Chrysler's flexible new Pentastar V6
by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Apr 13th 2009 at 9:27AM

While the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee wowed the crowds in New York, what lies beneath could be a key to Chrysler's recovery. The new 3.6-liter V6, called Pentastar after the company's five-pointed-star logo, replaces seven – count 'em, seven – of Chrysler's aging engines, and stands as the outcome of several years of development.

The all-aluminum DOHC Pentastar V6, as applied in the new Jeep, offers a 33% increase in power and 11% improvement in the torque department over the engine it replaces, for a husky 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft -- all while returning 11% better fuel economy and helping Chrysler trim its overall, range-wide CAFE emissions by two miles per gallon by 2015. But the key to the engine's success could be its flexibility: not only is it designed as a flex-fuel engine, burning either gasoline or E85 ethanol with no effect on either output or emissions (no mean feat in and of itself), but the new Pentastar will find its way into a wide variety of vehicles, including Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps, but also Alfa Romeos. That ought to serve as an extra bargaining chip in the vital negotiations between Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group. Under the pending reciprocal arrangement between Detroit and Turin, the Pentastar could end up motivating several new Alfas, including the replacements to the 159 and Brera, to name just two, while Chrysler reaps the rewards in the form of Fiat Powertrain Technologies' advanced fours. Follow the jump to read more about the new Pentastar V6 in the press release and click the image on the right for a high-res pic.

[Source: Chrysler]


PRESS RELEASE

Chrysler LLC Introduces All-new Pentastar V-6 Engine

Refined, more fuel-efficient V-6 engine to debut in all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee

The all-new Pentastar V-6 is the most advanced six-cylinder engine in the history of Chrysler, with an ideal integration of select technologies that deliver refinement, fuel efficiency and performance
All-new flexible-fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 to replace seven current V-6 engines, resulting in flexibility, efficient operations and significant cost savings to the company
New Chrysler Pentastar V-6 to deliver fuel efficiency improvement of up to 8 percent on average compared with previous Chrysler V-6 engines
New Pentastar V-6 will contribute a 2 mpg increase to Chrysler's CAFE by 2015
New York, Apr 8, 2009 - Chrysler LLC introduced today an all-new line of V-6 engines that will improve fuel efficiency across the Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge lineup by 8 percent on average compared with previous Chrysler V-6 engines. This more refined and fuel-efficient V-6 engine will ultimately replace seven current Chrysler V-6 engines.

The new 3.6-liter V-6 engine-named Pentastar-is part of the company's overall $3 billion powertrain offensive. It will first be offered in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show and at the Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

"Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 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 is an all-new design, featuring double-overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a high-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration.

In the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine will deliver 280 horsepower (209 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 N•m) of torque at 4,800 rpm-an increase of 33 percent in horsepower and 11 percent in torque over its predecessor-while providing an 11 percent fuel economy improvement.

"The all-new Pentastar is the most advanced six-cylinder engine Chrysler has ever offered," said Bob Lee, Vice President-Powertrain Product Team. "This new family of engines uses an architecture conceived with future technology growth and integration in mind."

The new Pentastar V-6 also will contribute a 2 mpg increase to Chrysler's CAFE by 2015, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a reduction in oil dependence.

Customers Benefit: Fuel Efficiency, Refinement, Quality, Low Cost of Ownership

During the initial goal setting for the Pentastar program, Chrysler engineers benchmarked the industry's leading engines to set functional targets. The result is an all-new engine that delivers truly world-class customer attributes.

Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine design features a double-overhead cam (DOHC), narrow included valve angle, cylinder head and high-flow intake and exhaust ports. This design, combined with dual independent cam phasing, allows optimum volumetric and combustion efficiency over the full speed and load range, resulting in an exceptional, flat torque curve along with high specific power-the engine's torque exceeds 90 percent of its peak value from 1,600 to 6,400 rpm-which will provide customers with outstanding drivability and responsiveness, without the need for premium fuel.

"Similar to what we did with the HEMI® engine, our engineers used the best combination of design features and technologies to create an engine that satisfies customer requirements," Lee added. "The elegantly simple design maximizes the functionality of each design element rather than adding technology to claim a feature. The result gives our customers everything they demand from an engine today-class-leading levels of refinement, fuel-efficiency, performance and cost of ownership."

The advanced oil filter system eliminates oil spills and contains an incinerable filter element-more efficient disposal than the typical spin-on filters, which are disposed of in landfill sites. The use of long-life spark plugs and a high-energy coil-on-plug ignition system also helps to reduce cost of ownership.

The Pentastar V-6 is designed to run on regular gasoline, offering a 10 percent reduction in fuel cost compared with premium fueled engines. The engine also is fully flex fuel capable, offering consumers the choice of gasoline or E85 fuel without any degradation in performance or emissions.

The new state-of-the-art Trenton (Mich.) Engine South Plant will be the lead facility for production of the Pentastar V-6 engine. A duplicate, new facility in Saltillo, Mexico, will ramp up for the 2012 model year.



