AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Fiat already has begun transferring critical powertrain technology to its U.S. affiliate Chrysler, including turbocharging, gasoline direct injection and alternative fuels. Further, executives said future Chrysler products will use diesel engines and dual-clutch transmissions from Fiat.
The powertrain developments were disclosed by Paolo Ferrero, senior vice president of Chrysler Powertrain, as part of a day-long presentation by the Fiat/Chrysler team on Chrysler's five-year business plan through 2014.
As part of the ongoing cross-sharing of powertrain technologies, Fiat is tapping Chrysler's expertise in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as V6 gasoline engines.
Among the new engines that Chrysler will bring to market in the U.S. are normally aspirated and turbocharged variants of Fiat's 1.4 Multiair, in late 2010 and late 2011, respectively, and the new Chrysler-designed Pentastar V6 in mid-2010, followed later by single- and twin-turbo performance variants with Fiat Multiair technology.
The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will debut late next spring in the face-lifted 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine will develop 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and is expected to be mated to a six-speed automatic. Eventually, the Pentastar range will be expanded and will replace all existing Chrysler V6 engines from 2.7 to 4.0 liters.
The first application of Fiat's six-speed dual dry-clutch transmission in the U.S. will be in a Chrysler D-segment vehicle in late 2010.
Fiat's engine "stop & start" technology will be applied initially in the 2011 Jeep Wrangler diesel in late 2010.
Inside Line says: Fiat's engine technology, particularly in gas and diesel four-cylinder units, is widely respected in Europe. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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dodgeman07 says:
02:38 PM, 11/04/2009
I'd love to get more diesel engines in the U.S. That could be a huge gain for Chrysler.