Chrysler's easy rider at pumps

Chrysler is on track to develop a car within the next three years that not only breaks the 2.8 litre/100km barrier (100 mpg) but will also be affordable.

With fuel prices at record levels, Chrysler says it would have a hit on its hands if it could put such a vehicle on the road today.

"We're already close to achieving our target fuel consumption figure, but we are still working on making such a car affordable and desirable," a Chrysler spokesman said.

Chrysler showed just how close it got to that goal with the recent unveiling of the Dodge ESX3 hybrid concept car - better known as "mybrid" for its mild hybrid use of a diesel engine and electric motor.

Most fuel-efficient cars have largely failed to fire the imagination of the public, but the four-seat EXS3, with its advanced styling and innovative features, has received glowing praise.

It's the third in a line of hybrid experimental vehicles from the Chrysler Group that stretches back to the ESX1 of 1996 and EXS2 of 1998.

Those early efforts did well in making a litre of fuel go a long way, but even with improved manufacturing techniques, the ESX2 would have cost $37,500 more than a comparable petrol-engined car.

The EXS1 would have cost $150,000 more.

With the EXS3 Chrysler has moved closer to its goal, by lowering the price difference to $18,700 and improving its fuel efficiency even further to an average of 3.9 litres/100km (72 mpg).

Its target is an average of 3.5 litres/100km (80 mpg) in all types of driving conditions, with 2.8 litres/100km for open-road cruising.

Chrysler has used as the source of power an advanced three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine and an electric traction engine, in combination with hi-tech lithium-ion batteries that are lighter and able to store more power than lead-acid batteries.

The diesel engine provides acceleration and top-end cruising power, leaving the electric motor for town use, which lowers emissions as well as fuel.

The body of the EXS3 is made entirely of plastic panels reinforced with aluminium, which reduces the overall weight of the car to 1020kg.

Reaction in the United States to the car has been positive. Chrysler says it could sell the EXS3 even at the $18,700 premium.