fuel economy, right?
Offering
an overall 25 percent improvement in fuel economy, the
Chrysler Aspen hybrid achieves about 19/20 mpg
city/highway with its hemi-powered, two mode,
electronically controlled variable transmission.
The 5.7-liter,
385 horsepower HEMI also offers the Multiple
Displacement System (MDS), which helps Chrysler's dual mode hybrid
technology to "leapfrog current technology,"
at least according to Chrysler.
By
seamlessly alternating between four-cylinder and
eight-cylinder modes, the two mode hybrid uses just the
right amount of power based upon driving conditions.
Combined with low- and high-speed electric continuously
variable transmission (ECVT) the Aspen hybrid can use
the electric motors for acceleration, improving fuel
economy, or for regenerative breaking which can be
stored in the 300-volt battery pack.
Much like
Toyota's hybrids, the Aspen hybrid will be able to use
only the electric motors at low speeds. This ability
makes the Aspen hybrid far more fuel efficient than a
conventional Aspen, especially during city driving.
According to Chrysler, the hybrid version of the Aspen will offer a 40 percent improvement in city fuel economy.
In
addition, the Chrysler Aspen hybrid is capable of towing
up to 6,000 pounds. Because the hybrid Aspen can perform
on engine only power, the Aspen can provide full
5.7-liter HEMI V-8 performance, which helps with towing
versus other single mode hybrids.
In
addition, the Aspen hybrid offers Trailer Sway Control,
Electronic Stability Program, Anti-lock Brake System and
next-generation front air bags, ParkSense Rear Park
Assist System, ParkView Rear Back-up Camera System, Tire
Pressure Monitoring System and three-row side-curtain
air bags with roll sensing.
Full SUV
performance with 4-cylinder sedan fuel efficiency - at
least in the city - that's the Chrysler Aspen hybrid.
For just a few thousand more than a conventional Aspen,
the hybrid Aspen is a no-brainer, as the fuel economy
savings provided by the hybrid Aspen will easily recover
the costs Of course, that's before any incentives that
are now quite common on large SUVs and trucks.
If you would like to
receive future information on the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid,
please
Click here..
-- Read
more about the Aspen
hybrid on HybridCarBlog.com.
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