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. Beginning with mid-size D-segment cars in 2010, Chrysler Powertrain will migrate Fiat’s brand-new six-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) to Chrysler Group vehicles. The DDCT delivers a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency while enhancing performance. Chrysler Powertrain will streamline its V6 gas engine offerings from six options to the new 3.6-liter V6 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 has outlined its new powertrain line-up and their performance data going forward and it will feature a mix of its own and Fiat's engines and technology, claiming that they will result in an overall fuel-efficiency improvement of more than 25 percent during the 2010-2014 period. Amongst the highlights mentioned will be Fiat's new MultiAir induction system being incorporated into Chrysler's 2.4-litre WGE engine and the arrival of Fiat's new DDCT transmission on vehicles this year. The Fiat 1.4 FIRE engine, as was recently announced, will be built by Chrysler in Michigan for use in the Mexican-assembled Fiat 500.

In the future Fiat Powertrain will be the centre for diesel technology and small displacement gas engines (less than or equal to 1.8 liters) while Chrysler Powertrain will be responsible for large displacement gasoline engines as well as vehicle electrification technology.

“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.”

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 for use in the Fiat 500. 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 Nm) 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 Nm) of torque at 3,000 rpm.

Another addition to the Chrysler Powertrain lineup will be the new 2.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder World Gas Engine (WGE) to be fitted with Multiair. This engine was developed by the now-defunct Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA), a three way partnership between Chrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. A range of engines from 1.8- to 2.4-litres was built by GEMA but only the largest capacity unit from the family will survive for use by Chrysler's in the near future. 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 Nm) of torque at 4,200 rpm (estimated).

All-new V6 Pentastar Engine

Chrysler Powertrain will streamline its V6 gas engine offerings from six options to the new 3.6-liter V6 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. The new Pentastar does delivers some fuel efficiency improvements, however Chrysler says that it is only "up to 8 percent on average" when compared with previous Chrysler Group V6 engines, which were renown for being inefficient engines, while it delivers 90 percent of its available torque from 1800-6400 rpm. In the all-new Grand Cherokee, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine offers an increase of 33 percent in horsepower and an 11 percent improvement in torque over its predecessor. The Pentastar V6 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 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm.

New Transmission Technology

Beginning with mid-size D-segment cars in 2010, Chrysler Powertrain will migrate Fiat’s brand-new 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 Nm). 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 Chrysler shut down its ENVI division that was pressing ahead with commercialising electric-powered cars and disbanded the team. Chrysler was nominally made the centre for electrification Research & Development in the 5-year Business Plan for both the Fiat Group and Chrysler Group. However CEO Sergio Marchionne was dismissive of electric cars making up anything other than a nominal quantity of the product portfolio by 2014. In its outline of its Powertrain activities going forward, Chrysler does make claims that it is still working towards vehicle production. "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," reads the press release.

"As part of its five-year plan, Chrysler Group currently is developing a Ram 1500 with traditional hybrid capability for 2010," the press release continues. "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." During the outline of the 5-year Business Plan last November, the Fiat Doblò was mentioned as a possible candidate. "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," Chrysler also claimed today.