Chrysler Powertrain Plans For Next Five Years Revealed

CHRYSLER US HAS today revealed details of its engine plans for the next five years. This follows a presentation on its future delivered to the US press late last year.

Featuring technologies sourced both from new partner Fiat and from within Chrysler, the American carmaker says its new engine range will see a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy by 2014.

According to Chrysler, its expertise in larger engines will combine with Fiat's small engine know-how to turn the partnership into a global leader for engines of all types and capacities.

Chrysler plans to add Fiat's Multiair 1.4 litre four-cylinder FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotized Engine) to its line-up, in both naturally-aspirated and turbo-charged forms.

Announced earlier this year, Fiat claims its MultiAir technology can improve fuel economy by up to 25 percent and cut Co2 emissions by 10 percent.

Chrysler will initially build Fiat’s 1.4 litre FIRE MultiAir engine for North American versions of the Fiat 500 in 2010, before adapting the technology to suit the US carmaker’s own engines.

Fiat is developing a 2.4 litre four-cylinder engine for larger vehicles, capable of producing around 140kW and 235Nm of torque.

For more performance-oriented applications, Chrysler's new all-alloy 3.6 litre V6 Pentastar engine will be the main option, as Chrysler moves to drop fully six other V6 engines in favour of this new universal engine.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (above) 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 widen the Pentastar engine's powerband, with over 90 percent of torque available from between 1600 and 6400rpm.

Intake and exhaust ports have been enlarged for better engine breathing, and the 60 degree angle between cylinder banks gives the Pentastar compact dimensions.

Joining the new engine line-up, Chrysler will take a six-speed dual clutch transmission from Fiat's catalogue, set to debut in Chrysler models later this year.