23.08.2011 PENTASTAR V6 ARRIVES IN JEEP'S WRANGLER HOOKED UP TO MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR FIRST TIME

JEEP WRANGLER MODEL YEAR 2012 PENTASTAR V6
JEEP WRANGLER MODEL YEAR 2012 MERCEDES A580 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CHRYSLER GROUP PENTASTAR V6
JEEP WRANGLER MY 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Jeep's best selling model, the Wrangler, missed out when the new "Pentastar V6" was being liberally dished out around the refreshed Chrysler Group models, now that omission is rectified; it will come hooked up to the Mercedes A580-sourced 5-speed auto transmission and a new-to-the-Pentastar 6-speed manual.

Jeep's best selling model, the Wrangler, missed out when the new "Pentastar V6" was being liberally dished out around the refreshed Chrysler Group models, now that omission is rectified; it will come hooked up to the Mercedes A580-sourced 5-speed auto transmission and a new-to-the-Pentastar 6-speed manual. Out goes the unrewarding 3.8-litre unit along with the equally-elderly and inefficient 4-speed automatic.

The Wrangler Model Year 2012 thus gets the more fuel efficient and more powerful 3.6-litre V6 engine, and the Mercedes A580 five-speed automatic transmission – both of which it shares with its sister, the Grand Cherokee. The new engine and transmission combination improves fuel economy which is rated by the EPA standards as 17 mpg for urban running and 21 mpg for highway, for either the 5-speed auto or 6-speed manual. This is an improvement on the outgoing 3.8-litre engine which returned 15 mph (urban) and 19 mpg (highway).

“Jeep Wrangler has a new heart but retains the same soul for 2012,” believes Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep. “Our new 3.6-litre V6 engine gives the ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel efficiency, power and torque.

“Available in 2-door and 4-door models and boasting an untouchable combination of efficient design, open-air freedom, significant towing capability, improved real-world drivability, and unique 4x4 systems that deliver unmatched off-road prowess, Jeep Wrangler once again resets the benchmark and offers consumers the ultimate vehicle for any driving adventure,” Manley added.

Chrysler Group’s 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine delivers its stock 285 horsepower (209 kW) and 260 lb/ft of torque (353 Nm) in the Wrangler application. The improvement, when compared to the previous-generation 3.8-litre V6 engine, is 40 percent in horsepower and 10 percent in torque. Additionally, the Wrangler migrates from the incumbent four-speed to the Mercedes five-speed automatic transmission, although this transmission is only in reality a stop-gap until a new family of next-generation automatic transmissions now under development, arrive. Notably, the Model Year 2012 Jeep Wrangler also features the company’s first application of a manual transmission to the Pentastar V6.

The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will continue to be available in four models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon. The Wrangler features a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles, electronic lockers.

The new automatic (the engine/transmission combination are lifted from the new Grand Cherokee) benefits the MY2012 Wrangler as much as the new engine with a claimed improved and refined shifting and gear selection. By increasing the number of speeds from four to five, the transmission allows the engine to operate in a more efficient rpm range, which helps increase fuel economy. More speeds also enable the engine to remain in the torque curve, increasing acceleration. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler has a 25-percent improvement in 0–60 mph time, which is now 8.4 seconds. Also, a lower first-gear ratio in the new automatic transmission gives the Wrangler more off-road capability via a lower overall crawl ratio. The Wrangler is now available with more axle gear ratios allowing customers to optimize fuel economy and/or vehicle capability, with 3.21, 3.73 or 4.10 ratios depending on model.

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