Yea I'm on the fence too i would happy to stall till June to order and receive in September that would be OK, but if i have to order in September i will buy now.
Doubtless MY2013, which commences production in late August or so of this year. But the same target applied to the diesel option, and now the word is that this won't be available until Q1 of calendar year 2013.
Best guess is that the WK2 won't get the XF-8 box until Chrysler gets production ramped up over here, and that facility is still being set up. The currently used XF-8 units are being imported from Germany and doubtless are pricier than if they were made over here.
We were a bit hesitant to go with the 5-speed box, but now that we've had it for nearly five months it's been just fine with the V6. Even today I wouldn't be willing to wait 8+ months to get my mitts on a WK2 with the extra gears. There's always something better around the corner, but the new box will be a pretty marginal improvement IMO.
I understand that the improvement on the 8 speed will pretty marginal improvement but if i order now and find out it will be available in June i know i would regret ordering now. Just would like to know the time frame.
The GC is a top quality suv with the 5 speed transmission just do lots of miles and concerned about mpg improvement.
I've sort of adjusted to the 5 speed but coming out of an Infiniti FX35 the shift feel is unnatural and I have to be conscious of what I'm doing all the time. As an example I'll make a 90 degree right turn from a stop onto a slight hill and if I don't remember to get on the accelerator I'll find myself in 3rd gear before the turn is complete requiring heavy application of the accelerator eventually leading to the well known reluctant downshift. Everything else about the JGC is great but whoever tuned the transmission was way too interested in getting MPG's and way too uninterested in drivability. If you mostly care about getting where you're going in comfort and are generally unaware of what the drivetrain is doing then don't worry, get the 5 speed.
I drive mostly highway, so I can't see the 8 speed helping much unless top gear is taller than the current tranny. Also: Are we getting the 8 speed for the hemi? That's the only engine I'm going to consider. I test drove the Limited with the smaller engine and while those 8 speeds will help I still think the hemi is the way to go. Most people seem very happy with the 5/6 speed with Hemi and it's a fairly tough tranny. Can the 8 speed match it?
I have mixed feelings about how the 8-speed automatic will function. It seems that sometimes too many gears can equate to too much shifting and a bit of an annoying drive. On the other hand, if properly done, I'm sure the 8-speed automatic will be just fine.
The tranny programming is by far the worst aspect of this vehicle. They can't get 5 gears right, I would hate to have 8 gears of sloppy mess to get through to get up to speed. I wish there was a 2-spd powerglide available, of course, Jeep could probably jack up the 1 shift in that also.
March issue of Car and Driver magazine does a short review of a 300S 8- speed V6. They love it and say it makes a major difference in performance and MPG. Those who can wait for the GC 8-speed, should do so!
Count me as one waiting for the 8-speed, however long it takes until available. I check this forum almost every day to see if any new news on availability. Played with the WK2s and visited the ZF booth at the Detroit auto show a few weeks ago; they had an 8HP cutaway on display. Going with either Pentastar or CRD. Probably Limited, mineral gray / black interior (but that green kind of looks cool too), ORA I, towing, adaptive cruise / lux II. I waste a lot of time with the jeep.com configurator too. Bring it on...
Once they come out, then you'll wait for reviews. Then reviews will come, and as always, there will be a few reports of problems. Then what will you do?
This waiting game has been going on for 1.5 years since the deal with ZF became public. I have not seen any road map that confirms the 8-speed on the Grand Cherokee. That said, it probably will show up paired with the V-6 like other Chrysler vehicles.
I wanted the Hemi and am very happy with the "multi-speed" gear box in my 2011.
LINGOHOCKEN'S comments are consistent with information being published elsewhere in the automotive press. The Kokomo transmission plant is reportedly the facility to be used for domestic production of the XF 8. There have been reports of delays there, but hopefully some one on this forum has the connections to determine the current status of the re-tool at Kokomo.
Meanwhile, like many, I wait.
