Rumors of General Motors’s acquisition of Chrysler popped up all over the news wire earlier this month, without a whole lot in the form of cold hard facts to back up the claim. But as the rumored October 31st deadline quickly approaches for the Detroit tie-up, new evidence has come to light that seems to support the Michigan merger.
Chrysler had been working on a new range of world-class V6 engines – dubbed Phoenix – but the Michigan automaker has suddenly put the brakes on the project, according to Allpar. The new Phoenix engines were slated to feature variable-valve technology, direct-injection system and cylinder deactivation – all traits that would have pushed the Phoenix family of engines to the forefront of engine technology and fuel-economy.
Just last week, Chrysler cancelled its contract with Getrag to supply Chrysler’s North American operation with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, which would have been a major milestone for Chrysler.
The cancellation of both projects leads to just one question: Why? Although there is no official word from Chrysler, it would seem the most logical answer would be that Cerberus – Chrysler’s parent company – is preparing to sell Chrysler to GM.
GM already has a solid direct-injection V6, which would make Chrysler’s Phoenix engine range redundant after the merger. GM has also just finished developing a new six-speed automatic transmission, making Getrag’s system less than necessary. Although nothing is final, it appears as though the Big Three will soon become the Big Two.
