Gauntlet Thrown: 8-Speed Tranny For Chrysler

The Chrysler Group has found a way to challenge its competition even though it operates in a much smaller capital environment than do General Motors and the Ford Motor Company. Both of its competitors are bringing new product to the market, further distancing themselves from the smallest of the Detroit 3.

Tranny Collaboration

One area where Chrysler has lagged is in the area of transmission technology. Several years back Ford and GM collaborated to build a six-speed automatic transmission, technology that has allowed the two automakers to gain an edge in the market.

Indeed, Ford is offering its version of this modern automatic transmission as an option on its subcompact Ford Fiesta while GM is doing the same with its compact Chevrolet Cruze. When so equipped, each model will achieve class leading fuel economy, an EPA confirmed 40 miles to the gallon with the Fiesta.

Chrysler has trailed just about everyone when it comes to tranny technology, offering a four-speed automatic with the 2010 Chrysler 300C while the Dodge Challenger offers a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual tranny. Lack of modern product hurts customer perception of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products and affects gas mileage.

German Supplier

But Chrysler is not about to stay in everyone’s rear view mirror and has announced plans to remedy the problem by hooking up with German automotive supplier ZF to build eight-speed automatic transmissions. That’s right, the same transmissions found in big rear wheel drive BMW models may soon power select Chrysler Group products.

The Detroit Free Press states that Chrysler will begin to import these transmissions from Germany with an eye to begin building them here beginning in 2013. The automaker is investing $300 million in its Kokomo, Indiana plant for the transmissions, planning to save 1,200 jobs that were at risk.

According to Automotive News, the ZF transmission was a 2010 Automotive News PACE Award finalist. First installed in the BMW 5-series Gran Turismo and 760Li, the ZF 8-speed is the same size as the ZF 6-speed, but weighs less. Importantly, a six percent fuel improvement is realized with the 8-speed, though Chrysler expects to see improvements of up to 25 percent based on some of its current engine-transmission pairings.

Model Choices

Chrysler hasn’t identified which models will get the new transmission, but the logical choice would be vehicles riding on its rear wheel drive architecture, namely the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. In addition, its Ram line of pickup trucks and select Jeep models may also be outfitted accordingly.

With Chrysler throwing the gauntlet down, GM and Ford will suddenly find their products competing against Chrysler models which will be more fuel efficient and equipped with the latest transmission technology. Perhaps the two automakers will revisit their earlier collaboration and come up with a true ZF competitor or beater.