I am also willing to wait for the 8 speed transmission in 2013. Only if i can order in June if longer i will buy before June. Anyone know if i will be able to order in June?
I think what is happening is the torque converter is simply unlocking at that speed. As a follow up to my post, I did talk to the service manager at my local dealer and he said it was the same 5 speed that was in the 2011. And as I suspected, 6th is not a new gear but simply allows the driver to manually lock or unlock the torque converter. To test this, speed up to a steady speed of 70 on level ground in drive and then manually shift to 6th and see if the rpm drops. If is doesn't, it tells you the converter was locked in Drive and shifting up to 6th doesn't change gears because there isn't a 6th gear and shifting back down to 5th unlocks the torque converter and the rpm will rise.
I would be surprised if Chrylser would invest in the cost of building a true 6 speed for 2012 knowing there is an 8 speed is on the horizon.
2012 G.C. with Hemi 6 speed - going 70 mpg in 5th gear and shifting up to 6th drops the rpms down.
2011 G.C. with Hemi Multispeed (not a true 5 speed; there were always 6 gears, just not all used sequentially). - 5 forward gears and 5 down gears. There were two 2nd gears, one used for going up and another for going down.
Jeep uses all 6 speeds sequentially in the Hemi in the 2012s.
Sorry folks, I should have done some more research before posting a "Quick Response". jgc4ever hit the nail on the head. The difference is 2nd gear.
Here is what I found online:
A. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_545RFE_transmission#45RFE_and_545RFE
a. 545RFE Transmission (2001–2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7L, 4.7L H.O., 5.7L Hemi)
b. 65RFE Transmission (2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7L) B. http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php/topic/135660-65rfe-66rfe-and-68rfe-differences-explained/ a. “Light duty applications use the 65RFE. Except for some softwaredifferences, the 65RFE is essentially the same as a 545RFE. In fact, you can consider any statement concerning the 545RFE to apply to the 65RFE as well.” C. http://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/545RFE.htmlhttp://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/545RFE.html a. “The next six speed derived from the 545RFE was the 65RFE, initially used with V8 versions of the Ram 1500, Durango, and Grand Cherokee. The 65RFE does not have six forward gears in regular automatic mode, only in ERS/AutoStick mode; it is essentially a software and name change, which allows people to reach the “prime” gear via ERS rather than kickdown. An internal Chrysler communiqué to dealers summarized the change in a similar fashion.” D. http://www.wk2jeeps.com/wk2_transm.htm a. This site does a good job of describing the difference in gears and gear ratios for the 545RFE and 65RFE. The 65RFE has a 2nd and 2nd prime gear where the 545RFE only has a 2nd gear. The 2nd gear ratios for the 65RFE are 1.67 for 2nd and the 2nd prime ratio is 1.5. The 2nd gear ratio for the 545RFE is identical to the 65RFE, which is 1.67. And the 5th gear ratio for both transmissions is identical at 0.67.
Anyone hear anything more on this yet? I'm really starting to hate my 08 Trailblazer more now than ever before. This thing doesn't drive anywhere near what my 01 JGC did..God I kind of miss her.
I'm with ya! Lots of 2013 auto models from Chrysler and others coming into focus recently, but there hasn't been any real buzz about this for a couple of months. I can't tow my Mastercraft with my Civic... but I'd rather just keep paying someone else to do it (or rent tow vehicle) than trade-in for something about to get a significant performance/mpg upgrade. Looking forward to US CRD pricing and mpg details too.
A bit of buzz on the 8-speed today- http://rumors.automobilemag.com/201...ntastar-v-6-eight-speed-automatic-115547.html
"The eight-speed transmission will be added to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango by late 2012 or early 2013, as well. Chrysler’s filing says that the new transmission will eventually be used in all its rear-wheel-drive products except for heavy-duty trucks."
Does this mean that 8 speed will be available the end of 2012 to order NOV to DEC or JAN to FEB 2013. That is along time to wait! Thought it would be available to order in June for 2013 MY ?
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