200,000 9-Speed Transmissions Expected for New Chrysler Cars
Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne expects there will be as many as 200,000 nine-speed transmissions available this year and bound for new Chrysler vehicles.
The gear-heavy transmissions will be slated for three of the brand’s new vehicles: the new Jeep Liberty, Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart. Marchionne told reporters in Detroit today that the Liberty will be first in line with either the 200 or both the 200 and the Dart to follow.
Previous reports already suggested that Chrysler’s new 200 mid-size sedan would get the nine-speed unit to help it achieve up to 38 mpg. The car is also set to carry Chrysler into a new design language that Chrysler chief designer Ralph Gilles says will be like nothing ever seen with the brand before.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Dodge Dart DDCT Automatic Review
Offering the unit in the Dart would also serve to smooth over what was otherwise a rocky start for Dodge’s re-entry to the compact sedan segment. The Dart was initially only offered with a manual transmission – the bane of most American drivers. Shortly thereafter, the car became available with a dry dual-clutch transmission, but only with the more expensive 1.4-liter turbo engine. Dodge brought a six-speed automatic to market, but the delay certainly didn’t help sales.
[Source: Automotive News]
Discuss this story at 200Forums.com
Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
More by Luke Vandezande
Comments
Join the conversation