Autoblog

Chrysler to accelerate production of 2013 Ram and V6 engines

Chris Tutor — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:44:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram

Chrysler is adding a third shift at its Warren Truck plant to meet demand for the new 2013 Ram pickup. And with tight supplies of its Pentastar V6, the company is also boosting output at its Mack Engine plant.

The expansions will add 1,250 jobs and are part of a $238 million investment by Chrysler in the Detroit area. Warren's third shift will begin work sometime in the spring, a Chrysler rep told Automotive News. Mack's increased Pentastar production a could include both 3.6 and 3.2-liter engines.

The company says it also plans to invest $40 million in its Trenton Engine plant to allow for production of a 3.2-liter V6 as well as the Tigershark inline-four for the upcoming Jeep Liberty replacement.

Chrysler to accelerate production of 2013 Ram and V6 engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler considering $200M investment to boost Pentastar V6 production

George Kennedy — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram

The Pentastar V6 has been Chrysler's magic bullet as of late, combining solid power and impressive fuel efficiency. The do-all powerplant has found its way into a just about any Chrysler Group vehicle with an engine bay to accept it. Jeep and Journey alike have enjoyed the benefits of the dual-overhead cam 3.6-liter mill.

Chrysler is pondering an investment of $200 million into its Detroit Mack I facility to increase Pentastar production. Meanwhile, Chrysler plans to halt production of the aging 3.7-liter V6 at the Mack II facility. The 200 employees that were laid off by the idling of Mack II will be reemployed at other Chrysler Group facilities in the area.

According to the Automotive News report, if an agreement can be reached with the local government, the Mack I plant would switch over from producing the 4.7-liter V8 to the popular 3.6-liter Pentastar engine. Currently, the Pentastar is also produced in Trenton, Michigan, and Saltillo, Mexico.

If the proposal was approved, Chrysler will not only produce the 3.6-liter version of the Pentastar, but also intends on building variants with different displacements.

Chrysler canceled its usual summer shutdown, and the Trenton and Saltillo facilities have been working overtime to meet demand for the popular engine.

Chrysler considering $200M investment to boost Pentastar V6 production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Jeep Liberty to get shrunken Pentastar V6

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Jeep

The replacement for the aging Jeep Liberty is expected to debut at next January's Detroit Auto Show, and when it does, a brand-new Pentastar powertrain will reportedly be spinning underhood. According to Automotive News, Chrysler will offer a downsized 3.2-liter V6 in the Liberty mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF. The current Pentastar V6 displaces 3.6 liters and has been well-received by both critics and buyers in everything from the refreshed Dodge Journey to new Chrysler 300.

Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne reiterated to AN that efficient transmissions play a huge role in the development of engines. "If we had known the eight-speed was coming, we could have made the [3.6-liter] Pentastar a 3.2-liter," he said.

Currently, the Liberty is available with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6 that produces 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque backed by a four-speed automatic transmission. This new 3.2-liter/nine-speed combo will surely improve performance, not to mention overall efficiency, though specific power and fuel economy details are still up in the air at this time.

Next Jeep Liberty to get shrunken Pentastar V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge adds Avenger SE V6 trim for 2012

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Dodge

While the top brass gets their minds made up as to whether there will be a next-generation Dodge Avenger, the folks at Dodge have gone ahead and added a new top trim to the current model. The 2012 Dodge Avenger SE V6 gets the Pentastar V6 tuned to 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque mated to a six-speed automatic, along with 18-inch alloys, dual exhaust, and a rear spoiler.

This makes five trims for the Avenger line, with this model starting at $21,495 before destination. That puts it $2,500 over the current range topper, the Avenger SE, which starts at $18,995 and comes with a 173-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder shifting through an ancient four-speed auto. The four-cylinder SE is rated at 30 mpg highway, while the Pentastar engine only drops that a fraction to 29 mpg highway.

Stacked against the competitive set Dodge has in mind, like the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima, the current SE is in the ballpark regarding specs while being less expensive. With the SE V6 and six-speed tranny to update refinement and give it a 110-hp boost, Avenger sales - which are already up 112 percent this year - could rise even further. Follow the jump for the press release on the newest addition to the family.

