pentastar Archives

Report: More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

2011 Jeep Wrangler

2011 Jeep Wrangler – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to The Toledo Blade, citing ordering guides sourced from Chrysler dealerships, the Jeep Wrangler will finally get the automaker’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 for the 2012 model year. Since 2007, the Wrangler has been fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine (which replaced the venerable 4.0-liter inline six) that has met with less than stellar reviews. The new engine may have been a foregone conclusion, but it’s a welcome one nonetheless.

Equally as important is news that the Jurassic-age four-speed automatic will be replaced with a five-speed unit. That’s nice and all… but why go with a five-speeder when six (or more) is the current standard?

In any case, the report claims that the 2012 Wrangler’s powertrain will be identical to the units in the 2011 Grand Cherokee. That means we should expect 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Those are much-needed improvements of the old 3.8, which offered up 202 horses and 237 lb-ft. Fuel mileage will reportedly improve to 16 city, 23 highway from 15/19.

In other Jeep news, Allpar.com reports that the 2012 Grand Cherokee will get a six-speed automatic to replace the five-speed unit in the 2011 model. (Guess we know where those older gearboxes are headed, eh?) In a further bid to improve fuel economy, the Pentastar-equipped Grand Cherokee will also be getting electrically driven power steering in place of the current hydraulic unit.

More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised”

Report: Pentastar V6 models first to get ZF eight-speed autos at Chrysler

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, Rumormill

2011 Dodge Charger – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler’s LX platform cars will pick up a new eight-speed automatic transmission made by ZF for the 2012 model year. The Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 will benefit mightily from the new transmission that will eventually replace the older five-speed unit that’s currently available.

Allpar reports that a reliable source within Chrysler has disclosed that the new transmission will first become available in 2012 Dodge Charger and 2012 Chryler 300 models powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. 2012 Dodge Challenger SE models hang on to the five-speed for a little longer still.

The reason for rolling the new transmission out this way may be to suss out any problems while backing up a less-powerful engine. It may also be that the fuel economy improvement will be larger with the V6, and yet another theory suggests that the engineering and software work for the V6 and eight-speed link-up was further along. It stands to reason that sales of V6 models outstrip Hemi-powered LX cars, and bringing the transmission to market behind the highest-volume powerplant is going to make the biggest CAFE impact. Whatever the reason, the new automatic gearbox is a leapfrog move that further re-modernizes the redesigned LX range.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Charger: First Drive

2011 Dodge Charger

[Source: Allpar]

Report: Pentastar V6 models first to get ZF eight-speed autos at Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Pentastar V6 models first to get ZF eight-speed autos at Chrysler”

2011 Dodge Challenger gets new Pentastar V6 with 305 HP

Filed under: Coupe, Chrysler, Dodge

2010 Dodge Challenger

2010 Dodge Challenger – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s no secret that Chrysler is making the most of its new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. We’ve tested this mill in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and know the automaker has plans to offer it in the forthcoming Dodge Avenger, Durango, Charger and Journey, as well as the new Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country. Good news all around, but what’s most interesting is that the Challenger pony car will benefit from Pentastar power, meaning that the base V6 model will be better poised to compete with its cross-town rivals, the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

The 2011 Challenger V6 will produce 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque, gains of 55 hp and 18 lb-ft versus the 2010 model. Compare that to the Mustang with its new 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 and the Camaro with its direct-injected, 312-hp 3.6-liter six, and what we have here is quite the showdown. Now, all the Challenger needs is a slightly better interior, and we’ll be in business.

See how the V6 Challenger stacks up to the Mustang and Camaro side-by-side in the table below, and follow the jump for Chrysler’s official press release.

	Base Price	Engine Size	Horsepower	Torque	MPG	Weight
Dodge Challenger	$23,245*	3.6 liters	305 @ 6350	268 @ 4800	N/A***	3819 lb
Chevy Camaro	$22,680**	3.6 liters	312 @ 6400	278 @ 5200	17 / 28	3741 lb
Ford Mustang	$22,145**	3.7 liters	305 @ 6500	280 @ 4250	19 / 31	3453 lb

* 2010 model pricing ** Plus destination *** Not yet rated

Gallery: 2010 Dodge Challenger

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading 2011 Dodge Challenger gets new Pentastar V6 with 305 HP

2011 Dodge Challenger gets new Pentastar V6 with 305 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2011 Dodge Challenger gets new Pentastar V6 with 305 HP”

Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011

Filed under: Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge Journey

2011 Dodge Journey – Click above for high-res image gallery

As Chrysler continues its effort to drastically refresh the majority of its product portfolio in short order, we’re seeing a raft of updated interior refinements and powertrain enhancements making their way across the full range of Pentastar vehicles. The big news for most of these vehicles is better interior quality, and no place is that more apparent than on the 2011 Dodge Journey. Have a look at the old Journey’s cockpit and compare that with the new one. On face value alone, this looks to be a massive improvement.

Updated interior aside, the 2011 Journey receives revised suspension geometry, better tires and an overhauled steering system in an effort to make things more engaging from behind the wheel. In the biggest development of all, Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is under the hood, delivering 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. V6 models also receive a more aggressive lower front fascia, 19-inch wheels and LED taillamps.

Pricing has not been released as of this writing, but we’ll have those details closer to the 2011 Journey’s on-sale date near the end of this year. For now, read Chrysler’s own words about the updated Journey in the press release after the break and check out the high-res gallery below. Thanks to all for the tips!

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Journey

2011 Dodge Journey

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011

Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Dodge Journey gets Pentastar engine, new interior for 2011”