Chrysler Begins Production Of Pentastar V6 Engine

Chrysler has begun production of what it says is the most advanced V6 engine to ever be produced by the company, and one that should help the automaker rein back manufacturing costs.

The Pentastar V6 will replace a grand total of seven V6 engines in Chrysler's engineering stable, a move which will lead to greater manufacturing efficiency and lower costs.

Having the one standard motor shared amongst several models will simplify production lines and reduce tooling costs, both of which will save the struggling automaker a great deal of the folding stuff.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (below) will be the first Chrysler product to be fitted with the new 3.6 litre V6, which will produce 209kW and 353Nm in Jeep trim.

Double overhead cams with variable cam timing on the intake and exhaust help widen the powerband, and over 90 percent of torque is available from between 1600 and 6400rpm.

Intake and exhaust ports are larger to promote better engine breathing, and the 60 degree angle between cylinder banks gives the Pentastar compact dimensions.

The Pentastar's all-alloy block is both strong and light and the whole unit is designed to run on both ordinary petrol, or the E85 ethanol-petrol blend that's in wide use in North America.

Chrysler says its new engine family represents a US$730 million investment, with over 400,000 engines to be built each year at its plant in Trenton, Michigan.

Chrysler 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve Pentastar V-6 Technical Specifications

• Displacement: 3.6 litres
• Bore x stroke: 96 x 83 mm
• Valve train system: Double-overhead cam with roller finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. Dual independent cam-torque actuated phasers
• Fuel injection: Multi-point port fuel injection
• Construction: High-pressure die-cast aluminium cylinder block and semi-permanent mould aluminium cylinder head
• Maximum engine speed: 7200 rpm
• Fuel requirement: E85 (Ethanol) or unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2
• Emission capability: PZEV