Can anyone confirm this?


http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102475


Chrysler expanding use of its five-speed automatic transmission
RICK KRANZ | Automotive News
Posted Date: 5/30/05
DURHAM, N.C. -- The Chrysler group will put five-speed automatic transmissions in 2006-model Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 models with the 3.5-liter V-6 engine.

The running change, from a four-speed automatic, will be made in the fourth quarter, after 2006 models go into production.

Chrysler said the change will improve vehicle performance and fuel economy.

The driving experience will be smoother, says Craig Love, vice president of the Chrysler group's rear-wheel-drive product team.

"You don't have quite so many upshifts (and) downshifts going through the mountains," Love said at a Dodge media event here. "That's when it really shines."

The five-speed transmission was not offered when the V-6 equipped 300 and Magnum went on sale last year because of capacity constraints. Production at the automaker's Kokomo, Ind., transmission plant is being expanded this year.

Joe Grace, senior manager of the company's premium vehicle platform team, says the five-speed transmission improves "real world fuel economy," even though the government ratings "remain the same": 19 mpg on the city cycle and 27 mpg on the highway.

Today the five-speed automatic transmission is available on Magnum and 300 models equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. It is standard on the Hemi-powered 2006 Charger R/T and the 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6-equipped Charger SE and SXT.

The 2006 Charger went into production last month.

The four-speed automatic transmission will be used on 2006 Chrysler 300 and Magnum models with the 190-hp 2.7-liter V-6.

Fleet versions of the Charger SE will be equipped with the 2.7-liter V-6 and four-speed automatic.

My local dealer says that the 5 speed transmission is still not an option on his 2006 Magnum SXT RWD order form.

Has anyone connected with Dodge or working at a dealership seen the order code for the 2006 5 speed SXT RWD option?

I would also appreciate information on what comes with the R/T option for the 2006 SXT RWD. From what I've seen, the R/T option provides 18" wheels and a rear sway bar, but I also want to know if the larger disk brake come with the R/T option on the 2006 SXT RWD.

Thanks for any help. I'm hoping I can order the 5sp SXT in September.

I work at a Dealer, so here is the scoop. The 06 Magnum and 300's with the 3.5 motor will still be equipped with the Chrysler sourced 4 speed. Only the Charger 3.5 will have the NAG1 german 5 speed. No AWD option for the Charger either.

The October Road and Track stated that the 2006 SXT 6-cyl will have the 5-speed automatic starting in late 2005...sounds like December.

If anyone sees this option at their dealership, please post.

ALSO...the 2006 Dodge Charge is a finalist for the 2006 Best Car voting


Cheers

You won't see it on the option list. As the press release states, it will be a running change from the 4-sp. to the 5-sp. Once the running change has been made, it will become the standard transmission.

Jim Jim,

The SXT Special Edition has the 5 Speed in 05. Must be a Special Edition though... The SXT Special Edition is identical to the RT, less the Hemi. Wait, so what's the point then? A Magnum isn't a Magnum without the Hemi... But the 5 Speed also comes with the Auto-Stick, fun...

My '05 SXT "Special Edition" has the 4-speed trans. IIRC, the "Special Edition" package was sunroof, 6 cd changer, big amp, 6 Bose speakers, Sirius Radio (w/free sub for one year) and, of course, the "Special Edition" badges. These options separately total something like $2400 and the package price was $1600-ish. Build date was 10/04.

The dodge.com website now shows the 5-Speed Automatic W5A580 Transmission as an OPTION on the 2006 RWD SXT

Anyone order a 2006 RWD SXT with the 5-speed yet?

Any info on when 2006 Magnums will get the rumored $3000 rebate sale?

I'm thinking silver RWD SXT 5-speed around Thanksgiving.

Just received my fleet 2006 SXT RWD Silver Steel Metalic Magnum. The 5-speed came as part of the 27G package.
I was pleasantly surprised. Good Luck. Alan