Chrysler to debut 8-speed transmission in Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300

(September 1, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The first eight-speed automatic transmission in a domestically produced automobile will mark its debut on both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger for 2012.

The new eight-speed automatic, introduced and licensed through ZF and often found on high-end luxury cars including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Range Rover and Rolls Royce, will be available on selected models of the 300 and Charger.

Initially, the transmission will be mated exclusively to the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that was introduced last year.

The result is a four 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 transmission efficiency and wide ratio spread also provide the best possible fuel economy in city traffic. Fuel economy for both models is 19 mpg on the EPA city cycle — an increase from 18 mpg over last year’s five speed automatic.

For those living in inclement weather climates or wanting the proven traction of four wheels, all-wheel-drive variants of the transmission also will be available on both models for 2012.

Compact and lightweight, the new transmission required no structural changes to either vehicle and despite the addition of more gears, the transmission actually weighs just 3kg more than the outgoing five speed automatic transmission.

Coupled to the new rear-wheel-drive automatic is a differential with final drive ratio of 2.65:1. The transmission efficiency and gear ratio spread enable spending more time at lower engine rpm and the use of numerically low axle ratios further improve highway fuel economy. All-wheel-drive models are equipped with a 3.07;1 final drive ratio.

The addition of more gear ratios in the transmission helps reduce the gaps normally associated with upshifting and downshifting. Both vehicles benefit from nearly imperceptible gear changes due in part to very evenly spaced gear steps between each gear ratio. The gear steps also are very small providing quicker acceleration and smoother shifts.

High efforts in shifting also have been eliminated with gear selection controlled by a shift-by-wire system. The position selected by the driver (P, R, N, D) is transmitted electronically with no mechanical linkage from the shifter to the outside of the transmission. Elimination of this linkage removes any shift effort from the driver’s gear selection. Shift-by-wire also allows improved calibration and smoothness of garage and parking lot shifts.

Acceleration times for the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 for 0-to-60 mph are 7.2 seconds.

The all-new automatic transmission will initially be purchased through ZF. Production by Chrysler at its Kokomo transmission facility.

General Motors and Ford are also developing their own eight-speed transmissions. Nine-speed transmissions are also in the works.

Luxury brands like Audi, Bentley, BMW, Range Rover and Rolls Royce already offer eight-speed gearboxes.