Chrysler Powertrain Strategy to Rely Heavily on Integrating Fiat Engine Technology; Chrysler to Be Global Center of Competence for Hybrids and EVs for Fiat and Chrysler
04 November 2009
| Chrysler’s new powertrain strategy relies heavily on the rapid integration of Fiat technologies. Click to enlarge. |
Chrysler’s new powertrain strategy is relying on the rapid transfer of Fiat Group technology for Multiair; Gasoline Direct Injection; turbocharging and alternative fuels to support rapid downsizing and improvement of fuel economy, along with the simplification of the company’s engine line-up, according to Paolo E. Ferrero, Senior Vice President, Chrysler Powertrain. Ferrero was speaking during a briefing at Chrysler headquarters today outlining the company’s new five-year business plan.
In addition, Ferrero said, the Chrysler Group will be the global center of engineering competence for hybrids and electric vehicles for Fiat Group and Chrysler Group.
Ferrero, who reports directly to Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Chrysler Group LLC, joined Chrysler Group from Fiat Powertrain Technologies. His most recent position was Vice President – Product Engineering.
In the short to medium term, the internal combustion engine will remain the dominant source of power. Our primary goal is best-in-class fuel economy. In the longer term, as we continue developing solution in electrification and improving the business case and making it attractive for customers, we will expand their applications.
—Paolo Ferrero
Diesels. Chrysler will adapt Fiat diesel engines to Chrysler applications. Starting on Euro5-compliant engines, Chrysler will introduce a new generation of common rail with the Multijet2 injector.
The Multijet2 injector uses a new balanced servo valve, and delivers higher accuracy in fuel injection quantity control, resulting in up to 3% lower CO2 emissions and up to 20% lower NOx emissions. Noise and driveability are also improved.
After-treatment technologies will allow the engines to meet 2015 European and US emissions limits, Ferrero said.
| Benefits of Multiair. Click to enlarge. |
Gasoline engines. Chrysler will introduce its next-generation Pentastar V6 in Q2 2010. (Earlier post.) The new V6 family will replace all existing V6 engines from 2.7 to 4.0 liters displacement. First application will be in the Jeep Grand Cherokee in mid 2010.
Chrysler will also progressively apply Fiat technology across its line-up, including the implementation of Multiair, CNG, bi-fuel, tetrafuel, and start & stop technologies.
Multiair is an electro-hydraulic valve-timing system that provides dynamic and direct control of air and combustion, cylinder by cylinder and stroke by stroke. (Earlier post.)
Multiair is variable valve timing on steroids....The real beauty of the system is that it is basically a bolt-on technology. We can add it to a base engine with very little additional investment cost.
—Paolo Ferrero
A 1.4L Multiair for the Fiat 500 will be available in Q4 2010, with a turbo version available in Q4 2011. Chrysler will apply Multiair and gasoline direct injection technology to its 4-cylinder world gas engine family. It will also develop a high-performance version of the Pentastar V6, in single and twin turbo versions, also equipped with Multiair. Chrysler will also enhance its V8 efficiency, Ferrero said.
The application of stop & start technology will reduce fuel consumption by 3-5%, Ferrero said. First application will be on a Jeep Wrangler diesel in Q4 2010.
Transmissions. Chrysler will phase-out its existing 4-speed transverse transmission for front-wheel drive, and improve the existing 6-speed, while progressively moving to use the Fiat C635 dual dry clutch transmission.
The DDCT support engine torque up to 350 N·m (260 lb-ft), and will yield a 10% improvement in fuel consumption. First application will be in a D-segment vehicle at the end of 2010.
For longitudinal (rear wheel drive) transmissions, the company is seeking solutions with external partners.
| Broad overview of Chrysler’s planned approach to electrification. Click to enlarge. |
Electrification. Chrysler continues to plan to introduce its two-mode hybrid Dodge RAM 1500 in 2010, followed by the rollout of a PHEV demo fleet support by DOE funding in 2011. Introduction of battery-electric vehicles will follow.
Ferrero said that Chrysler was preparing for a potential shift from regulatory push to consumer demand for plug-in vehicles.
Feels kind of third world to see a (once) american industrial giant taken over by a foreign company. Especially since FIAT was long considered second rate.
But glad to see they're leaving hybrid and EV development here in U.S.
How can a foreign company take over a U.S. company that was just bailed out but taxpayers?
I guess if they pay back the loans it doesn't matter.
