Chrysler
Group LLC Transforms
Powertrain Strategy
Auburn Hills, Mich.,
Jan 7, 2010 - Chrysler Group LLC is
revamping its powertrain lineup with technology that will contribute to
an overall fuel-efficiency improvement of more than 25 percent during
the 2010-2014 period.
As a result of
the new alliance with Fiat, the company’s five-year
business plan has an uncompromising powertrain offensive, including a
progressive vehicle electrification strategy.
“Chrysler Group
will attain leadership by rapidly applying Fiat
Powertrain technologies, such as Multiair, direct injection,
turbocharging and transmission systems to its powertrain portfolio,”
said Paolo Ferrero, Senior Vice President, Chrysler Powertrain. “By
2014 calendar year, more than 80 percent of Chrysler Group’s current
powertrain lineup will undergo a complete makeover.”
In order to
combine complementary strengths, Fiat Powertrain is the
global center of expertise for diesel technology and small displacement
gas engines (less than or equal to 1.8 liters). Chrysler Powertrain is
the global center of expertise for large displacement gasoline engines
and vehicle electrification technology. The primary goal is leveraging
combined powertrain and vehicle knowledge to achieve best-in-class fuel
economy for both companies.
New
Four-cylinder Engines
Four-cylinder engine
options are being expanded at Chrysler Group with
the introduction of Fiat Powertrain's 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder
Fully Integrated Robotized Engine (FIRE) featuring Multiair. In the
early 1970s, the use of robotics in assembly plants was not common. The
term “FIRE” came into existence when Fiat integrated the use of
robotics in the production process of manufacturing plants. Although
mechanized assembly is common today, the brand name FIRE has remained
with Fiat’s powertrain lineup.
Two variations
of the engine will be available, naturally aspirated and
turbo. Both versions of the 1.4-liter FIRE feature four valves per
cylinder and incorporate state-of-the-art technology for Fully
Variable-valve Actuation (FVVA), also known as Multiair. Fiat’s
Multiair technology significantly reduces emissions, while improving
fuel economy and power. This sophisticated electro-hydraulic
variable-valve actuation technology delivers an increase in power up to
10 percent, an improvement in low rpm torque up to 15 percent and a
reduction in fuel consumption and emissions up to 10 percent when
compared with similar engines without the technology. The Multiair
system is based on a series of Fiat Powertrain patents related to
hardware, combustion strategies and controls that allow for full
control of the lift and timing of engine valves, independently on each
cylinder and during each single engine stroke. Well suited for a small
car application, the first North American vehicle to feature the
1.4-liter FIRE with Multiair is the Fiat 500.
Specifications
1.4-liter
I-4 FIRE with Multiair
100 horsepower (75
kW) at 6,750 rpm
95 lb.-ft. (129
N•m) of torque at 4,250 rpm
1.4-liter I-4
FIRE Turbo with Multiair
170 horsepower
(128 kW) at 6,750 rpm
170 lb.-ft. (231
N•m) of torque at 3,000 rpm
Another addition
to the Chrysler Powertrain lineup is the new
2.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder World Gas Engine (WGE) with Multiair.
This new engine stands as an example of Chrysler Powertrain’s rapid
integration of Fiat technology. Chrysler Powertrain’s 2.4-liter WGE
features Fiat’s Multiair technology that will improve fuel economy and
specific-power output. In comparison with its predecessor, the
2.4-liter with Multiair delivers an increase in power, an improvement
in low rpm torque and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions
output. A turbo version of the 2.4-liter WGE also is under development
for future applications.
Specifications
2.4-liter
I-4 World Gas Engine with Multiair
190 horsepower (142
kW) at 6,000 rpm (estimated)
175 lb.-ft. (237
N•m) of torque at 4,200 rpm (estimated)
All-new
V-6 Pentastar Engine
Chrysler Powertrain
will streamline its V-6 gas engine offerings from
six options to the new fuel-efficient, state-of-the-art 3.6-liter V-6
Pentastar engine. The first application of this engine will be in the
all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, due out in the second quarter
this year. Chrysler Group’s all-new Pentastar V-6 is the most advanced
six-cylinder engine in the history of Chrysler, with an optimized
integration of select technologies that deliver refinement, fuel
efficiency and performance. The Pentastar delivers a fuel efficiency
improvement of up to 8 percent on average when compared with previous
Chrysler Group V-6 engines and delivers 90 percent of its available
torque from 1800-6400 rpm. In the all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand
Cherokee, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine offers an increase of 33
percent in horsepower and an 11 percent improvement in torque over its
predecessor. The Pentastar V-6 is designed to use technologies such as
Multiair, direct-injection and turbocharging for future applications.
Specifications
3.6-liter
V-6 Pentastar
280 horsepower (209
kW) at 6,400 rpm
260 lb.-ft. (353
N•m) of torque at 4,400 rpm
New
Transmission Technology
Beginning with
mid-size D-segment cars in 2010, Chrysler Powertrain
will migrate Fiat’s six-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) to
Chrysler Group vehicles. The DDCT delivers a 10 percent improvement in
fuel efficiency while enhancing performance. It transitions seamlessly
from economy to sport mode when desired and can handle up to 260 lb.-ft
of torque (350 N•m). The DDCT uses the best characteristics from both a
manual transmission and an automatic transmission. This combination
delivers the efficient performance of a locked gear mechanical path,
but maintains the drivability and comfort of an automatic transmission.
Vehicle
Electrification
In November 2009,
Chrysler Group revealed a new engineering
organization model showing the company as the center of competence for
vehicle electrification efforts for Chrysler Group and Fiat Group. The
resources previously spread in different electrification development
groups have been assigned to the powertrain and vehicle engineering
mainstream—a clear sign of how the Chrysler Group intends to move from
research and development to vehicle production.
As part of its
five-year plan, Chrysler Group currently is developing a
Ram 1500 with traditional hybrid capability for 2010. The company also
continues its plan with the Department of Energy to build a small test
fleet of plug-in hybrid Ram 1500 pickup trucks and minivans. Because
pure electric vehicles lend themselves to commercial applications,
Chrysler Group is considering a small electric delivery van application
for 2011-2012 with an appropriate business case.
The company has
a significant amount of resources allocated toward
vehicle electrification and affirms a commitment by continuing to add
talent in this leading-edge technology arena.
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