Continue reading Dodge adds Avenger SE V6 trim for 2012

Dodge adds Avenger SE V6 trim for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just 18 months into production, Chrysler builds millionth Pentastar V6

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first home for Chrysler's Pentastar V6 engine. As you may recall, the powerplant was codenamed "Phoenix," and it was charged with replacing seven other engines in 11 models in the Chrysler and Dodge lineups. Along with it being a well-regarded piece of engineering, its sheer ubiquity goes a long way toward explaining how in just 18 months the Trenton, Michigan plant that produces it has cranked out a million of them.

The 3.6-liter V6 is rated from 283 horsepower up to 305 hp, and can be found under the hood of front-, rear- and four-wheel drive vehicles in varying transmissions. Another signal of how much Chrysler thinks of the Pentastar: after being finagled into the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, rumors last year suggested a twin-turbo version of it could go into the Maserati GranTurismo.

Follow the jump for Chrysler's press release on the seven-figure milestone of a lump voted one of Ward's "10 Best Engines."

Continue reading Just 18 months into production, Chrysler builds millionth Pentastar V6

Just 18 months into production, Chrysler builds millionth Pentastar V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ward's releases annual 10 Best Engines list

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Mazda

It's that time of year, folks. No, we're not referring to the oodles of time spent shopping for the holidays, we're talking about end-of-the-year lists. Kicking things off in the automotive spectrum is industry stalwart Ward's Auto, which has just released its annual 10 Best Engines list.

Without further ado, here are the award-winners for 2012:

3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi A6)
2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW Z4/528i)
3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i Coupe)
3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler 300/Jeep Wrangler)
2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Edge)
5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang Boss 302)
2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick Regal GS)
1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai Accent/Kia Soul)
2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda3)
3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)

It comes as little surprise that seven of the ten engines on the list feature the most recent advance in power and efficiency, namely direct injection, or that a full half of them are boosted with the addition of either a supercharger or a turbocharger. Perhaps more surprising is that there's only one hybrid powertrain on the list, and it's from Infiniti, not Toyota or Lexus.

In fact, there isn't a single engine from Honda or Toyota on 2011's edition of the 10 Best Engines, nor are the 1.4-liter/111kW electric motor package in the Chevrolet Volt or 80kW AC motor in the Nissan Leaf anywhere to be found - both of which were on the list in 2010. Also missing? A diesel... any diesel - and there certainly are a few options from the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen from which to choose.

Though its neither direct-injected nor turbocharged, the Pentastar V6 from Chrysler is surely worthy of inclusion, if for no other reason than its single-handed ability to transform any vehicle it's in from an also-ran to a competitive proposition.

We'll also give a shout-out to Ford, which earned two spots on the list but could seemingly have garnered another for the excellent 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine in the F-150 pickup. Ward's has plenty of commentary on why each engine was chosen, and you can read all about it right here. But first, have a look at each powerplant in our high-res image gallery.

Ward's releases annual 10 Best Engines list originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Jeep jimmied the Pentastar V6 into the 2012 Wrangler

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Technology, Jeep, Off-Road

We can quit wondering why it took so long for Jeep to drop the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 behind the round headlights of the 2012 Wrangler. According to Wards Auto, the engine had to undergo more than a few tweaks in order to be fit for duty in the trail-rated Wrangler. Engineers had to start by moving the alternator up and away from the middle of the engine to provide for greater water-fording capability. A new intake was also fitted to increase the kind of low-end torque buyers demand on the trail. Meanwhile, on-road civility was increased by changing the intake to draw from the engine's left side instead of its right along with a unique acoustic cover.

While those changes took a little research and development, they've obviously paid dividends in the Wrangler. Chrysler may apply a similar approach when the company moves to offer the 3.6-liter V6 in the Ram line soon.

How Jeep jimmied the Pentastar V6 into the 2012 Wrangler originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy figures improve

Zach Bowman — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

Chrysler has managed to squeeze a little extra fuel economy from the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the model now gets up to 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, good for 18 mpg combined when saddled with a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. That's a thirteen-percent improvement over the 2011 model's 15 mpg city and an 11 percent boost over the old bruiser's 19 mpg highway. Not surprisingly, the increases come from the fact that the Wrangler now boasts the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine.

