Chrysler hikes up gas mileage by 8% on 4-liter minivans

Chrysler modified the powertrain of the 4-liter Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan to achieve a landmark 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, which the company claims is unbeaten among minivans. The engine is assisted by a “minivan first” six-speed automatic transmission, and previously was rated at 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway.

The optimized 4-liter engine now produces 251 hp (189kW) and 259 lb.-ft. (350 N·m) of torque, the same as in 2008 but 11 hp over 2007 ratings. A re-tuned six-speed transmission and higher numerical first gear launches Chrysler and Dodge minivans more briskly than a comparable four- or five-speed transmission. The engine also provides smaller steps between ratios, which means the engine speed changes less with each shift, creating a smooth driving dynamic, with improved fuel economy. The end result is a fuel economy improvement to 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, or up to 8 percent when comparing the previous 2008 engine’s fuel economy of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

Chrysler and Dodge minivans command more than 40 percent of the U.S. minivan market segment.