New Eight Speed Transmission Introduced by Chrysler

• Chrysler Group LLC is first domestic automaker to offer new eight-speed automatic transmission
• New eight-speed transmission coupled to award-winning Pentastar V-6 will offer double-digit increase in fuel economy
• New 845RE eight-speed transmission will be offered initially in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive models of V-6 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
• Lower gear spread of transmission ensures low engine operation for better fuel economy

The first eight-speed automatic transmission in a domestically produced automobile will mark its debut on both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger for 2012.

The new eight-speed automatic, introduced and licensed through ZF and often found on high-end luxury cars including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Range Rover and Rolls Royce, will be available on selected models of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Initially, the transmission will be mated exclusively to the award-winning 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that was introduced last year.

The result is a four mile-per-gallon increase that pushes highway fuel economy to an EPA-rated 31 mpg for the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 2012 Dodge Charger – up from 27 mpg highway over last year’s model.

The transmission efficiency and wide ratio spread also provide the best possible fuel economy in city traffic. Fuel economy for both models is 19 mpg on the EPA city cycle – an increase of five percent over last year’s five speed automatic. With eight speeds, driving at a lower rpm in both city and highway environments also effectively helps reduce emissions by nearly 11 percent on both vehicles.

Compact and lightweight, the new transmission required no structural changes to either vehicle and despite the addition of more gears, the transmission actually weighs just 3kg more than the outgoing five speed automatic transmission.

Chrysler says the combination of the new transmission and the 292-horsepower engine drive the cars from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.