The better fuel economy doesn't come at the cost of horsepower, either. In fact, the new V6 rocks 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The old 3.8-liter V6 was only good for a comparatively asthmatic 202 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of twist.

The four-door Wrangler Unlimited shown above has also benefited from the Pentastar engine - its fuel economy has increased to 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

2012 Jeep Wrangler fuel economy figures improve originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati getting twin-turbo Pentastar V6

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Chrysler, Maserati, Rumormill, Luxury

Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you aren't happy with a Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 under the hood of your Maserati, we'd keep that sentiment to yourself, less your brand be saddled with a somewhat less inspired powerplant in the near future. According to Inside Line, shadowy sources at the Italian automaker claim that in the near future, a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged Pentastar V6 (you know, from Chrysler) may replace the thirsty eight-pots.

Don't get us wrong. The Pentastar is a fine engine and it's done much for the entire Chrysler lineup, but converting the engine from its everyman roots into a fire breather capable of lighting the tires of a Maserati is something entirely different.

IL is also reporting that Ferrari is working on shying away from naturally aspirated engines. The Prancing Horse is supposedly hard at work on a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 good for 750 horsepower. That miracle mill is slated to power the next iteration of the company's FXX.

Maserati getting twin-turbo Pentastar V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

2011 Jeep Wrangler - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to The Toledo Blade, citing ordering guides sourced from Chrysler dealerships, the Jeep Wrangler will finally get the automaker's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 for the 2012 model year. Since 2007, the Wrangler has been fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine (which replaced the venerable 4.0-liter inline six) that has met with less than stellar reviews. The new engine may have been a foregone conclusion, but it's a welcome one nonetheless.

Equally as important is news that the Jurassic-age four-speed automatic will be replaced with a five-speed unit. That's nice and all... but why go with a five-speeder when six (or more) is the current standard?

In any case, the report claims that the 2012 Wrangler's powertrain will be identical to the units in the 2011 Grand Cherokee. That means we should expect 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Those are much-needed improvements of the old 3.8, which offered up 202 horses and 237 lb-ft. Fuel mileage will reportedly improve to 16 city, 23 highway from 15/19.

In other Jeep news, Allpar.com reports that the 2012 Grand Cherokee will get a six-speed automatic to replace the five-speed unit in the 2011 model. (Guess we know where those older gearboxes are headed, eh?) In a further bid to improve fuel economy, the Pentastar-equipped Grand Cherokee will also be getting electrically driven power steering in place of the current hydraulic unit.

More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spicier Dodge Avenger R/T returns for 2012

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Dodge

2012 Avenger R/T - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're looking for an Avenger with a little more bite, Dodge may have just the car for you. The company will unveil its new Avenger R/T at the 2011 New York Auto Show this week, and though the drivetrain has been left largely untouched, the mid-sized fighter now packs a tighter suspension.

Dodge engineers managed to increase the vehicle's roll stiffness by 18 percent thanks to upping the front spring rates by 17 percent and damper rates by 15 percent. Out back, the rear springs see an increase in stiffness of 12 percent while the back damper rates jump by 20 percent. The Avenger R/T also benefits from a larger rear stabilizer bar - 21 mm (up from 19 mm).

Dodge says it's shooting for a more spirited, performance sedan driving experience, though there's no indication that the vehicle's brakes have been upgraded in kind.

Power still comes from the same torque-steer happy 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 283 horsepower mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, so hopefully the firmer suspension has quelled the powertrain's wayward tendencies somewhat. Either way, Dodge says that the combo is good for 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Outside, the Avenger R/T is differentiated from its lower-trim siblings with aesthetic tweaks like a body-color grille and R/T graphics on the front fenders. Large, 19-inch alloy wheels are also standard and the interior gets a special gauge cluster with the tachometer taking center stage, along with a special perforated leather steering wheel and "SRT-inspired" pedals. Rounding off the changes are special fabric seats with embroidered logos. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Avenger R/T

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Spicier Dodge Avenger R/T returns for 2012

Spicier Dodge Avenger R/T returns for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep Wrangler to get Pentastar V6 power in 2012

Zach Bowman — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:34:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Jeep, Off-Road

2011 Jeep Wrangler - Click above for high-res image gallery

It looks like the Jeep Wrangler family will be the next Chrysler bloodline to benefit from the company's excellent new Pentastar V6. Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler CEO, broke the news during the company's third-quarter financial announcement. The new powerplant will likely pack somewhere between 283 and 305 horsepower depending on the tune, and will make for a substantial bump in grunt over the current 202-pony 3.8-liter V6 currently available in the Wrangler.

