Chrysler has invested large sums of money over the years pursuing electric cars, but a lack of robust batteries is holding back the technology. Not to worry, say Chrysler engineers, who think they have struck on a unique diesel/ electric-motor drive-train that will enable the company's planned Intrepid ESX II achieve 70 miles per gallon in city-highway driving. To handle most of the work of propelling the 2,250-pound Intrepid ESX II, Chrysler is looking at a three-cylinder, direct-injection diesel engine that it is developing in cooperation with Detroit Diesel. This 1.5-liter engine gets another 20 horsepower of assistance, when needed, from an electric motor that's coupled to the drive-train transmission.
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