Dodge garnered a lot of headlines recently when it launched the 707-horsepower 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, but that car helped Fiat Chrysler Automobiles come in last among eleven carmakers in the EPA’s annual “Fuel Economy Trends” report, released in early October.
The Hellcat, which is EPA rated at 22 mpg highway when driven in Model Citizen mode, is capable of burning up to 1.5 gallons of gasoline per minute at full throttle – although we doubt that many people will keep the pedal to the mat for that long. The car’s top speed is estimated by the manufacturer to be 199 mph.
There was some good news for FCA in the report, because the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel was recognized as the most fuel-efficient pickup. This bit of good news is vital for FCA, which sells trucks in a ratio of 3-to-1 over cars.
To do better in the fuel economy race, FCA has said that it plans to sell more small vehicles, more eight- and nine-speed transmissions, more small gasoline engines, and more diesels. But in contrast to most of its competitors, there are plans only for a very limited number of hybrids and electrics. Right now the Fiat 500e is Fiat Chrysler’s only electric vehicle, and it is sold only in California and Portland, Oregon.
Under development is a plug-in hybrid version of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, being readied for introduction late next year. But FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has been quoted as expressing skepticism of electric car technology and the willingness of consumers to pay for it.
So, for the moment at least, enjoy the old-fashioned supercharged horsepower… while you can.