Chrysler Aspen
Encyclopedia
The Chrysler Aspen is a full-size sport utility vehicle
from Chrysler
. Launched for the 2007 model year, the Aspen is essentially a rebranded Dodge Durango
SUV. The Aspen name was previously used
by Dodge
(on a twin of the Plymouth Volaré
) from 1976 to 1980.
was the first truck-based Chrysler brand vehicle in terms of Corporate Average Fuel Economy
(CAFE) fuel economy standards. With this introduction, as of 2006, all American automobile brands had an SUV in their range. The truck was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
. The Aspen also came equipped with three rows of seating for 8 passengers and all-wheel drive
.
The Aspen came in one series, the Limited, with several optional equipment packages to customize the vehicle. Only a few standalone options were offered.
The Aspen had three engines available, a flex-fuel 4701 cc V8 engine (capable of running on E85
or gasoline in states where E85 ethanol is legal under emission standards), a gasoline 4.7 L V8 (for California
and other states where the E85 4.7 L V8 will not meet emissions requirements), and the 5654 cc Chrysler Hemi
V8 with MDS
.
version of the Aspen was introduced for the 2009 model year. It had the 340 hp 345 cu in (5.7 l) Hemi engine
with MDS
, as well as the new Two-Mode Hybrid
system developed with General Motors
and BMW
. Reports by Chrysler indicated a 25% gain in highway fuel economy and a 40% gain in the city.
Chrysler announced that the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid would have a starting MSRP
of $45,570.
facility producing the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen would be moved up to the end of 2008, effectively ending production of the Aspen and Aspen Hybrid for the 2009 model year. Production ceased on December 19, 2008.
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
from Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
. Launched for the 2007 model year, the Aspen is essentially a rebranded Dodge Durango
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is a full-size crossover SUV from the Dodge division of Chrysler. It was introduced in 1998 as a mid-size SUV, and as a replacement for the Ramcharger discontinued in the North American market in 1993, and was redesigned to full-size for 2004....
SUV. The Aspen name was previously used
Dodge Aspen
The Dodge Aspen, produced from 1976 to 1980, was a compact car from Chrysler Corporation's Dodge division; its Plymouth-branded counterpart was the Volaré . It was launched as a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, and a unique-for-the-segment station wagon...
by Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
(on a twin of the Plymouth Volaré
Dodge Aspen
The Dodge Aspen, produced from 1976 to 1980, was a compact car from Chrysler Corporation's Dodge division; its Plymouth-branded counterpart was the Volaré . It was launched as a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan, and a unique-for-the-segment station wagon...
) from 1976 to 1980.
Features
The Aspen was the first truck-based Sport Utility Vehicle commercialized under the Chrysler brand, although the PT CruiserChrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro styled compact automobile launched by Chrysler as a 5-door hatchback in early 2000 and as a 2-door convertible in early 2005 ....
was the first truck-based Chrysler brand vehicle in terms of Corporate Average Fuel Economy
Corporate Average Fuel Economy
The Corporate Average Fuel Economy are regulations in the United States, first enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1975, and intended to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks sold in the US in the wake of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo...
(CAFE) fuel economy standards. With this introduction, as of 2006, all American automobile brands had an SUV in their range. The truck was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
. The Aspen also came equipped with three rows of seating for 8 passengers and all-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
.
The Aspen came in one series, the Limited, with several optional equipment packages to customize the vehicle. Only a few standalone options were offered.
The Aspen had three engines available, a flex-fuel 4701 cc V8 engine (capable of running on E85
E85
E85 is an abbreviation for an ethanol fuel blend of up to 85% denatured ethanol fuel and gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. E85 is commonly used by flex-fuel vehicles in the US, Canada, and Europe. Some of the benefits of E85 over conventional gasoline powered vehicles include the potential...
or gasoline in states where E85 ethanol is legal under emission standards), a gasoline 4.7 L V8 (for California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and other states where the E85 4.7 L V8 will not meet emissions requirements), and the 5654 cc Chrysler Hemi
Chrysler Hemi engine
The Chrysler Hemi engine, known by the trademark Hemi, is a series of V8 engines built by Chrysler with a hemispherical combustion chamber. Three different types of Hemi engines have been built by Chrysler for automobiles: the first from 1951–1958, the second from 1964–1971, and the third...
V8 with MDS
Multi-Displacement System
Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System is an automobile engine variable displacement technology. It debuted in 2004 on the 5.7 L modern Hemi V8...
.
Hybrid
A hybridHybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
version of the Aspen was introduced for the 2009 model year. It had the 340 hp 345 cu in (5.7 l) Hemi engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
with MDS
Multi-Displacement System
Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System is an automobile engine variable displacement technology. It debuted in 2004 on the 5.7 L modern Hemi V8...
, as well as the new Two-Mode Hybrid
Global Hybrid Cooperation
Global Hybrid Cooperation is a set of hybrid vehicle technologies jointly developed by General Motors, Daimler, and Chrysler LLC, with BMW joining in 2005...
system developed with General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
and BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
. Reports by Chrysler indicated a 25% gain in highway fuel economy and a 40% gain in the city.
Chrysler announced that the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid would have a starting MSRP
Suggested retail price
The manufacturer's suggested retail price , list price or recommended retail price of a product is the price which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sell the product. The intention was to help to standardise prices among locations...
of $45,570.
Total U.S. sales
| Calendar Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 28,788 |
| 2008 | 22,254 |
| 2009 | 5,996 |
Discontinuation
On October 23, 2008, Chrysler announced that the shutdown of the Newark AssemblyNewark Assembly
Newark Assembly was a Chrysler automobile factory in Newark, Delaware.-History:The factory opened in 1951 as a tank plant and was converted for the production of automobiles in 1957....
facility producing the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen would be moved up to the end of 2008, effectively ending production of the Aspen and Aspen Hybrid for the 2009 model year. Production ceased on December 19, 2008.