After several months of embargo, we're finally able to talk about Chrysler's new eight-speed automatic transmission. We had a chance to experience it firsthand at the Chelsea Proving Grounds back in June – in the 2012 300 and Charger line-ups.
Although 8-speed transmissions have been available for a while in some of the premium European brands, this is the first time one has been offered by a domestic automaker – and in vehicles costing thousands less.
Initially, the transmissions will be supplied by ZF (or ZF Friedreichshafen AG engineering in Germany) – the same company that produces gearboxes for Audi and BMW – but Chrysler has obtained rights and licensing to eventually produce them in-house.
For now, the 8-speed will only be available in the V6 rear-wheel drive platforms, and while nobody at Chrysler would confirm that a version bolted to V8 engines was in the works at the time of our drive, they didn't deny it, either. With that familiar, enigmatic industry smile, they would only concede that it could be "V8 compatible".
Fuel economy was the number one priority in the 8-speed transmission's (or 845RE) development – it reportedly delivers 10.9 L/100km averaged between the two models, a "double-digit improvement" over current fuel numbers.
"No other component in the driveline can provide that kind of fuel improvement" said Head of Transmission and Driveline Engineering, Mircea Gradu. Part of that is attributed to its compact size; the new transmission is lighter than the 6-speed it replaces, and at only 80 kegs, is only marginally heavier than the 5-speed.
Performance can also be altered through driver-selectable modes for sporty or more economical driving. Onboard diagnostics can determine whether all-wheel drive is needed (through traction inputs and climate-sensing wipers) and automatically disconnects the front axles when it isn't – further increasing fuel economy.
Second in importance was comfort – more gears and smaller gear steps result in transitions that are almost imperceptible.
So, what was it like?
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| Photo: Chrysler |
Although 8-speed transmissions have been available for a while in some of the premium European brands, this is the first time one has been offered by a domestic automaker – and in vehicles costing thousands less.
Initially, the transmissions will be supplied by ZF (or ZF Friedreichshafen AG engineering in Germany) – the same company that produces gearboxes for Audi and BMW – but Chrysler has obtained rights and licensing to eventually produce them in-house.
For now, the 8-speed will only be available in the V6 rear-wheel drive platforms, and while nobody at Chrysler would confirm that a version bolted to V8 engines was in the works at the time of our drive, they didn't deny it, either. With that familiar, enigmatic industry smile, they would only concede that it could be "V8 compatible".
Fuel economy was the number one priority in the 8-speed transmission's (or 845RE) development – it reportedly delivers 10.9 L/100km averaged between the two models, a "double-digit improvement" over current fuel numbers.
"No other component in the driveline can provide that kind of fuel improvement" said Head of Transmission and Driveline Engineering, Mircea Gradu. Part of that is attributed to its compact size; the new transmission is lighter than the 6-speed it replaces, and at only 80 kegs, is only marginally heavier than the 5-speed.
Performance can also be altered through driver-selectable modes for sporty or more economical driving. Onboard diagnostics can determine whether all-wheel drive is needed (through traction inputs and climate-sensing wipers) and automatically disconnects the front axles when it isn't – further increasing fuel economy.
Second in importance was comfort – more gears and smaller gear steps result in transitions that are almost imperceptible.
So, what was it like?
| |
| Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com |