News has been slow coming out of Chrysler ’s Auburn Hills headquarters, but tonight they have a myriad of news releases to share with you. Likely the most important is the unveiling of Chrysler’s powertrain strategy, including news on vehicle electrification in the near future for the automaker and its truck brand.
Chrysler has just announced the game plan for its powertrain to cover the next five years, and it says that the changes it has planned will result in a 25 percent increase in fuel economy by 2014. A large majority of the new technology that will enable Chrysler to make such a significant jump will come from its new partner, Fiat.
“Chrysler Group will attain leadership by rapidly applying Fiat Powertrain technologies, such as Multiair, direct injection, turbocharging and transmission systems to its powertrain portfolio,” said Paolo Ferrero, senior vice president, Chrysler powertrain. “By 2014 calendar year, more than 80 percent of Chrysler Group’s current powertrain lineup will undergo a complete makeover.”
Chrysler believes that it is a global leader in expertise for large displacement gasoline engines as well as vehicle electrification technology, and combined with Fiat, which it believes it a global leader in small displacement (1.8-liters and under) engines and diesel powertrains, they will combine efforts to become a global leader in powertrains of all types and sizes. Chrysler sees itself as being capable of achieving best-in-class fuel economy for both companies in the future by leveraging their combined strengths.
The future of small engines at Chrysler
One of the most significant, and first changes to occur on the front of increasing fuel-economy will be the introduction of new four-cylinder Fiat engines into the Chrysler lineup. The first two engines to work their way into the Chrysler lineup will be the 1.4-liter I-4 FIRE with Multiair engine and a turbocharged variant of the same engine. Fiat coined the term FIRE referring to “fully integrated robotized engine,” which describes the fully automated engine production process.
The 1.4-liter I-4 cylinder engines will feature 4 valves per cylinder and utilize fully variable-valve actuation, or FVVA, which is commonly known as Multiair. The Multiair technology helps to increase power by as much as 10 percent, increase torque by as much as 15 percent and reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 10 percent. The naturally aspirated engine is good for 100 horsepower and 95 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged variant receives a significant bump to 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.
Fiat will also be employing a 2.4-liter I4 engine for slightly larger vehicle applications, and reports it is capable of 190 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The 2.4-liter I-4 also features Fiat’s Multiair technology for added power and efficiency.
Chrysler gets a new six pack
When a four cylinder isn’t enough to get the job done, Chrysler will turn to its new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine for added power and performance. The most significant benefit of this new engine is that Chrysler will be eliminating six different V6 engines and switching to this single option – certainly providing production efficiencies and reducing costs for the automaker.
The new Pentastar is being touted as the most advanced V6 to ever come from the automaker, and boasts 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque to go along with it. Chrysler says that in addition to the added power, the new V6 will increase fuel-economy by an average of 8 percent when compared to its existing V6 engines. Although not being utilized at launch, Chrysler says that future Pentastar V6 engines will also make use of Mutiair technology and turbocharging for extra power and efficiency.
Chrysler changes the cogs, too
As many automakers have shown recently with switches from four-speed transmissions to six, seven and even eight speed offerings, Chrysler too is planning some changes to its transmissions. First up for the automaker will be the addition of a six-speed dual clutch transmission coming from Fiat, and due to land in d-segment Chrysler’s beginning in 2010. Chrysler says they will obtain a 10 percent fuel-economy gain from this change alone.
Chrysler did not release any new details on transmission changes for its smaller offerings, or larger trucks.
Chrysler goes electric
Chrysler has been essentially absent from the hybrid and electric sales and development races to date in the U.S., but the automaker says that it will soon offer a hybrid version of its Ram 1500 pickup in 2010. If true, Chrysler will join GM as the only automaker to offer a full-size truck with a hybrid powertrain in the U.S. to date. Chrysler did not have any details on performance or pricing at this time.
Chrysler did however mention that Chrysler may join Ford in the small van segment with an electric vehicle by 2012 if they can make the business case for its development.
