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New 8 spd from Chrysler: will it go into the WK2?

7K views 30 replies 20 participants last post by  muellge 
#1 ·


Chrysler Group LLC to Invest $300 Million to Modernize Indiana Plants for New Fuel-Efficient Eight-speed Automatic Transmission

June 9, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

Chrysler Group LLC will invest $300 million into the Company’s existing transmission manufacturing facilities in Kokomo, Ind., to accommodate a new highly fuel-efficient eight-speed automatic transmission for future Chrysler Group vehicles.
The largest investment in the U.S. since the new Company was formed in June 2009 was aided by the approval of a tax abatement from the city of Kokomo. The investment will fund the installation of equipment and special tooling to modernize Indiana Transmission Plant I and the Kokomo Casting Plant. The project will extend the life of both manufacturing facilities and help retain nearly 1,200 jobs.
Chrysler Group has licensed the manufacturing rights from Friedrichshafen, Germany-based ZF Group to build the new eight-speed beginning in 2013. Included in this agreement is the purchase of transmissions manufactured by ZF.
”The new eight-speed transmission that we’ll be producing in Kokomo will transform our future product line, but equally important, ensures the future viability of our Kokomo facilities and our dedicated workforce,” said Scott Garberding, Senior Vice President and Head of Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “The support demonstrated by General Holiefield, Vice President and Director of the UAW Chrysler Department, and the entire UAW for World Class Manufacturing is one of the primary reasons we continue to make significant investments in our Indiana facilities.”
“In addition, the State of Indiana and Governor Mitch Daniels, the City of Kokomo and Mayor Greg Goodnight as well as Congressman Joe Donnelly, Congressman Dan Burton and the rest of the Indiana Congressional delegation have been valued partners as Chrysler Group works to bring the most technologically advanced and fuel efficient vehicles to market. This investment would not be possible without their continued support,” said Garberding.
"It's heartening to see the local unions and employees in Indiana embrace the principles of WCM and, as a result, see the company continue to make significant investments in both new technology and the Kokomo facilities,” said General Holiefield, Vice President and Director of the UAW Chrysler Department. “This action will give Chrysler a head-start on a new transmission and will help secure the future for Chrysler UAW-represented employees."
The new transmission will contribute to an overall fuel economy improvement across the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep® and Ram Truck product lineup. More sophisticated and efficient than traditional five- and six-speed automatic transmissions, the new eight-speed is proof of Chrysler Group’s commitment to fuel economy.
“The new eight-speed automatic transmission will offer our customers refinement and comfort while achieving greater fuel economy and performance,” said Paolo Ferrero, Senior Vice President—Powertrain, Chrysler Group LLC. “We look forward to integrating the new transmission into future Chrysler Group products and welcome its contribution to a corporate fuel economy improvement of more than 25 percent by 2014.”
Chrysler Group Powertrain engineers benchmarked the industry's leading automatic transmissions to set functional goals. After working closely with ZF, the result is a seamless shifting eight-speed transmission without sacrifice. Specific product information and timing for the new transmission will come at a later date.
Earlier this month, Chrysler Group announced that it would invest $43 million in new equipment and tooling to expand its operations in Kokomo to support production of the World Engine and improve processes for the 62TE transmission program. In December 2009, the Company announced that it would invest $179 million in its Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Mich., to produce the 1.4-liter, 16-valve Fully Integrated Robotized Engine (FIRE). In May 2007, Chrysler announced a $730 million investment in the Pentastar V-6 engine program, which began production at the all-new Trenton (Mich.) Engine Plant in March 2010—bringing the total powertrain investment to nearly $1.3 billion since 2007.
http://www.media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=9712&mid=2
 
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#2 ·
I won't say that, but I will say this, surely you don't expect them to keep using that Daimler transmission forever, right?
 
#5 ·
I saw an article about this a few days ago...amd it said it would go into the new wk2 in 2012-2013...but who really knows? Lets see what Milous has to say.
 
#8 ·
This is great news. The ZF is capable of 2wd and awd configurations. It's pretty amazing.
Check out this write up on Car & Driver: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/zf_s_8-speed_automatic_transmission-tech_dept
ZF uses the term “kit” because 8HP is not a single transmission but rather one transmission case with various internal, customer-selectable options. It is designed for longitudinal, or “north-south,” applications. It can be set up for rear- or all-wheel drive and facilitates hybridization by providing the option of swapping the conventional torque converter for a 47-hp electric motor, increasing fuel economy by a claimed 25 percent when compared with ZF’s old six-speed (6HP). To save weight, the electric motor can also double as the starter. Expect to see a hybrid using the 8HP by the end of 2011.

A third coupling device is available for the most-performance-driven applications: a wet multiplate clutch pack developed by ZF, which is currently found in the Mercedes-Benz E63 and SL63.
 
#9 ·
I can't see Chrysler investing in such a versatile transmission setup with the intention of limited use by way of select vehicles in the brand portfolio. I'm sure this transmission will eventually find its way into the WK2 in order to continue to make the car relevant to a more discerning and demanding customer base.
 
#10 ·
Or to eliminate the continuous purchasing of transmissions from Daimler?
 
#12 ·
I agree, this type of investment will see widespread usage in many vehicles. Like its been said, it's a very versatile piece of engineering for many applications. I see it as a great move on Chrysler's part. Big upgrade and it gets away from Daimler who hasn't been very cooperative as of late.
 
#13 ·
As of late? They never were cooperative.
 
#15 ·
Ok I'll def wait for this tranny to go in the new WK before I upgrade.
 
#16 ·
Why not just go CVT? Nearly unlimited gear ratios and you dont ever feel a shift. Having a billion gears isnt going to help anything except make a more expensive car and make parts more and more costly. Remember.. the more simple it is... less likely it'll break. ( I know someone is going to say.. isnt the CVT pretty complicated?)
 
#30 ·
Turbos have always been problematic in my mind, but I'm an old guy that remembers the coked oil passages of early turbos. Our local mechanic tells me that VWs still suffer from that if they are not maintained properly. I'd prefer a supercharger if they want to add boost.
 
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