Drive in Affordable Luxury, Without Sacrificing Fuel Efficiency

by Mike Driehorst from Chrysler Media

Who says you have to drive a cramped, no-styling car* to show you're green and be fuel-efficient on the roadways?

 

Chrysler and Dodge certainly don't.

Starting with the 2012 Chrysler 300 (image below) and 2012 Dodge Charger, Chrysler Group is the first U.S. automaker to offer an eight-speed transmission with its vehicles. Compared to the 2011 versions, the new eight-speed transmission means both the 2012 300 and Charger have the best fuel economy in the large sedan class, according to FuelEconomy.gov.

The new eight-speed automatic, introduced and licensed through ZF, is often found on high-end luxury cars, including Audi, Bentley, BMW, Range Rover and Rolls Royce. For our first models, the transmission is mated exclusively to the award-winning 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine, which was introduced last year.

 

In the video below, VP/Head of Transmission Powertrain and Driveline Engineering Mircea Gradu gives you a rundown on many of the benefits achieved through a "rigorous design process."

 

But don't take our word for it. Objective media outlets have put the eight-speed 2012 Charger and 2012 300 to the test.