All-new Chrysler 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve Pentastar V-6 Technical Specifications
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
Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Electric

Tags: chrysler, chrysler engine, chrysler fiat, chrysler pentastar v6, chrysler v6, ChryslerEngine, ChryslerFiat, ChryslerPentastarV6, ChryslerV6, fiat chrysler, fiat powertrain technologies, FiatChrysler, FiatPowertrainTechnologies, fpt, pentastar, pentastar v6, PentastarV6, v6

 

That's NOT a Jeep engine. However the rest of the 2011 Grand Cherokees are more like minivans than Jeeps, so I don't really care.

Sounds good for the rest of the vehicles though.

 

I was all for it until I heard that they were 4 wheel independent suspension and were competing against the Venza and the Edge and other crossovers (Per say cars.com), that was when my head sunk

 

I wish to hell they'd sell off Jeep to someone who will start making them Jeeps again!!!

 

Yeah, really. According to Jeep's research department, people don't want to buy REAL Jeeps. People want plush, smooth riding minivans and crossovers with big rims, automatic transfer cases, and independent suspension.

I guess that's why from 84-01 Jeep sold almost 3,000,000 (yes, that's 3 with 6 zeros after it) XJ's JUST in the US, 1.5 million ZJ's from 93-98, and 1,557,859 WJ's from 99-04. Again, JUST in the US.

That's more than 6 million Jeeps from 1984-2004.

From 2005-2009, the WK (Grand Cherokee) sold less than 500,000 units. 1 million less than both the ZJ and WJ.

The Patriot, Compass, and Liberty total up about the same as the WK Grand Cherokee over the last 5 years or so. So in 5 years, all those models put together sold less units than either the ZJ or WJ in their 5 year production run.

Sounds like something aint right there...

 

I wish this was in older Avengers. 280hp is a hell of a lot better than 230hp!

Can we get a coupe with this engine please?

 

Yea Jr, I can't tell you how many huntin and fishin buddies I had in south Ga. who had a XJ or ZJ as their daily driver/spouse's vehicle when I was fishing club bass tournaments in the '90s.
Didn't matter that their truck was a Dodge, GM or Furd, most seemed to have a Jeep SUV. Almost to a guy, we'd sit and gripe about it being the beginning of the end when the XJ was scrapped for the Liberty.

 

does independant suspension make a jeep any less capable? i thought all it was sposed to do was smooth out the ride...would someone care to explain?

 

It sure makes the Hum V's pretty capable!!

 

The numbers sound good---for a V-6. V-6 engines are just fine for everyday vehicles but in a Jeep....nope. I test drove a new wrangler and that minivan powerplant just doesnt cut it. I was seriously considering getting a JK but that engine is what killed the sale. To me a 'Jeep' engine is first and formeost always going to be a big loud V-8 like the AMC 360 in my first CJ-7.

If the JK wouldve at least had a turbodiesel or even an improved version of the 4.0L (punched up to 4.5-4.9L with crossflow head and DOHC) then I might have considered further. ChryCo is really shooting themselves in the foot by not putting 8 cyls under the hood of the Wrangler. Its the strongest, most capable platform of any sport utility (different from SUV) on the planet, but that wuss engine is where it falls way short. AEV charges $10K to convert Wranglers to 5.7 or 6.1 Hemis and is able to sell every one it builds. A factory version would be way cheaper so whats the problemo?

Id take Jeep a step further and either eliminate entirely, or re-brand all the non-Wrangler vehicles. Like JR mechanic said, most people want whats basically a minivan with a truck-like body on it. Thats fine, most car companies offer only that. So why compete in an already crowded field when there are a LOT of people who will pay for quality, durabilty and capability. Jeep needs to re-think thier whole lineup. Personally, I think any Jeep worth building would use the Wrangler's platform as the foundation. The current Wrangler can soldier on with both bodystyles as-s (with some engine upgrades) but add a crew cab SUT and a single cab pickup like the JT immediately. Then make a stripped down, smaller vehicle similar to the original flatfender ****** with no frills, just a rugged, simple and near indestructible offroader for a reasonable price. The current Liberty and GC are good SUVs, but let Dodge sell them. Jeep should be known as the badass of the light truck world. ChryCo needs to prop Jeep up there as the best 4x4 money can buy bar none. A few simple tweeks can make that a reality that no one will dare challenge.

And independent suspension most definitely has its drawbacks. For a vehicle such as a toyota tacoma that mostly sees offroad duty in the form of high speed desert running, washboard roads and mudding IFS is plenty adequate. Those trucks are light weight, rarely see lifts of more than 4 inches or so and dont have any big power under the hood, so durability isnt as much of an issue. But for a Jeep that sees a lot of low speed trail climbing, has an engine biased to low end grunt and is almost guaranteed to be lifted, and IFS system would be thrashed to bits in no time. Look at the rockcrawling set. Thats one of the most grueling, demanding forms of off roading and almost no one sticks to IFS systems. They simply wont live under the strains of this use. If you drive a lifted IFS vehicle with any size rims and timres on it, it obviously isnt up to task. The design is frighteningly similar to whats under a FWD car, and there's no metal to speak of under those.