Along with the world debut of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler also announced the introduction of an all-new line of V6 engines called 'Pentastar' at the New York Auto Show. The American automaker said that the new engine which will replace a total of seven V6 units found in various current-generation Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models, is the most advanced six-cylinder engine in the brand's history.
"Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine will offer our customers improved fuel economy, refinement and increased performance across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicle lineup," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President—Product Development, Chrysler LLC. "At the same time, replacing seven current engines with one engine will result in increased flexibility, more efficient operations and significant cost savings to the company."
The Pentastar V6 will first be offered in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee producinge an output of 280HP at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm from a displacement of 3.6-liters. Chrysler supports that the new V6 offers an increase of 33% in horsepower and 11% bump in torque over its predecessor while providing an 11% fuel economy improvement.
The six-cylinder unit has been designed to run on regular gasoline, offering around 10 percent reduction in fuel cost compared with premium fueled engines. Furthermore, Chrysler said that the V6 is also flex fuel capable meaning that it can run on E85 fuel without any degradation in performance or emissions.
Production of the new V6 will take place at the firm's Trenton Engine South Plant in Michigan while a new facility in Saltillo, Mexico, will also manufacture the engine for the 2012 model year.
Chrysler 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve Pentastar V-6 Technical Specs
- Displacement: 3.6 liters
- Bore x stroke: 96 x 83 mm
- Valve train system: Double-overhead cam with roller finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. Dual independent cam-torque actuated phasers
- Fuel injection: Multi-point port fuel injection
- Construction: High-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block and semi-permanent mold aluminum cylinder head
- Maximum engine speed: 7200 rpm
- Fuel requirement: E85 (Ethanol) or unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2
- Emission capability: PZEV