Posted by: danm | 04 November 2009 at 11:06 AM
Dodge responsibility meets Fix It Again Tony. Sounds like a winner.
Posted by: creativforce | 04 November 2009 at 11:29 AM
The key to understanding this business is in the LLC designation:
"Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Chrysler Group LLC, joined Chrysler Group from Fiat Powertrain Technologies. His most recent position was Vice President – Product Engineering."
LLCs are virtual companies requiring few assets and little more than a fertile imagination. It's what you get from participating in a simulated environment. Computer games.
Posted by: sulleny | 04 November 2009 at 12:18 PM
I read that Chrysler is getting rid of the lifetime powertrain warranty also. So, new engines with complex "bells and whistles", plus elimination of lifetime warranty, equals cars with a slew of continual mechanical problems at 6 years and beyond...good for service departments at dealers and other mechanics but bad for consumers.
Posted by: ejj | 04 November 2009 at 01:28 PM
Multiair is variable valve timing on steroids....The real beauty of the system is that it is basically a bolt-on technology. We can add it to a base engine with very little additional investment cost.
—Paolo Ferrerol
well Paolo, maybe you could, but I can't.
Maye that's why we are both out of business.
But seriously all business te fore of all their business decisions.
To date, it frustrates the hell out of me and I know I'm not standing alone. (or in anyway pessimistic)
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/10/sturman-20091027.html
Posted by: arnold | 04 November 2009 at 08:08 PM
But seriously all business te fore of all their business decisions.
All buisness should place ethics at the fore of thier buisness decicions.
I'll blame the keyboard cause it can't explain for itself.
Posted by: arnold | 04 November 2009 at 08:13 PM
I know this is a little off-topic, but I was reading a related article about their specific product plans.
While this is not new news, and I know I am in the minority, I really wish they would have given the Jeep Commander another shot, and for once, a fair one. I think this vehicle had a lot of potential. It's styling was not the problem. The problem was that it did not have a decent V6 option and it did not have as much interior space as you would expect (especially behind the second row). Both of those issues would have been addressed if they had made another attempt using the 2011 Grand Cherokee chassis. The Pentastar V6 would have given it a great V6 with plenty of power and acceptable fuel economy, the independent rear suspension would have given it a usable 3rd seat and the larger chassis would have put the overall interior volume much closer to that of it's competitors. Such a vehicle would have sold fine, in my opinion. Even a Hemi V8 version could be made to be acceptable on fuel if they could eventually find a 7 or 8-speed replacement for their current 5-speed auto (which is more like a 4-speed anyway, since 3rd gear is 1:1 and 4/5 are both overdrive gears). It could have been an iconic vehicle similar to the Grand Wagoneers of the past, if handled well.
The other missed opportunity was not using this vehicle (or the Grand Cherokee) as their first application of their otherwise great 2-mode hybrid system. A 5-year old could have figured out that the Aspen/Durango were like putting lipstick on a pig. Few were going to spend mid-40s on such vehicles. Jeep buyers tend to be more affluent, for one, as the brand still carries more cache than Dodge or Chrysler. Since the investment in hybrid technology takes a little more time to pay off, it would have been a much easier sell to Jeep consumers, in my opinion, because I believe they hold onto their cars longer, knowing that Jeep styling will always remain very consistent. Few probably even noticed the final EPA numbers releases on the Aspen/Durango were an impressive 20/22 (for 4wd). Even if the inferior aerodynamics (guessing) of the Commander knocked an mpg off the highway number, I would have bought such a vehicle in a heartbeat. A Jeep with it's usual off-road capabilities that never goes out of style, seats 5 adults and 2 kids in a pinch, and putzes around town for the suburban moms at 20mpg? Sign me up.
Posted by: alpha1847 | 05 November 2009 at 09:01 AM
@danm-
It's not a takeover... more of a getting into bed together. Fiat gets a piece of Chrysler in exchange for bringing it technology it desperately needs.
As for the "(once) American industrial giant"... I'm having trouble remembering the last time Chrysler was respected for having a full line of competitive and desirable products. The K cars saved them from closing their doors, and they made some money on minivans the 80s and early 90s. But I can't think of a time when they were really equals to Ford and GM, rather than just trying to keep up.
Posted by: Wes | 06 November 2009 at 06:23 AM
You guys are FIAT bashing based on very old experience and assumptions. They are currently way better than Chrysler.
Posted by: GdB | 17 December 2009 at 10:06 AM