Chrysler Group Broadens Powertrain Offensive
21 Juin 2007 - 6:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
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. DATASOURCE:
Chrysler Group CONTACT: Todd Goyer, +1-248-512-0041, cell,
+1-248-761-0805, , Heather May, +1-248-512-0364, cell,
+1-248-797-2289, , Nick Cappa, +1-248-512-4266, cell,
+1-248-202-8039, , all of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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