Upcoming Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep Powertrain: Engines and Transmissions

Eight speed and nine speed automatics

ZF and Chrysler worked together on a sophisticated eight speed automatic transmission for rear wheel drive cars and trucks, with a torque rating of 650 pound-feet. It uses several planetary gearsets, each of which may cost about as much as a light duty transmission. A nine speed ZF is planned for 2013 for front wheel drive cars, crossovers, and minivans.

Both ZF transmissions are designed to be used with transfer cases for 4x4 or all wheel drive, with stop-start systems, and with hybrid setups. Both have shift times below the limit of human perception, so that shifting can take place extremely rapidly, going up a few gears in the time a normal transmission would take for part of a single shift; the large number of gears and quick shifting will raise gas mileage and responsiveness, and can allow engine tuners to optimize more for particular rpms.

Stop-start systems are expected for the 2013 Ram. It might show up in that model year in one additional vehicle that currently gets lower than desirable gas mileage (due to its class, not its efficiency.)

Chrysler is buying the eight speed transmission from ZF while ITP (Kokomo) tools up to build it starting in [probably model year] 2014 (at a cost of $300 million). The transmission is also sold to BMW and Audi. The Fiat dual-clutch will also be used on select models. Transmissions.

Pentastar V6 engines (Phoenix)

Pentastar V6 engines (née Phoenix). Coming up are a higher-mileage (lower internal friction) 3.2 powerplant, a supercharged 3.2, and possibly MultiAir, direct injection, and possibly (they were once certain) turbo and twin turbo 3-liter engines. The turbo 3.0 might have been transferred to Ferrari. A 4.8 liter V8 was rumored back in 2006, and may yet appear but not until 2014 at best. Since Tiger Shark (see below) was made a priority, Pentastar development has slowed somewhat.

MultiAir

MultiAir is a valve control system providing separate valve timing and lift for each cylinder using solenoids and oil. It will be used on all Chrysler four cylinder gasoline engines, and possibly diesels and the V6 line. MultiAir improves low end torque and gas mileage. (MultiAir on the Hemi.)

World Engines (four cylinders): Tiger Shark

MultiAir, direct injection, and turbocharging will be added to the World Gas Engines. The Tiger Shark version of the 2.4 liter “WGE” is still set to be upgraded to an estimated 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm; gas mileage is to rise, as well [the Dart’s 184 hp might be for an early version or for compacts only].

Tiger Shark will cost more to make than the standard (inexpensive) WGE and includes revised VVT tuning (sacrificing top end for better overall performance and economy) — MultiAir on some versions —roller cams, and swapping intake and exhaust positions.

Other gas engines

The 4.7 liter V8 will probably be dropped; word has it the dealers want it around so they can give “discounts” by adding a “free Hemi” (the Hemi reportedly costs less to build).

Expect a 6.2 liter supercharged Hemi engine, but not for a few years. Word is that development has just begun on this new powerplant, which we expect to produce anywhere from 490 to 550 horsepower. The smaller size is almost certainly due to a reduced stroke.

Chrysler is building Fiat's 1.4 liter FIRE engine; it generates 100 hp at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm but a turbocharged version produces 170 hp @ 6,750 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The 1.4 has a remarkably flat torque curve which gives it much better gradability and driveability than one would expect.

Speculation that the upcoming Alfa 1.8 will be based on the WGE is incorrect, according to Allpar member RVC. “I just got word from a reliable source that the new Alfa Romeo engine being developed at Pratola Serra is not derived from the WGE at all. It is a new design, starting from the Alfa Romeo 1750, with a redesigned block, cast in aluminium.”

Diesels

The Cummins straight-six diesel is still planned for future Rams; power was boosted to 800 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic once said to be slated for this engine is a while off, if it's still in the cards at all, given the Cummins’ high torque. For 2013, gas mileage is said to go up around 5% due to internal changes.

VM Motori, now 50% owned by Fiat Powertrain, dominates Chrysler/Jeep in Europe. A Fiat diesel is reportedly being tested by Siemens for US certification in the 2012 Wrangler, and a VM or Fiat diesel is definitely going into Grand Cherokee.

Cummins created new V-type diesels and they work in the Ram 1500, but so far no word for Dodge; Nissan however is using one. The V8 diesel should get around 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway in the Ram 1500, producing over 250 horsepower and around 440 lb-ft of torque. It redlines at over 5,000 rpm, is quiet as a gasoline engine, and should appear around 2013-2014. The fate of the 4.2 liter Cummins V6 (190 hp, over 400 lb-ft) is unknown.

In January 2011, Sergio Marchionne said: “Do I want a future [for diesel light duty Rams]? Do we have the technology to get it done? Absolutely, yes. Do we have the engines to get it done? Absolutely, yes. Is there a market at this time? I don’t know. We can do it all, we have the engines, we have the know-how... and we’d love to do it, but the question is, will it sell? ...”

Hybrid cars, electric cars

The Ram 1500 hybrid has changed to a limited production plug-in Ram hybrid; a hybrid minivan may still be made. Other cars may use Fiat's start-stop system which shuts off the engine when the car is stopped. Chrysler will be Fiat’s headquarters for electric and hybrid car development, with an electric Fiat 500 to be first. Some projects are likely to be held until 2016 as the company works on regaining its market share. CNG might be added as well (Chrysler has made CNG vehicles before).

Automatically operated manual transmission (dual-clutch)

Chrysler will get Fiat’s automatically operated, dual-clutch manual transmission. Two Chrysler-engineered dual-clutch transmissions — a seven-speed, rear wheel drive version and a six-speed, front wheel drive version — may be integrated into the Fiat designs or dropped. The factory created by Getrag to produce them has been sold to a company making solar panels, but that does not mean the transmission itself is dead, just the joint venture.