In moment rich with irony, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli arrived in Washington on Wednesday in a Chrysler Aspen Hybrid SUV.
The Aspen looks pretty good. It drives nicely, too. And it gets really good fuel economy for a heavy-hauling SUV.
The ironic part: If you want one you'd better hurry, because they're not making them for very long. This vehicle, and the very similar Dodge Durango Hybrid, only went into production in the Fall. But just a few weeks later, Chrysler announced it was closing the factory that makes them, as well as their non-hybrid versions. Weak sales of SUVs meant Chrysler just couldn't justify keeping the line running any longer.
The hybrid system used in the Aspen was developed by the former DaimlerChrysler in conjunction with General Motors and BMW. It's also used in the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. Tuned slightly differently, Chrysler's version provides smoother power delivery than GM's. The Aspen and Durango are also a bit smaller than the Tahoe, making them easier to maneuver on crowded roads.
The differences between the Aspen and Durango are entirely cosmetic. But it's worth the extra money considering that the interior is much nicer looking on the Aspen.
NEXT: Jeep EV
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