Still, it will be a good long while before buyers can sink their teeth into the new engine. Marchionne made it clear that the Pentastar won't be available under the Wrangler hood until the 2012 model year.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Wrangler

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Jeep Wrangler to get Pentastar V6 power in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll: 2011 Dodge Challenger V6 takes on Mustang, Camaro

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford

Dodge has big things headed our way for the 2011 model year, not the least of which is a thoroughly updated Challenger that seems to be much better equipped to go up against the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Up to this point, even those who loved the last generation's styling and optional Hemi engine had to admit that lower level models powered by the old 3.5-liter V6 engine were simply unable to match up against its lifelong mortal enemies from Chevrolet and Ford.

As we've come to find out straight from the ~~horse's~~ pony's mouth, Dodge intends to bring its base-model muscle car up to modern specifications courtesy of a brand spankin' new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. As a reminder, here's how the new V6 engine compares to the competitors' options:

	Base Price	Engine Size	Horsepower	Torque	MPG	Weight
Dodge Challenger	$23,245*	3.6 liters	305 @ 6350	268 @ 4800	N/A***	3819 lb*
Chevy Camaro	$22,680**	3.6 liters	312 @ 6400	278 @ 5200	17 / 28	3741 lb
Ford Mustang	$22,145**	3.7 liters	305 @ 6500	280 @ 4250	19 / 31	3453 lb

* 2010 model ** Plus destination *** Not yet rated

As you can see, the Dodge very nearly matches up with its main rivals on paper, with slight deficiencies in torque and overall weight, though we don't quite know what the 2011 model's final poundage figure will be. We're also unsure of the Challenger's pricing for the new model year, but we can't imagine it will go up too much from its current spot as it's already the priciest of the three competitors, albeit barely.

In any case, we have ourselves one obvious burning question to consider: Does the new V6 engine improve the Challenger enough in your eyes to go head-to-head with the best six-pot pony cars from The Blue Oval and the Golden Bowtie? Or, to put it another way for you Mopar fans, is the 2011 Challenger V6 Sublime or is Chrysler just plain Plum Crazy? Make your voice heard in our completely unscientific, informal poll below.

View Poll

Poll: 2011 Dodge Challenger V6 takes on Mustang, Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar gets into the vehicle tracking / parental tattletale business

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Safety, Technology, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Mopar, the motor parts division of Chrysler, has enjoyed a nice long run providing parts and accessories for the entire Pentastar family. Whether you own a muscle car or a muscular off-roader, the Mopar catalog has you covered. Now it's venturing into a new arena with the launch of the Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System, or EVTS.

A vehicle is not an inexpensive asset and it's smart to want to protect it. The EVTS allows you to do just that. There are three plans available - Base, Silver and Gold. Each offers an increasing level of protection and service. The Base plan features a GPS vehicle locator, real-time tracking if your vehicle is stolen and a $1,000 theft-protection warranty. Silver ups the ante by including text-based alerts for parents. If a set speed limit or distance cap is exceeded, the owner gets a text message ("OMG, Billy juz hit 107 mph! Hez gonna get spanked, LOL!!!"). In addition to the warning alerts, the Silver plan provides arrival and departure notices, a map of locations visited, an available 24/7 emergency service contact, automatic theft notification and an on-board panic button. The top-tier Gold plan has all of those features but adds unlimited online tracking and a concierge service. The concierge allows the owner to call for directions, make reservations and assistance for other personal queries.

