[Jeepers]

Fiat Chrysler hasn't really embraced the hybrid trend, but it may be considering it now in order to meet increasingly strict emission standards.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has said that the automaker will have to turn to electrification of its vehicles to meet the government's rules that require cars and light trucks to average 54.5 mpg by 2025 model year. Last year the automaker ranked last among US brads for fuel economy.

Fiat Chrysler is using nine-speed automatic transmission in its vehicles to improve fuel economy. Hybrids will also have to be a part of the plan too though. Marchionne says that "Hybrids [will] become a very large component of that fleet. You can't get it without the hybrids. It's impossible."

Do you think that the Jeep Renegade will get a hybrid model some time in the future?

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/05/fiat-chrysler-warming-hybrids.html

 

[Rivmage]

FCA didn't talk about hybrids at all in their 5 year plan. Something I a bit surprised about is Jeep hasn't done is electric motors to each wheel yet. This would allow more instant torque to each wheel, which can be quite useful in some rock crawling/off-roading situations.

Scott

 

[4x4]

nothing is impossible. but i dont think anytime soon

 

[Willy]

Renegade is not the model to start reducing your CAFE with. Sure lets take the most fuel efficient model we've ever made, make it marginally better and ask a premium for it. We're forecasting sales of 12.

Riv I like that idea, and I think it would fly much better on a JK.. Actually Chrysler was working on that before FIAT got involved. FIAT promptly went and disbanded the division http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envi_(automobile)

I doubt we see Hybrids from FCA, they've made a big thing about not being interested in Hybrids they say the gains are too costly too marginal to warrant the resources, say DI and diesel are much better projects. I agree actually, Hybrids are just an excuse to pretend.

http://www.carscoops.com/2013/08/no-evs-hybrids-for-fiat-and-chrysler.html

 

[Rivmage]

Mazda has done some amazing things with the Skyactive tech, my CX-5 is getting 31 to 32MPG mostly city driving, if I do mix I can easily get 36+.

Scott

 

[Jeepers]

I've seen reports that FCA will be doing hybrids and I posted an article that supports it. I even quoted Marchionne so I think that you aren't really reading everything that's going on.

 

[Willy]

I've seen reports that FCA will be doing hybrids and I posted an article that supports it. I even quoted Marchionne so I think that you aren't really reading everything that's going on.

LOL because Marchionne is so trustworthy, we've had a new 5 year plan for Alfa Romeo every year the last 3 years and he's already started back peddling on what he said last week!

Sergio Marchionne. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The Great Sergio said at an event in Indiana today that he'll still be a success even if he doesn't meet some of his lofty targets. "The exercise of leadership requires the setting of some pretty bold objectives," Marchionne told reporters. Uh, whatever you say, Sergio, but in this country we call that backpedaling. And given your ridiculously aggressive sales targets for Alfa Romeo in this country, it smacks of so much #BushLeagueBullshit too. - PMD

And this new promise of Hybrids is a back pedal of what he said less than a year ago. So I think you need to READ MORE

Fiat’s only EV – the 500e – is sold exclusively in California for the same price as a petrol-powered Fiat 500.

Fiat-Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne said earlier this year that the company was losing US $10,000 on each 500e that it sold.

This fact, plus the latest reports, would suggest that Fiat-Chrysler isn’t planning to introduce the EV into other markets anytime soon.

While the vast majority of global manufacturers putting more and more emphasis on hybrid engines, plug-in hybrid, electric or fuel cells, the Fiat-Chrysler group does not intend to follow this trend.

This was confirmed by Bob Lee, head of engine development, in an interview he gave to the magazine Automotive News Europe.

The reason given by the Italian-American industrial group is directly related to costs incurred in the development of these technologies, whose profitability is far from the rendezvous.

I think the Head of Powertrains is abit more plugged in than Marchione. He's pandering for the investers who saw through his ishbull plan the other day, hes telling them what they want, TESLAS frothy, maybe if wwe start playing mee too we'll get some love. The CEO may be the head but he makes VERY few decisions, its all done by committees and boards that ultimately all answer to the bean counters.

