Hybrid Ram Arriving If Chrysler Survives

The Dodge Ram pickup truck has been a runaway success for Chrysler ever since the truck line was drastically overhauled back in the early 1990s. Though it hasn't overtaken the Ford F-Series or Chevy Silverado in sales, the Ram always places a strong third and is defending itself from foreign makes such as the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan.

The 2010 Dodge Ram Hybrid

Once Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy, the automaker will be under the control of Fia SpA, the Italian automaker. Fiat promises to keep a number of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products alive and apparently is pleased with the Dodge Ram. To make matters even nicer, Chrysler is still working hard to roll out a hybrid version of the Dodge Ram, a vehicle that should hit showrooms later this year.

The Dodge Ram Hybrid isnt' the first gas-electric vehicle developed by Chrysler. Briefly in 2008, the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid were sold, but those vehicles were pulled after only a few months when Chrysler decided to drop both model lines. That technology has been waiting in the wings ever since and is what will power the all new Ram.

Sharing Development Costs And Technology

Like General Motors, Chrysler's hybrid system is two-mode which allows the truck to run on electric power longer while still meeting important payload thresholds. This system was developed in cooperation with BMW, GM and Mercedes, allowing Chrysler to get into the hybrid game by sharing technology and development costs.

If GM is a good measuring stick for what Dodge will be offering, then a look at the Chevy Silverado Hybrid reveals that it can still carry three tons while getting 20 mpg, a 50% boost over a comparable V8 model. Dodge plans to use its 5.7L HEMI V8 in its hybrid which means that customers can expect a truck that has the power to do the job while squeezing out as much gasoline as possible.