Chrysler: Phoenix V6 engine program still alive
Yesterday, the Rumormill spewed out more bad news for Chrysler: the $3 billion project to design the new "Phoenix" V6 was all but dead. But vice chairman Jim Press says it isn't so.Press told reporters that the program was moving "full speed ahead" and that prototypes are out in the wild as we speak. There is little doubt that Chrysler needs more efficient V6 engines that can compete with the competition, particularly after spending time with the Dodgeler/VW minivan.
We noted yesterday that either GM or Renault/Nissan already have modern V6 engines, and spending $3 billion to produce something that is just as good or marginally better doesn't sound like a solid plan. And while we believe Press when he says that Phoenix is still on, if a merger happens any time soon, we're guessing future owners won't be interested in investing billions in Chrysler engine programs, unless much of the $3 billion has already been paid for.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kevin 2:39PM (10/23/2008)
After the merger, they should drop this boat anchor into the Solstice and call it the Corvette-CAFE edition.
It 'll be the best selling car since the K-car.
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Gabagool 2:40PM (10/23/2008)
Why not use someone else's engines? I know Lotus uses Toyota's, and that VW Minivan has Chrysler's engine, so why can't Chrysler buy VW Diesel or any other good gas engine?
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Jj 2:52PM (10/23/2008)
Anyone they puchased engines from would need to have A LOT of extra capacity at make the engine at their plant. Not to mention that the very cars Chrysler would be putting thier engines in would most likey be competing with their own model.
Jason 4:14PM (10/23/2008)
The VeeDub minivan has a Chrysler engine because it's a Chrysler minivan with a VeeDub emblem on it.
300Kid 4:40PM (10/23/2008)
That's actually a very good question. They've done it before with VW (remember the Dodge Omni, etc?) why not now? They're also in bed with Nissan so why not get a small engine from them, something below the 2.4?
Or maybe all those plans are/were in the works until all this other sh*t got in the way? Who knows....The other thing to remember about Phoenix is the (reported) plans for Daimler to utilize them as well. So they have an interest in keeping the program alive too, especially if they already threw money at it.
TJ 5:16PM (10/23/2008)
did you actually just state that the Omni was a VW?
Jj 5:51PM (10/23/2008)
The car wasn't, but Chrysler did buy short blocks from VW for early Omni/Horizon's.
Glenn 2:42AM (10/24/2008)
Dating back to the time when the VW Rabbit was out and Chrysler made the Omni-Horizon cars -- Chrysler cars have had close ties to VW engines.
Though I am not aware of exactly why this was -- except perhaps appreciation for VW being a world class leader in car design, or something along those lines.
I know that Chrysler had paid so close attention to the Rabbit, that VW engines would fit in the Omni-Horizon cars very nicely, and would match up to the Chrysler transmission even.
Even today, almost all of the Chrysler vehicles would accept the VW diesel engine -- and in fact do outside of North America.
300Kid 10:35AM (10/24/2008)
TJ,
I never said the Omni "was a VW" but that it had a VW engine, at least for a short time. The original comment was about engines and that's what I was referring to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Omni
TJ 2:43PM (10/23/2008)
"We noted yesterday that either GM or Renault/Nissan already have modern V6 engines, and spending $3 billion to produce something that is just as good or marginally better doesn't sound like a solid plan."
Have you read anything about these engines? For those that haven't:
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/phoenix-engines.html
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Franz 2:47PM (10/23/2008)
It's dead, it's alive.... make up your minds Chrysler! LOL
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Frylock350 2:54PM (10/23/2008)
Its was just a rumor. Chrysler just chimed in to deny it.
Purifoy 2:48PM (10/23/2008)
This is good news.
Hang in there Chrysler!
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carlbolt 2:56PM (10/23/2008)
weird layout for the belt drive. Why the alternator is so apart from the rest of stuff. the belt on each side of alt pulley may touch when it vibrates .
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TJ 3:01PM (10/23/2008)
That is not the phoenix... that engine has not been seen/previewed yet. That looks like an older 3.3 or a current 3.5
daniel 4:21PM (10/23/2008)
The alt is usually on top to make it easy to replace. Serpentine belts stay in place and if it's designed properly there will be enough clearance.
Ricky 3:01PM (10/23/2008)
Chrysler does use VW TDi engines in the small jeeps, but they are only allowed in Europe. Something that good by far isn't allowed here!! That would be smart!!
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Liquid 3:13PM (10/23/2008)
\quote\ unless much of the $3 billion has already been paid for. /quote/
Paid for? How? In my line of work the product doesn't get "paid for" until customers buy them.
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Frylock350 3:58PM (10/23/2008)
The intended meaning was probably that most of the funds may have already been invested.
Bill 5:41PM (10/23/2008)
I guess I just can't wrap my mind around the scale of the money being spent. 3 billion dollars? With a "B"? How in god's name can you spend that much money on an engine? I mean you've already got to be pretty good at building engines by now. Right? What does 3 billion dollars buy you? Design, factories, raw resources and the personnel to run the plant for the next 10,000 years.
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