Availability in the popular Jeep Cherokee is scheduled for third quarter. ESS arrives the following quarter in the all-new Chrysler 200.

The technology made its NAFTA-region debut in the Ram 1500 full-size pickup. ESS accounts for a one-mpg city-cycle fuel-economy gain in the Ram, the most fuel-efficient truck in its segment.

At the heart of ESS is a high-speed/high-durability starter that reduces crank time, culminating in quicker restarts. Its function is regulated by algorithms that act on a vehicle’s powertrain and chassis components.

As a result, acceleration is aligned with driver inputs. Passive accelerator application is met with measured throttle response; hard inputs trigger aggressive starts.

Engine controls constantly monitor vehicle speed. When the vehicle brakes to a stop, fuel flow is cut and engine turns off; batteries maintain other vehicle systems so in-cabin comfort is unaffected

When the brake pedal is released, the engine automatically restarts and the nine-speed automatic transmission is engaged within 0.3 seconds

If a driver chooses to forgo the benefits of ESS, the feature can be deactivated with the push of a button, and then reactivated.

The 16-valve, 184-hp 2.4-liter Tigershark comes standard in the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200. The I-4 also features the MultiAir2 electro-hydraulic fully variable valve-lift system.

Exclusive to Chrysler Group in North America, MultiAir technology uses a column of oil in place of the traditional mechanical link between the camshaft and intake valves. Electronic control of the MultiAir components maximizes intake manifold pressure, significantly reducing pumping losses.

MultiAir2 simultaneously controls both valve opening and closing events to more effectively manage combustion quality. This ensures the appropriate, effective compression ratio and efficient internal exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) for improved fuel economy.

The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is the first mid-size sedan to feature a nine-speed automatic transmission, which comes standard and contributes to a fuel-economy gain of up to 13% compared with the outgoing car and its four-speed gearbox. The transmission is also standard in the Jeep Cherokee.

The Cherokee’s available 271-hp 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 is derived from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, named three times one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines. The smaller-displacement V-6 helps the Cherokee deliver fuel-economy improvements of up to 30%, compared with the model it replaces.

Individual exhaust-manifold runners are integrated into the aluminum cylinder-head casting, a key Pentastar-family differentiator. This design feature reduces weight and affords packaging benefits.

The 24-valve engine’s 10.7:1 compression ratio aids in lowering fuel consumption and improves performance while its variable-displacement oil pump further reduces parasitic losses to maximize fuel economy. The pump is programmed to operate as needed, staying in low-pressure mode below 3,500 rpm, and then bumping up pressure as demand follows engine-speed.