Ram 1500 will get hybrid, but diesel is iffy

Chrysler Group will produce a hybrid version of the Ram 1500 pickup, but it has not been determined whether the light truck will have a diesel engine or not. The automaker had previously said both options would be available in 2010.

The hybrid Ram will use the “two-mode” hybrid technology it developed in a partnership with BMW, Daimler and General Motors. GM has already introduced hybrid versions of several of its full-size pickups and SUVs and Chrysler produced hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango until those vehicles were cancelled. A two-mode hybrid system uses its battery power at low speeds and a conventional gasoline engine kicks when more power is needed for acceleration or heavier loads.

The larger Ram pickups have a diesel option and the majority of purchasers select it instead of the 5.7-liter V8. Diesels offer more torque, better fuel economy and require less maintenance than gasoline engines but are roughly twice as expensive. Buyers of large pickups tend to keep their vehicles longer and put more miles on them so the investment pays off over time. Scott Kunselman, Chrysler senior vice president of engineering, is concerned that people in the market for a light-duty pickup might not make the same value judgment.