AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ --
-- Nineteen Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep(R) models see fuel economy
improvements, which represents 73 percent of the total product lineup
-- 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Dodge Durango Hybrid, Dodge Journey, Jeep
Patriot and Jeep Compass offer best-in-class fuel economy
-- Fuel savings of as much as 6.7 million gallons of fuel per year for
American consumers
-- Engineering innovations contribute to improved fuel economy
As 2009 model year vehicles arrive in local Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep(R) showrooms, customers will be pleased to find that fuel economy has increased on 19 of Chrysler LLC's car, truck and SUV models, representing 73 percent of the entire product lineup. American consumers could see savings of as much as 6.7 million gallons of fuel per year with the 2009 fuel economy improvements.
"Chrysler is committed to improving fuel economy for our customers, and we consistently look at viable technologies to help us achieve that goal," said Bob Lee, Vice-President - Powertrain Product Team. "With offerings such as our Multi-displacement System (MDS), Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect, we are able to deliver consumers fuel economy improvements in a majority of our 2009 models."
In total, six Chrysler brand models (Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Chrysler 300, Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Chrysler Aspen), nine Dodge brand models (Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Challenger SRT8, Dodge Charger, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Durango, Dodge Nitro, and Dodge Ram 1500) and four Jeep models (Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander) have better fuel economy than their 2008 predecessors.
Best-In-Class
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles hold numerous best-in-class fuel economy claims for the 2009 model year. The 2009 Dodge Journey offers the best fuel economy in its class with 19 city and 25 highway. The 2009 Jeep Compass 4x4 and Jeep Patriot 4x4 have the best EPA estimated highway fuel economy and are the most fuel efficient four-wheel-drive vehicles in their class. The new 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids deliver best-in-class fuel economy of up to 22 miles per gallon which is an improvement of more than 53 percent in the city and 40 percent overall. The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan offer better highway fuel economy than the leading full-size crossover vehicle and hold an unsurpassed fuel economy for a minivan with 17 city and 25 highway.
Engineering Innovations Make a Difference
For the 2009 model year a more fuel efficient and more powerful version of the renowned 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine has been introduced on various models.
The all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine delivers as much as a five percent improvement in fuel economy - along with more horsepower and torque - courtesy of Variable Valve Timing, expanded four-cylinder mode in the MDS and a host of other technologies. The all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine is available on the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and 300; Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango, Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander.
New technologies on the 2009 Chrysler 300 and the 2009 Dodge Charger include Active Transfer Case and Front Axle Disconnect. Chrysler is the only manufacturer to pair these two technologies on the same vehicle. Chrysler's system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention by disconnecting the front wheels from the drivetrain to reduce friction and rotational inertia. The system provides optimal traction, performance and safety, as well as a fuel economy improvement of one mpg (combined city/highway).
Chrysler Models
Chrysler brand vehicles achieving improved fuel economy include the Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Sebring Sedan, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Chrysler 300, Chrysler 300 SRT8 and the Chrysler Aspen.
2008 2009
2009 Model Year Engine and Transmission City Hwy City Hwy
Chrysler Town
and Country 4.0L V-6, Automatic, Six-speed 16 23 17 25
Chrysler Sebring 3.5L V-6, Automatic, Six-speed 16 26 16 27
Chrysler Sebring
Convertible 3.5L V-6, Automatic, Six-speed 16 26 16 27
Chrysler 300 RWD 3.5L V-6, Automatic, Four-speed 17 24 17 25
Chrysler 300 AWD 3.5L V-6, Automatic, Five-speed 15 22 17 23
Chrysler 300 RWD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 15 23 16 25
Chrysler 300 AWD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 15 22 16 23
Chrysler 300/SRT8 6.1L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 13 19
Chrysler Aspen 2WD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 19 14 20
Chrysler Aspen 4WD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 13 19
Chrysler Aspen 4WD 4.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 17 13 18
Dodge Models
From the Dodge brand, vehicles with improved fuel economy include the
Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Challenger SRT8,
Dodge Charger, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Durango, Dodge Nitro and the Dodge
Ram 1500.
2008 2009
2009 Model Year Engine and Transmission City Hwy City HwyDodge Caliber FWD 1.8L V-4, Manual, Five-speed 24 29 24 30
Dodge Avenger FWD 3.5L V-6, Automatic, Six-speed 16 26 16 27
Dodge Grand Caravan
FWD 4.0L V-6, Automatic, Four-speed 16 23 17 25
Dodge Challenger
SRT8 6.1L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 13 19
Dodge Charger RWD 3.5L V-6, Automatic, Four-speed 17 24 17 25
Dodge Charger RWD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 15 23 16 25
Dodge Charger AWD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 15 22 16 23
Dodge Charger SRT8 6.1L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 13 19
Dodge Durango 2WD 3.7L V-6, Automatic, Four-speed 14 19 14 20
Dodge Durango 2WD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 19 14 20
Dodge Durango 4WD 4.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 17 13 18
Dodge Durango 4WD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 13 19
Dodge Nitro 4WD 4.0L V-6, Automatic, Five-speed 15 20 16 20
Dodge Ram 1500 2WD 3.7L V-6, Automatic, Four-speed 14 19 14 20
Dodge Ram 1500 2WD 4.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 14 19
Dodge Ram 1500 2WD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 19 14 20
Dodge Ram 1500 4WD 4.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 17 13 18
Dodge Ram 1500 4WD 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 17 13 18
Jeep Models
Jeep brand vehicles with improved fuel economy include the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander.
2008 2009
2009 Model Year Engine and Transmission City Hwy City Hwy
Jeep Patriot 4x4 2.4L V-4, Manual, Five-speed 22 27 23 28
Jeep Compass 4x4 2.4L V-4, Manual, Five-speed 22 27 23 28
Jeep Grand Cherokee
4x2 3.7L V-6, Automatic, Five-speed 15 20 16 21
Jeep Grand Cherokee
4x2 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 19 14 20
Jeep Grand Cherokee
4x4 3.7L V-6, Automatic, Five-speed 15 19 15 20
Jeep Grand Cherokee
4x4 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 18 13 19
Jeep Commander 4x2 3.7L V-6, Automatic, Five-speed 14 19 15 20
Jeep Commander 4x2 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 19 14 20
Jeep Commander 4x4 5.7L V-8, Automatic, Five-speed 13 17 13 19
About Chrysler LLC
Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and Mopar(R) brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2007 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest ever with an increase of 15 percent over 2006. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Che{{{Cherokee and Dodge Challenger and Ram. The Chrysler Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In 2007, the Foundation gave approximately $21 million in charitable donations.