Future of Dodge Hybridization Bolstered by New Transmission Deal

FCA has contracted with manufacturer ZF to buy a large number of next generation 8HP transmissions, likely for Dodge vehicles.

It is no secret that FCA isn’t as active in the world of electrification as many other automakers, with the popular Dodge brand being without a hybrid since the second generation of the Durango. Lately, the company has introduced a few solid hybrid models including the Chrysler Pacifica, the Ram 1500 and the Jeep JL Wrangler, but there have been talks of the Charger and Challenger receiving hybrid models in the not-so-distant future.

The future of Dodge hybridization came a bit more into focus with the recently announced contract with ZF, the same German company that provides the transmissions for many current Dodge, Ram, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles. Under this new contract, FCA has made plans to order a large number of the next generation 8HP transmission and one of the key differences between the current 8HP transmissions and the next generation is that the upcoming units are designed to work with a hybrid assist motor.

In other words, FCA has made plans to buy a bunch of hybrid-friendly transmissions for rear-wheel-drive-based vehicles. This will likely include the Dodge Charger and Challenger, along with the Chrysler 300 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Dodge Hybrid Plans

While the majority of Dodge enthusiasts love the brand based on its high performance history, there is no question that in the modern automotive world, you need to offer hybrid-electric models. These fuel-friendly packages help improve the brand’s overall fleet fuel economy number, allowing for powerful models like the Hellcats.

In most cases, rear-drive hybrid vehicles integrate the electric assist by attaching a small motor to the transmission. That small motor drives the transmission at low points in the gasoline engine’s torque curve, or when the engine isn’t running at all. The “problem” for Dodge is that the ZF 8HP transmissions in the Challenger and Charger was not designed for hybrid integration, so there was no way for the engineers to use the typical electric motor setup.

As you may know, the new Ram 1500 features FCA’s eTorque hybrid system, but because the new half-ton uses a similar 8HP transmission to the unit in the Dodge cars, the engineers developed a system that assists from the front of the engine. Rather than supplying power directly to the transmission, the eTorque system applies that power to the front of the crankshaft, which in turns powers the transmission.

When FCA execs began talking about hybridization of the Challenger and Charger, many people assumed that they would use the eTorque system as well, but with this new deal with ZF, it appears as though the Dodge cars along with the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee will use a more traditional system with the electric motor mounted on the transmission.

Don’t Hate It Yet

Many people are irate at the idea of a hybrid Challenger or Charger, but we suggest that critics be patient before jumping ship. Just because Dodge may offer a hybrid package for the Challenger or Charger doesn’t mean that there won’t also be powerful V8 engines. In fact, we could very well see hybrid-assisted Hemi engines that offer the same performance with improved fuel economy. More importantly, by introducing hybrid drivetrains and improving the company’s fleet fuel economy numbers, they create “space” in the lineup for less-efficient, high performance models.

In short, if you love high performance models and you want to see them being offered in the future, then you need to embrace the fuel-friendly cars that other people are buying. FCA needs to improve their overall fleet fuel economy numbers to keep engines like the Hellcat in the lineup, so more hybrids technically lead to more performance offerings.

Years Away

Whether you love or hate the idea of a hybridized Dodge Challenger or Charger, you won’t have to deal with them right away. The next generation 8HP transmission is expected to come to market in 2022, so we are still a few years away from ZF having the gearbox ready.

Based on that timing, we would guess that the hybrid version of the Challenger or Charger would come with the expected arrival of the next generation, also in the 2022-2023 range.

Photos: ZF, Fiat-Chrysler

Join the Dodge Forums now!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

Facebook   Twitter