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Chrysler Broadens Powertrain Offensive, to be US leader in dual-clutch gearboxes

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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 11:09 AM
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Default Chrysler Broadens Powertrain Offensive, to be US leader in dual-clutch gearboxes

Onslaught of New Initiatives to Result in Significantly Improved Fuel
Efficiency

CHELSEA, Mich., June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Mild-hybrid technology to debut in future Chrysler Group vehicle

- Chrysler two-mode hybrid program to expand

- 2009 Jeep(R) 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(R) 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

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(R) 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 nneeds 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(R) 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 six to eight 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 five 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-liter V-8's two spark plugs per cylinder (the only Chrysler Group
engine to do so, other than the 5.7-liter HEMI(R)), 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.



SOURCE Chrysler Group
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 05:09 PM
  #2  
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Looks like Cerberus is putting everything on the table. Competitors now know almost exactly what Chrysler will introduce in the future. Not a good move IMO. Better to surprise the competition than reveal all.
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 08:29 AM
  #3  
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Default Chrysler to be US leader in dual-clutch gearboxes

Chrysler to be US leader in dual-clutch gearboxes

Posted on Monday 2 July 2007


Chrysler and its joint-venture partner Getrag have built a $530 million gearbox plant in Indiana to build up to 700,000 dual-clutch transmissions per annum starting in 2009. Chrysler will be paying the 1,070 workers at the new plant, which will mean that it will have exclusive rights for every gearbox that comes off the production line.

Getrag is the owner of the dual-clutch technology, a design that not only improves acceleration but also saves fuel. The first Chrysler cars equipped with the new box should appear by 2010 reports Automotive News, and will be powered by the carmaker’s new Phoenix V6 engine. The gearbox could also replace the current CVT boxes used by some Chrysler models because of a price advantage.

The new dual-clutch gearbox will have six speeds, with a separate clutch to engage gears one, three and five, and another to link gears two, four and six. This design ensures that there’s no power interruption during acceleration, which promises fuel savings of about 6% over conventional transmissions.
via motorauthority
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