The Mopar Electronic Vehicle Tracking System starts at $495, not including installation. The Silver and Gold plans require an additional yearly subscription priced at $149 and $249, respectively. Quite wisely, Mopar built the system to be transferable and upgradeable. Check out the press release after the jump for more details.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Mopar gets into the vehicle tracking / parental tattletale business

Mopar gets into the vehicle tracking / parental tattletale business originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler releases details, images of refreshed 2011 Town & Country

Zach Bowman — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Chrysler

2011 Chrysler Town & Country - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is continuing to hone the minivan that started it all - the Town & Country (okay, so it was the Plymouth Voyager and the Dodge Caravan, sue us). For 2011, buyers can look to find a slew of safety and technology treats on board, both in standard and optional trims. Every 2011 Town & Country will ship with tricks like blind spot and rear cross-path detection as part of what the company says is a 40-strong list of features designed to keep families as safe as can be. In a segment that's primary focus is shepherding herds of young ones around town, we're guessing that's going to be a strong selling point.

Of course, as important as safety is, it's also pretty boring. Fortunately, Chrysler has loaded up the new Town & Country with enough entertainment goodies to keep even the most spastic of rug rats sufficiently sedated. Buyers can opt for a dual-DVD system that can play separate media at the same time, SIRIUS backseat TV with plenty of children's programming or FLO TV with 20 channels of programming. There's also a raft of new instrument panel changes and softer touchpoints, along with a refined Stow 'n Go seating system. Road trips will never be the same.

For you lead-footed moms and dads late to soccer practice, under the hood, Chrysler has packed the company's new 283-horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which helps the six-pot net 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

Hit the jump for the press release and check out the gallery of exterior and interior changes below.

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler releases details, images of refreshed 2011 Town & Country

Chrysler releases details, images of refreshed 2011 Town & Country originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler plans eight-speed automatic production in Indiana [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Chrysler eight-speed automatic transmission - click above to watch the video

Chrysler has announced that it will begin fitting an eight-speed transmission to select models for the 2013 model year. The ZF Group-sourced slushbox will be built at Team Pentastar's Kokomo, Indiana transmission plant thanks to a $300 million investment by the parent company. That cash commitment secures the 1,200 jobs currently working at the plant.

Eight-speed transmissions provide considerable fuel economy improvements compared to an automatic with five or six forward speeds. Chrysler isn't divulging which products will receive the new transmission, but Wards speculates that the upcoming eight-speed tranny makes the most sense in Chrysler's rear-drive LX platform vehicles like the 300 and Charger. That makes sense to us considering the fact that Chrysler will need to improve fuel economy considerably to meet stringent new EPA standards of 35 miles per gallon by 2016.

Senior Powertrain VP Paolo Ferraro says that the new transmission "will offer our customers refinement and comfort while achieving greater fuel economy and performance." Chrysler plans to improve its overall fuel economy by 25 percent by 2014. For comparison's sake, the ZF-sourced eight-speed transmission used in the BMW 760i is said to improve the big Bimmer's fuel economy by six percent. Learn more by checking out the official video and press release after the jump.

[Sources: Chrysler, Wards Automotive]

Continue reading Chrysler plans eight-speed automatic production in Indiana [w/video]

Chrysler plans eight-speed automatic production in Indiana [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A new Chrysler needs a new logo, no?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Design/Style

Chrysler logos, past and present. Can we do better? - Click above for image gallery

What image enters your mind when you think about Chrysler? For us, it's the Pentastar logo. Perhaps that's because many of us Autobloggers are children of the '80s when the iconic five-pointed logo was unabashedly emblazoned on everything from minivans to Lasers to New Yorkers.

More recently, Chrysler has abandoned the Pentastar brand in favor of a couple of winged logos and a version of the brand's old golden-hued wax seal. These logos are much more modern than the Pentastar, but none of them are as memorable or anywhere close to being as well established as the admittedly dated Pentastar.

With a bankruptcy and new savior in the form of Italy's Fiat still fresh in our memories, perhaps now would be a good time to rethink Chrysler's brand positioning and corporate marketing materials. In fact, the automaker has already done just that, revealing the latest version of its winged logo late last year.

But is Chrysler going down the right path with its latest reinvention? Our colleagues at AOL Autos wondered if the brand might be able to do a bit better. To find out, AOL Autos commissioned three design firms to redesign the storied automaker's brand, and the results are as interesting as they are diverse. See for yourself in the image gallery below and be sure to check out the full article with background information and more images. So... got a favorite?