FIAT has an advantage in small turbo chargers and direct injection (they actually invented common rail diesel injection) but hey I guess they should throw it all away for buzz worthy technology that are worthless in the long run.

 

[4x4]

everyone chillax. it'll happen if its meant to be

if not. no biggie

unless u MUST have a hybrid renegade.

 

[Willy]

Look what Marchionne has gone and said now

This week Mr. Marchionne offered up a plethora of excellent little quips. For example, Reuters reports that at an auto conference Wednesday he said with regard to the near micro-car, Fiat 500e (electric), "I hope you don't buy it because every time I sell one it costs me $14,000, I'm honest enough to tell you that." In case that wasn’t completely clear he also said "I will sell the (minimum) of what I need to sell and not one more. If we just build those vehicles, we'll be back asking ... in Washington for a second bailout because we'll be bankrupt.”

500e was a compliance car, they needed to have one for the sake of having one, and it shoots them in the head every time. FIAT can and will be the diesel leader, that's their core competency. For all the gruff given to FIAT (now and past) for their mechanical prowess (), the criticisms are aimed at petrol. Their diesels have always been delightful!

 

[jumpcage]

I would stick with their diesel if I could anyway. I'm use to the smell and bag of marble sounds from my jetta. Can't complain about the 590 miles per tank >

 

[Jeepers]

I think that it is clear that FCA is going to be making hybrids of some kind. Do you think that any of them will be Jeeps? That extra torque would be nice for towing and off-roading.

 

[bunburry]

What is clear, FCA can't make them affordable, double plus no one wants them. Well no one who thinks mind you. Hybrids just don't pay back for the added cost, not to mention the dubious background inputs that are conveniently ignored because we're saving the planet don't you know. .

 

[Rivmage]

Plus, the the process of making batteries for hybrids is way worse then the running of gas engines.

Scott

 

[bunburry]

Plus, the the process of making batteries for hybrids is way worse then the running of gas engines.

Scott

the mining alone is disgusting especially as China is basically the monopoly. There was a story a few weeks back that the production of the very products designed to eliminate pollution were actually spurring it forward. I believe that is the definition of irony.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-14/teslas-in-california-help-bring-dirty-rain-to-china.html
http://science.howstuffworks.com/sc...-production-waste-offset-hybrid-benefits1.htm

 

[Jeepers]

What Fiat-Chrysler paired with another company in order to make hybrid models instead of doing all the R&D themselves. Even if its not for Jeep, a hybrid Chrysler 200 would definitely sell.

 

[Edward E Matus]

Jeep was fine with hybrids and were test a hybrid wrangler in 2008 (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...chnology-off-road-with-wrangler-based-plug-in) when along comes Marchione from FIAT who wants to sell vehicle with small gas engines through the Chrysler dealerships after a disastrous FIAT marketing effort 20 years earlier with their excellent performing and handling but shoddy construction of the 124 line. FIAT still lags behind the industry in EV and hybrid tech. But at least Marchione is forced by US Govt refs to let Chrysler Jeep complete their hybrid plans.

 

[willk]

If the Renegade could go 0-60 in 7 seconds and 31 miles all electric then I would definitely pay 3-5 thousand extra. I drive 75% city so I would save a couple thousand a year just in fuel costs.

 

[JimGoldenCO]

If the Renegade could go 0-60 in 7 seconds and 31 miles all electric ...

I didn't buy my Renegades for a fast 1/4 mile.
And 31 miles is just about 1/2 way to a typical commute for me.

 

[RenegadeDude]

I didn't buy my Renegades for a fast 1/4 mile.
And 31 miles is just about 1/2 way to a typical commute for me.

I didn't buy it for acceleration either but more power is always welcome, and sometimes a safety issue in this slow poke. 30 miles pure electric would satisfy 98% of daily life, would be perfect. So there you don't want it and I do. So we have ended that debate and hopefully we can focus on the tech aspect of it now, but this being an internet forum I know better

 

[Nev]

The Alfa Romeo Tonale* will be a Hybrid on the 500X/Renegade platform.




*AKA Probably My Next Car