Chrysler has reported that its 2017MY Pacifica Hybrid minivan has exceeding its initial program targets during EPA testing, earning a fuel economy rating of 84 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe).
“At 84 MPGe, the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid surpasses our initially stated performance,” said Tim Kuniskis, FCA US LLC head of passenger car brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat. “These EPA test results paint a clear picture of the benefits our customers can expect from driving the most fuel-efficient minivan ever.”
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid also achieved a total driving range rating of 566 miles, and set the electric-only range rating at 33 miles, up from 30. In addition, the EPA gave the all-new minivan a rating of 10 in its Green Vehicle Guide. The score relates to a vehicle’s combined performance on fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions.
“A large share of credit goes to the vehicle’s e-Flite dual-motor electrically variable transmission (EVT),” added Bob Lee, FCA’s head of engine, powertrain and electrified propulsion, and systems engineering in North America. “It is exceptionally well-suited to deliver the primary attributes we sought to infuse in the Pacifica Hybrid’s propulsion system – class-leading efficiency and superior refinement.”
The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid uses a one-way clutch that allows the e-motor to deliver torque to the wheels, depending on driving conditions, resulting in increased efficiency, refinement and improved component packaging.
The Pacifica Hybrid’s 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located under the second-row floor, keeping the rear cargo area as roomy as ever and preserving the third-row Stow ‘n Go seating and storage, plus room for seven passengers. Recharging can take as little as two hours using a 240-volt (Level 2) charger, available from Mopar through dealers.
When the battery’s energy is depleted to a certain threshold, the Pacifica Hybrid becomes a part-time electric vehicle, like a conventional hybrid, to maximize energy and efficiency. Power to the wheels is supplied by the electric drive system or supplemented by a Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, operating on the Atkinson combustion-cycle.