- Chrysler's new eight-speed automatic transmission will be a $1,000 option when it debuts on the base 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 on October 1, said the automaker.
- The eight-speed transmission will be standard equipment on uplevel models, such as the 2012 Chrysler 300 S and the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT.
- The new transmission will be available only on the Pentastar V6, not the Hemi V8.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Chrysler's new eight-speed automatic transmission will be a $1,000 option when it debuts on the base 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 on October 1, said the automaker.
The eight-speed transmission will be standard equipment on uplevel models, such as the 2012 Chrysler 300 S and the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT.
"It will start out on the (3.6-liter) Pentastar V6 and we'll look at rolling it out on V8 models at a later date," said Vince Muniga, a Chrysler spokesman in a phone conversation with Inside Line on Thursday.
Muniga said that the eight-speed ZF transmission will not be offered on the Hemi V8 at this point.
Chrysler said in a statement that the primary benefit of the new transmission is a boost in fuel economy.
"The result is a 4 mile-per-gallon increase that pushes highway fuel economy to an EPA-rated 31 mpg for the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 2012 Dodge Charger — up from 27 mpg highway over last year's model," the statement said.
The EPA has not yet posted any information about the 2012 Chrysler 300 or 2012 Dodge Charger with the eight-speed transmission on its Web site.
Chrysler says this is the first eight-speed transmission in a domestically produced automobile. The new transmission will be offered initially in rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger with the V6 engine.
The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge on Thursday said the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stood at $3.62 versus $2.67 a year ago.
Inside Line says: The eight-speed transmission could be a game-changer for Chrysler.
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pei_asdf says:
07:13 AM, 09/03/2011
Great news. I was waiting for the 8-speed to show up on the 300 and JGC before considering them. Now only if Chrysler can make the 300 less ghetto and more refined like an Audo or Infiniti. Running gangster commercial for 300 doesn't help either.
pchang7 says:
11:17 AM, 09/02/2011
Chrysler 300, now with a 300-speed automatic transmission, your car will be at 1 RPM when in the 300th gear.
lostboyz says:
06:46 AM, 09/02/2011
@ambee514, so you are saying if you drive with a lead foot you don't see optimal fuel economy? NO WAY!
jabele says:
05:49 AM, 09/02/2011
where did chrysler get the 6 speed tranny for the Durango and JGC? They have never made a RWD 6 speed before so I'm wondering if its a ZF unit.
ambee514 says:
04:16 AM, 09/02/2011
So when they say that the 8 speed gives a 4 mpg boost, what they really mean is the car will just be doing like 1000 rpm at 65. which means if you put any kind of spirit into your drive you will see no change in fuel economy and you will have perpetual gear changes.
lostboyz says:
03:53 AM, 09/02/2011
@threemopars, it is coming, the same trans is currently being used in higher power applications in audi and jaguar.
threemopars says:
06:03 PM, 09/01/2011
"Yes they make the Genesis 4 cyl. and 6 cyl with a manual transmission."
Yea the Genesis COUPE. Not the SEDAN.
"This transmission should be added to the HEMI and to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango."
Not happening. It can't handle the torque of the V-8's. Durango and Grand Cherokee get 6 speed automatic for 5.7 models for 2012. 5 speed WA580 stays for the V-6 models thus far.
lostboyz says:
05:50 PM, 09/01/2011
I get the comments about the manuals, I do. Unfortunately it doesn't really make any sense on an article about a new AUTO trans.
motorstreet says:
05:06 PM, 09/01/2011
This transmission should be added to the HEMI and to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. I really want to see Chrylser bring over the new VM Motori 3.0L turbo diesel V6 with the 8 speed auto for the 300, Grand Cherokee, and Durango.
agentorange says:
03:45 PM, 09/01/2011
"why would anyone be surprised that a full size american car wouldnt have a stick? It doesnt have one because it wouldnt sell."
Here's your sign. Be fair, if the auto box had been invented first, would we embrace the manual except for competition? Imagine the conversation....
Saleman: "Yeah, with this new transmission you have to coordinate your hand movements with pressing on a third pedal we have fitted to the car to select gears. Isn't it great?"
Customer: "Hmm, seems like an extra complication to me. What's the benefit?"
S: "Erm, well... you can shave about a second off your 0-60 time if you are really brutal with it, risking halfshaft breakage and clutch burnout. It's OK, you get used to the feel of hard driveline shock".
C, backing away: "Maybe I'll try one next year..."
Oh, and have you noticed that in all the top competition formulas, the gearboxes used some kind of automated system? It's only in NASCAR and the lower leagues where the manual box is still used or required.