Gallery: Chrysler rebranding exercise

[Source: AOL Autos]

A new Chrysler needs a new logo, no? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, formerly known as "Phoenix"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine begins production - Click above for high-res image gallery

The ~~artist~~ engine formerly known as ~~Prince~~ Phoenix has officially hit the assembly lines at the Chrysler Group's plant in Trenton, Michigan. The first version of the mill, which now bears the Pentastar moniker, displaces 3.6 liters and will see its first production application in the engine bay of the brand new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Expect this all aluminum, 60-degree, dual-overhead cam (with variable valve timing) powerplant to see lots of use in the near-term future - Chrysler boasts that the Pentastar V6 will replace seven current V6 engines. In the new Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar will put out 280 horsepower (a 22-percent increase) at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque (an 11-percent improvement) at 4,800 rpm.

Just as importantly, Chrysler tells us that the new engine will be 11 percent more fuel efficient than the unit it replaces, and it will run on either regular 87-octane gasoline or E85. This family of engines represent a $730 million investment, and the 822,000-square-foot Trenton facility will be able to produce more than 400,000 engines per year. See the complete press release after the break.

Gallery: Chrysler Pentastar V6 enters production

Continue reading Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, formerly known as "Phoenix"

Chrysler kicks off production of Pentastar V6 engine, formerly known as "Phoenix" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Next Dodge Durango to be called Magnum

Chris Paukert — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge

According to an Autoblog source, Dodge will abandon the Durango nameplate for the model's replacement due for 2012. In place of that two-generation designator, Chrysler is exhuming the Magnum nameplate, a moniker used on the low-slung wagon built on Chrysler's LX platform up until 2008. The new Magnum is expected to be built atop the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee chassis (itself riding on Mercedes-Benz-derived architecture) and skew more toward the crossover segment than the previous rough-and-ready SUV.

Our source originally showed us a screen capture of a Pentastar service training software page on its Chrysler Academy Learning Center confirming the Magnum's existence (shown above), but at that time, he wasn't clear what the vehicle was. Since then, our man has learned through a Chrysler zone manager at a New York dealer's meeting that the line item in question is indeed the next Durango. A secondary source close to the situation confirmed to Autoblog that a name change for the new vehicle is in the cards and that Magnum is under serious consideration, but he was unclear as to whether a final decision had been made.

The Durango was introduced in 1998 and immediately found success riding the crest of the SUV boom. A second-generation debuted for 2004 and ran through the 2009 model year, but the larger redesigned model didn't meet with the same sort of success as its predecessor, struggling to deal with the collapse of the body-on-frame SUV market and increasingly plentiful crossover options.

It isn't immediately clear what the reasoning is behind Chrysler's apparent name change strategy, especially as the 2005-2008 Magnum itself wasn't considered much of a sales success (it was consistently outsold by its LX platform stablemates, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger). That said, with the model being more CUV-like than a body-on-frame bruiser, the change seems to make some sense. Further, Magnum remains a powerful nameplate, and the Pentastar has a long history of employing it for any number of different products, including a large B-platform coupe in the late 1970s, a range of engines, and a Mexican-market K-car model in the '80s. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Source: Next Dodge Durango to be called Magnum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger prototype bagged in testing

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Dodge

Speculation regarding the 2011 Dodge Charger has run rampant ever since a particularly intriguing picture was shown during Chrysler's major day-long, five-year business plan slideshow that was broadcast online. It was obvious that the car pictured was not a current Charger or a previous concept, so the natural conclusion is that it was an intentional teaser of an exciting new product.

Judging by this series of spy shots from Car and Driver, it would appear that some of the more radical styling elements previewed in Chrysler's presentation will make it to production on the 2011 Dodge Charger. Starting up front we, see a more rounded and prominent crosshair grille. We also note that the greenhouse appears more flowing with a sharply raked windshield.

Along the bodysides, it's apparent that the 2011 Charger will have very pronounced hips and shoulders with what appears to be a camouflaged accent directly behind the front wheel wells. At the very rear, the next Charger echoes the changes we saw up front with a smoother rear fascia and new tail light design. So, do you like what you see?

[Source: Car and Driver]

Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger prototype bagged in testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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