Phoenix Engines: Chrysler V6 Engines for 2010 and Beyond
At least one observer said that the Phoenix engines — currently V6 — were at least a generation ahead of anything currently available. The Phoenix engine project is alive and is expected to survive any merger or takeover.
On December 3, 2008, Chrysler confirmed that the Phoenix engine plants in Trenton and Saltillo, Mexico will be the only sources of the Phoenix engine. Early production is scheduled for summer 2009 with “real” production starting in late 2009.
This report came on November 3, 2008:
A supplier (identity confirmed) reported on Chrysler’s upcoming Phoenix V6 engines, saying that they would be certain to survive any takeovers or mergers. “They’re good on mileage and power, and they’re very quiet,” said the supplier.
According to Chrysler presentations, even the most powerful Phoenix, displacing 3.6 liters and producing (in preliminary tests) over 280 horsepower, is quieter than Toyota’s 3.3 liter V6 - and far quieter than the Toyota 3.5 liter V6. Gas mileage is said to be good, partly due to the use of high-pressure, die-cast blocks, which save on labor and allow for thinner walls and less use of aluminum. These blocks are 20 pounds lighter than General Motors‘ V6 blocks, saving around $40 per engine on aluminum alone; an independent firm estimated that these engines are at least $300 cheaper to build than GM’s current V6 line, increasing the odds of its survival of a GM merger or takeover.
Chrysler wrote that: “The new Phoenix of V-6 engines will feature cylinder deactivation (MDS)...the engine will operate efficiently on three cylinders when less power is needed, and in V-6 mode when more power is needed. This optimizes fuel economy when V-6 power is not required – without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.
“The new family of V-6 engines will feature an aluminum die cast block, dual variable valve timing (VVT) and a two-stage oil pump, among other technologies. The end result is an expected across-the-board V-6 fuel efficiency improvement of six to eight percent – in addition to new levels of V-6 power, performance and refinement.” Allpar note: the key words here are both performance and refinement!
As of July 2007, the engine was still reportedly in early-development status, but was feature-complete; ongoing work dealt with tuning, calibration, and emissions. We are certain that direct injection will be used in at least one of the Phoenix engines.
The following table was first provided in July 2006 with information from oh20, in a form not dissimilar from its current state; he updated the chart at the end of November 2008 to the following. All engines have variable valve timing unless otherwise noted.
| Size | Line | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 V6 | Base |
Export models (four different varieties are apparently planned though volume will probably be low) |
| 3.3 V6 | VVT | Sebring, Avenger, Minivans |
| 3.3 V6 | Direct Injection | Challenger, Charger, Minivans, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Aspen |
| 3.3 V6 | DI/HEV | Sebring, Avenger, 300, Minivans |
| 3.3 V6 | MDS | Sebring, Avenger, Minivans |
| 3.6 V6 | VVT | Multiple models |
| 3.6 V6 | Direct Injection | Ram, Wrangler |
| 3.6 V6 | MDS | Challenger, Charger, 300, Minivans, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Aspen |
| 3.6 V6 | HEV | Minivans |
| 3.6 V6 | PZEV | Sebring, Avenger, Minivans |
| 4.0 V6 | Base (no VVT) | marine use |
| 4.0 V6 | Premium, MDS, no VVT | marine use |
| 4.7 V8 | VVT | Ram, Charger, 300, Dakota, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Aspen |
“Oil pan for a Phoenix Engine from Chrysler had some very odd oil diverters...nothing I've seen before.”
Chrysler has announced details, including the investment in plants ($2 billion, not including engineering of the engines themselves) and the fact that Mercedes will share the basic engine architecture. The Phoenix engines, long discussed on Allpar's news and rumors forum, will be made in Mexico, Kenosha (Wisconsin), and Trenton (Michigan), with parts machined in Toledo, Ohio, as well as in Germany for Mercedes. Allpar at least is happy that development of these engines appears to be centered in the US though no doubt Mercedes will get most of the credit for their success.
The old Trenton Engine plant will close in 2014; the new Trenton Engine plant will open in time for the 2010 model year.
At the latest, the current V6 engines (dating back to around 1990) will be phased out in 2013, except for the 3.8 and 4.0 V6, which should finished by 2014.
Dieter Zetsche said the new engine family would operate on a modular base. The world's best V6 engines were benchmarked; and Mercedes has a camless design that may be integrated into Auburn Hills’ work. The engines will be built on flexible assembly lines that will allow the mix to be changed quickly and easily. Plants will have job rules that include 10 hour four-day work weeks and two job classifications.
The Phoenix engines were first discussed by "superduckie" way back in March 2006. oh20 (who has been accurate on the Ram, Challenger, Caliber, and Sebring) provided a table of the engines and cars they’d go into back in July 2006.
Production details, from Tom LaSorda
- An investment of $730 million for a new plant in Trenton, Mich., to produce the "Phoenix" family of V-6 engines. The new Trenton plant, located adjacent to the existing Trenton Engine Plant, will have an annual capacity of 440,000 engines and is expected to begin production in 2009. The Phoenix family of engines is the first of these initiatives that will go into production. In the long term, the Phoenix engines will replace the current four V-6 engines.
- An investment of $700 million to build a new axle plant in Marysville, Mich. The facility will create a new family of axles that provide better fuel economy. In addition, the common axle family will enable the company to consolidate the number of axles for better economies of scale. This plant will be run by ZF.
