Onslaught of New Initiatives to Result in Significantly
Improved Fuel Efficiency
- Mild-hybrid technology to debut in future Chrysler Group
vehicle
- Chrysler two-mode hybrid program to expand
- 2009 Jeep® Grand Cherokee BLUETEC: another 50-state clean
diesel from Chrysler Group
- Company to explore development of 4-cylinder diesel for North
American market, and expansion of 3.0-liter V-6 diesel
- New V-6 family of engines to include Multi-displacement
System (MDS), resulting in fuel economy gain of 6 to 8 percent
- Significantly upgraded 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8
- New 4.7-liter V-8 delivers 5-percent fuel economy improvement
- Dual-clutch transmission to result in fuel economy
improvement of up to 6 percent
- Common axle program to improve fuel economy, axle efficiency
and costs
- Weight reduction, aerodynamic and drivetrain improvements to
raise fuel economy 5 percent
Chelsea, Mich -
Chrysler Group’s Powertrain Offensive took a major leap
forward today when Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development,
announced a barrage of new initiatives targeted solely at improving the fuel
efficiency of future Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles.
Among the fuel-efficient initiatives are a commitment to
developing mild-hybrid technology and expanding the company’s two-mode hybrid
program; new six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines — including
cylinder-deactivation in a V-6; dual-clutch transmission technology; a common
axle program; weight reduction, aerodynamic and drivetrain initiatives; and
another BLUETEC clean-diesel vehicle.
Additionally, the company announced it is exploring the
development of a 4-cylinder diesel engine for the North American market, and the
expansion of its 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine.
“Chrysler Group is focused directly on improving fuel
efficiency across our vehicle lineup,” Klegon said. “We have developed and are
implementing a series of major initiatives — including a bigger push in hybrid
and clean-diesel technology — to meet the needs of American consumers.
“Many of these fuel-efficiency initiatives will be
incorporated simultaneously into a single vehicle family — our new V-6 with
Multi-displacement System (MDS) mated to a dual-clutch transmission, for example
— ultimately resulting in double-digit-percentage fuel-economy gains.”
Mild Hybrid
Within the next few years, Chrysler will offer a mild-hybrid
powertrain in a Chrysler Group vehicle.
Mild-hybrid vehicles provide many of the benefits of hybrid
technology, with less of the cost/weight penalty that is incurred by installing
a full hybrid drivetrain. Mild hybrids allow the vehicle’s engine to be turned
off at stops. Regenerative braking stores energy that would normally be lost.
Accessories can continue to run on electrical power while the engine is off. An
electric motor assist results in significant fuel efficiency gains.
Two-mode Hybrid
Chrysler Group announced today that its two-mode hybrid
program will expand beyond the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid,
which debut next year.
Chrysler Group’s two-mode hybrid system leapfrogs current
technology by addressing inefficiencies that exist in high-speed driving with
traditional hybrid technology. The result will be a 25-percent improvement in
fuel efficiency overall — and nearly 40 percent in the city — in the Chrysler
Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid.
The new Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrid vehicles can
be powered either by the electric motor or by the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine
with MDS — or a combination of the two. When full power is needed, the system
automatically adjusts for passing, driving steep grades or hauling a trailer.
The result is trend-setting hybrid technology that provides superior fuel
economy, performance and load-carrying capability.
Another BLUETEC 50-state Clean-diesel Vehicle
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee will join the 2007 Dodge Ram
Heavy Duty as Chrysler Group’s 50-state, clean-diesel BLUETEC vehicles.
BLUETEC brings together a host of technologies for diesel
passenger vehicles, beginning with completely modern, efficient diesel engines
and a focus on “denoxing” to reduce nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases. The
result is clean-diesel technology in vehicles that meet 50-state emissions
standards for 2010.
Future Diesel Considerations
Chrysler Group announced today that it is exploring additional
penetration of its 3.0-liter V-6 common-rail diesel (CRD) engine — currently in
the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee — and the possibility of a four-cylinder diesel
engine for the North American market.
The company’s current diesel lineup includes Dodge Sprinter,
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram Heavy Duty.
Earlier this year, Chrysler Group announced that an all-new
Cummins turbodiesel engine will be available in light-duty pickup trucks after
2009. Along with generous power and low-end torque, the new engine will provide
up to 30-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 20-percent reduction in
CO2 emissions compared to an equivalent gasoline engine.
V-6 Engine Family With Cylinder Deactivation
In February, Chrysler Group announced that an all-new family
of engines — known as “Phoenix” — will join the Chrysler Group lineup in 2010.
Since then, the company has broken ground on new plants in Trenton, Mich.,
Kenosha, Wis., and Mexico — all of which will produce this family of engines.
The company announced today that this new family of V-6
engines will feature cylinder deactivation (MDS). Specifically, this means 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 6 to 8 percent — in addition to new levels of V-6
power, performance and refinement.
Significantly Upgraded 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
For 2009, Chrysler Group will deliver a significantly upgraded
version of its renowned 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, resulting in notable gains in fuel
efficiency, refinement, power and torque.
New 4.7-liter V-8
The new 4.7-liter V-8 offers up to 5 percent better fuel
economy than the previous 4.7-liter engine.
At the same time, this E85 flex-fuel engine delivers increased
performance and improved refinement. These improvements come from the 4.7-lter
V-8’s two spark plugs per cylinder (the only Chrysler Group engine to do so,
other than the 5.7-liter HEMI), increased compression ratio, improved
cylinder-head port flow and new combustion system.
In addition to improved fuel economy, the result is a
30-percent increase in horsepower and a 10-percent increase in torque (up to 75
additional horsepower and 35 more lb.-ft. of torque, depending on application)
compared with the previous 4.7-liter V-8 engine.
Dual-clutch Transmission Technology
A new dual-clutch transmission — developed in partnership with
Getrag — joins the Chrysler Group lineup in significant volumes in 2010
model-year vehicles.
The new dual-clutch transmission is expected to deliver a fuel
economy improvement of up to six percent, based on preliminary testing.
The new transmission is equipped with two independent
lay-shaft style gear sets with separate clutches, using manual
transmission-based components. During shifts, the next gear is anticipated and
pre-selected. Then one clutch is opened while the other is closed, allowing
shifting without torque interruption. The result is quicker acceleration and
refined shift quality.
Common Axle Program
New common axle technology will result in fuel-economy and
axle-efficiency gains, while providing weight savings, cost reduction, increased
refinement and less complexity. New advanced materials increase overall axle
strength and reduce package size.
Already featured in the Chrysler 300C SRT8, this axle will
soon move to other Chrysler Group vehicles.
Aerodynamic, weight reduction and drivetrain improvements
Chrysler Group announced today that a new set of initiatives are in place to
improve fuel efficiency across its vehicle lineup by at least five percent.
These initiatives include weight reduction, aerodynamic drag improvements,
reduced rolling resistance and brake drag, optimized accessory loads, and
minimized drivetrain losses.
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