Chrysler Pentastar V-6 Engine Repeats With "Ten Best Engines" From Ward's Auto

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  

• Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 cited for exceptional fuel economy, emissions and power
• Chrysler's Pentastar engine once again recognized by the editors of Ward's Automotive as one of the "Ten Best Engines" for 2012
• Chrysler's workhorse V-6 now available in many Jeep®, Chrysler, Dodge passenger cars and SUV's for 2012
• Mated to new eight-speed transmission, 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivers 31 mpg on the highway with Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
• New 2012 Jeep Wrangler boasts improved fuel economy with 40 percent increase in power with Pentastar V-6 engine

Chrysler Group's Pentastar 3.6–liter V-6 engine once again has been recognized by the editors of Ward's Automotive as one of the "10 Best Engines".

"Every year, Ward's Automotive recognizes the industry leaders in engine technology," said Drew Winter, editor at Ward's Automotive. "Chrysler has successfully demonstrated the breadth of this engine and how it delivers on all fronts including fuel economy, lower emissions and power."

Named to the exclusive group of engines last year after its introduction in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar V-6 engine is now standard or available on Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey and Caravan. For 2012, the Pentastar 3.6-liter engine also is now standard on the new Jeep Wrangler.

Editors tested the 2012 Jeep Wrangler and the Chrysler 300 is this year's shootout.

Designed to meet a variety of requirements across both front- and rear-drive models, the Pentastar V-6 also is the exclusive engine used with the new eight-speed automatic transmission on Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models. The engine and transmission combination deliver 31 miles-per-gallon (mpg) on the highway.

On Jeep Wrangler, the 3.6-liter engine improved fuel efficiency to 21 mph on the highway while delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque, improvements of 40 and 10 percent, respectively.

"Since the introduction of the Pentastar V-6 engine just 16 months ago, we have produced more than 900,000 engines for front- and rear- drive passenger cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles," said Bob Lee, vice president and head of powertrain and electrified propulsion systems engineering, Chrysler group LLC. "We are continuing to look forward at adapting future technologies to the Pentastar V-6 as they become available for even more fuel efficiency and performance."

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC