Why will Dodge not offer the Charger with either Hemi (6.1 or 5.7) and a manual transmission and in the 1500s (Ram) why is there no manual transmission option with the Hemi? Do they just not want to keep customers happy? Or are they that stupid as to what customers really want?

 

That's been asked many times... no one knows......... it's a mystery, lol

 

I've said it before, it is the reason I have a v6 in my ram. The 5 speed was a much more important option to me than the engine. Had there been a 5 speed Hemi option I would have definately bought it, even if it were more than the hemi automatic. As it was I could not see paying more for only a slightly better engine (not the best). I'm either gonna upgrade to the best, or keep it as basic as possible.

 

The Hemi Engine will not pass emissions with a manual transmission..at least in a car. Trucks enjoy far more lax emissions standards. The LX cars are supposedly "not designed" for them, but I question that logic.

The problem is, emmissions readings differ on a manual transmission from gear to gear depending on the throttle pressure. In a motor like the Hemi, which barely passes emmissions in the first place, this is a big problem. A company like Chrysler is setting itself up with some serious litigation problems if they cannot guarantee that the car will pass emmissions-in every gear.

An automatic transmission can electronically limit the engine to make sure it is not emitting too much of the wrong chemicals into the air. (The Autostick does give you more leeway on the gears but it still is an automatic in almost every way.)

From what I have heard the next transmission on the Horizon for the Hemi will be the Dual Clutch semi-automatic transmission that will be shifted via paddle shift off the steering wheel coming sometime in 2009. No, you won't have the clutch, but you will have lightning quick shifts with no emmissions worries.

A secondary more obvious side of the debate is the fact that manual transmissions only appeal to a very limited portion of the driving population. They also destroy resale value. Less than 30% of auto buyers identify themselves as "enthusiasts" and about 25% of those people are married to spouses who are making the buying decisions and don't want to buy them. The cost of federalizing a new manual transmission for less than 5% of the buying population is not in Chrysler's interest. Chrysler is still in financial trouble by the way.

The Viper and the SRT-10 Ram pass, but they are limited edition low volume vehicles and the rules may differ for them.

 

No offense, but that reaks of BS. Transmission choice doesn't effect emissions at all.

 

I'm with you on that...B.S... A manual tansmission in a Charger would have tremendous sales response. Plus everybody knows that a manual tranny gets better gas mileage! Come Dodge get your hands out of your pants.

 

I highly doubt it's because of emissions, more what the reason for is because of simple demand, or lack there off, in general sales of manuals are much lower than auto's, mostly the only spots they do well are sports cars and ricers, the charger/300 being full size sedans and the magnum being a full size wagon fall into neither of those, they are sportier cars in the full size sedan/wagon area but they are still not sports cars and the demand for manuals in full size sedans/wagons is very low, most people buying them are more for a family car that is sporty.

 

You want a truck with a hemi and a stick, look at the 2500's and the Power Wagons

I personaly have a Cummins and a 6 spd

 

I've read information on another Mopar forum, posted by credible sources, which reinforces these claims about existing manual transmission technology failing to meet certain emissions standards. (keyword = existing)

In fact, some have even gone on to say that the manual transmission as we know it (left foot clutch pedal, H-gate shifter) will be a thing of the past within 10 years in certain vehicle classifications, give or take. For the future of manual transmissions, look into things like SMT and AMT.

 

I have to say that I too wish for a return to the days of being able to order what you want.

My uncle worked for Dodge for 32 years. 25 years of those were in product development. He and I had numerous talks about how the car makers decide on options, this was his take on the subject:

1. Option reliability vs engineering cost and product development

2. Warranty claims ratio/liability (yes liability, drive line claims, blown engines, cluthes ect....)

3. Sales projection vs. assembly line cost adjustment.

Sorry guys but unk says that even though we want it, they may not build it due to a lot of factors. The biggest being the cost vs return.

He said be thankfull they are doing what they are for the performance enthusiast in this day and age.