Fuel Economy Increases for 2009

Fuel Economy Improvements for 73 percent of 2009 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® Models

• Nineteen Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® 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

Auburn Hills, Mich., Oct 31, 2008  -  As 2009 model year vehicles arrive in local Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® 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® 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).

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	Hwy
Dodge 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, Six-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®, Dodge and Mopar® 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 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.

Source: Chrysler Media Site