Home Stretch: Hybrid Team Awaiting Debut, Thinking About Production
Nov 9, 2007 at 2:12PMDodge’s hybrid team is working toward the debut of the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids. We asked our hybrid guru (who yesterday was in meetings from 7 am until 6 pm, by the way) to shed some light on what he’s feeling as showtime gets closer. We also have included a new audio feature with his post, where the author talks about what it’s like being him these days. Simply click on the play button and the clip will begin. — RLD
By Abdullah A. Bazzi
Manager, Hybrid Development
AUDIO: Bazzi on the anticipation of the Durango and Aspen release…
AUDIO:…and on working on the hybrid in a partnership with GM, BMW and Mercedes.
TROY, Mich. — We’ve been working on this project since February 2005, so it’s been a lot of work. These days, there is a lot of excitement. The team has been working very, very hard. And they take pride in what they’ve done. It has been a difficult journey, but one filled with excitement. I’d compare it to studying for an exam and knowing you’ve done extremely well…just waiting to get the A.
At this stage, we don’t have a lot of wiggle room, but even now there are definitely tweaks to the design to make sure the product we are producing is flawless. We’re looking forward to the public and press seeing the vehicle, watching what they say about it so we can see what we can learn from their thoughts.
We are certain, not just hopeful, but certain that the public and the critics will be looking at the Durango and Aspen hybrid system as a benchmark. We think this is going to pave the way for the others to come that the model of our joint hybrid development center — whether it’s GM’s team, Mercedes or BMW - can successfully act as a single team to create such a unique system and put it to use in novel ways.
What remains to be done after the debut is the next launch phase. We’ll go to the plant in Newark, Delaware, and work on a higher volume, advanced pilot program, just short of the Job One launch to come. The purpose of this is to validate the production process, using the actual line. The employees are being trained to assemble the vehicle in the real world environment of the plant, so that when we do actually go to production, the process will be seamless.
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5 Comments
Very Good position Abdallah
By the way, Mr. Bazzi, CO-OPERTITION! That’s great! I like the sound of the word, and if more companies adopt this approach, maybe they’ll start bringing improved technologies to market faster, and the consumer and the environment will both benefit.
Could a business case be made for eventually producing the Challenger with a Hemi-hybrid engine? I would love some relief from high gasoline prices, while still being able to enjoy my dream car. Maybe an electric motor for those long, slow crawls in gridlock, that would seamlessly disengage when you put the hammer down.
Why not a Diesel version instead?
Just use the Cummins from the trucks!!!!! You can also put it in the Charger, Viper (it has more torque than the V10), Magnum, and even the new Challenger too!!
I would like to see a hybrid Caliber and PT Cruiser as well as something even smaller.
How about a non-SRT Viper, perhaps with the the 5.7 snd/or 6.1L Hemi?? And make it available with an automatic or DSG trnamsission ?? You can also make the automatic available on the SRT-10 version, which should be able to handle it if it can handle the Cummins.
Come on guys, DON’T BE LIKE GM!!!!!!!!
1. What is the improvement in fuel efficiency?
2. At what price (e.g. the “hybrid premium”)
3. When will we see 50-state approved “clean” diesels from Dodge?