[DoomsDave]

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2009-dodge-ram-with-hemi-v8-could-top-segment-in-fuel-economy.html

Dodge says 23 mpg hwy. Better hwy fuel economy (21 mpg?) than the 2-Mode in the Tahoe. Probably about the same for the not yet released 2-Mode Silverado and Sierra.

This could be a PR disaster for GM if their premier hybrid powertrain doesn't beat a non-hybrid competitor. I'm sure the city numbers will be better, but Dodge will have the big number for bragging rights

 

[jkennedy293]

I'll believe it when I see the EPA window sticker.

 

[4wdaaron]

I'll believe it when I see the EPA window sticker.

Ha. I'll believe it when I see THE REAL WORLD NUMBERS.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Hemi! Yeeeaaah

 

[WishIhadatruck]

More power to them if they've done it but it seems highly unlikely. I'm with you guys, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[DuSpinnst]

The 4.7L I was driving around got 16 MPG in the city, better than the 14 MPG the current RAM gets.

 

[Sinner]

I'm pretty skeptical, Dodge has piss poor mileage especially in it's Hemi powered products. Though that hasn't stopped me from looking at getting a Challenger.

 

[CJ Thunder]

Interesting as they also have the 2 mode and I remember reading that 30 mpg was the goal for a hybrid Durango.

 

[69Firebird400]

I've learned that city milleage is far more likely in the real world than highway mileage. How many people spend most of their driving going 55-60 on the highway with no traffic or stops? To that end, the two mode hybrid will wallop the Dodges.

Still, that's pretty dang impressive. Oh, and the manufacturers do their own EPA testing, with a small sample verified by the EPA for accuracy. So if Chrysler says it will do that, they probably tested it already (unless they want a fiasco like VW had with the Jetta TDI).

 

[psece]

Maybe they are using the 100mpg Carburetor! Dialed it back to 23mpg as to not upset the oil companies.....

 

[fan]

Well, Tahoe has a larger engine and it weighs more especially in the hybrid version, so Ram should have better mileage on highway. But anyway hybrids ar not about highway but city driving. Ram won't have better city numbers.

 

[psece]

The engine changes account for only 5% of the 20%. The rest is weight reduction and aerodynamic changes. Only 80 pounds was removed and it still has a big snout so I am a little weary of the numbers....

 

[Titanic]

Well, Tahoe has a larger engine and it weighs more especially in the hybrid version, so Ram should have better mileage on highway. But anyway hybrids ar not about highway but city driving. Ram won't have better city numbers.

The whole point of the "2 Mode" hybrid system was to increase both city AND highway efficiency.

 

[symdon]

My GM Trainer says he was getting 27 mpg with his Hybrid Tahoe and the sticker is rated at 20 and 20..

 

[big swede]

My GM Trainer says he was getting 27 mpg with his Hybrid Tahoe and the sticker is rated at 20 and 20..

Yeah my salesman told me I was getting a great deal on the last car I bought also.

 

[Slideways]

The Tahoe delivers, even when you don't put your mind to getting better mileage. I am skeptical about the numbers from the Hemi, since they have been such a pig in the past, getting about 13mpg. Time will tell, hopefully we're wrong.

 

[Geotpf]

Large hybrid SUVs will never be big sellers. They are a waste of time. The type of person who cares about fuel economy and needs to haul a lot of people doesn't buy a large SUV; they buy a minivan. Somebody needs to make a hybrid minivan.

 

[rumble bee]

This is great for Dodge! I knew that they would get it together with the 2009 Ram redesign. I knew if they ever got the fuel economy up to where their performance was they would have the ultimate truck. Now that this is out, they now have 'better mileage' too, look for the Ram to make serious inroads in the half ton market. Any word on if the Rumble Bee trim will make a comeback with the 09 Ram 1500?

This will be beneficial to GM as well as it will push them to greatness. Now that Dodge has surpassed them in highway mileage, it will force GM to buckle down and do their best to top them and get the bragging rights back. This is the magic of competiton.

 

[likearock00]

Doesn't the Ram have AFM? That helps a bit too....

 

[rumble bee]

Now that the Ram 1500 is on a roll, I would like to see a V8 Cummins come on line in the Ram HD. Something about a I6 does not make me feel as confortable as knowing that there is 8 cylinders pumping out power. Guess thats why I drive a HEMI. I hope Dodge brings back the Rumble Bee with the 09 Ram 1500, though.