AUBURN HILLS, MI — New technologies will debut on the Chrysler Group version of the World Engine, co-developed by DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation for the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA). "This series of engines will deliver benefits, including refinements in sound quality; improvements in fuel efficiency, horsepower, and torque; and reductions in noise, vibration, and harshness," said Eric Ridenour, executive vice president, product development, Chrysler Group. "Our engineers leveraged the cost savings of the GEMA program to give customers the benefits they desire with these technologies." Performance and fuel economy targets are achieved through advanced cylinder head port and intake manifold design — technologies not typically found in engines of this class. The technologies include dual variable valve timing (VVT) and intake manifold design with flow control valves, both launching in the U.S. first in Chrysler Group versions of the World Engine. Engines of three displacements will be produced: 1.8L, 2.0L, and 2.4L. The horsepower and torque targets are among the best for four-cylinder engines — 170 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque for the 2.4L. Fuel economy is a key factor in the four-cylinder market, and these engines are targeted to raise efficiency by 5 percent over the engines they replace. These technologies also enable the engine to meet the ultra-clean ULEV II emissions standards. "One example of giving customers benefits from high-value technology is variable valve timing with continuously variable phasing on both the intake and exhaust valves," Ridenour said. "Dual VVT is currently only found on performance and luxury engines — the Chrysler Group will be the first to offer it in the U.S. in entry-level vehicles, for better fuel economy and performance." This series of engines marks several firsts for the Chrysler Group:
Dual Variable Valve Timing.
Intake charge-motion flow control valves.
High-pressure, die-cast aluminum four-cylinder engine block.
Direct-acting mechanical bucket tappet valvetrain.
Hyundai led the development of the base engine, and the Chrysler Group has made engineering contributions to the engine design. Through the involvement of all three automakers, durability testing for World Engine includes 15 million customer-equivalent miles. Additionally, the partners have shared best practices and lessons learned from past and current experiences, resulting in improved refinement, quality and durability. These engines for the Chrysler Group will be manufactured at the GEMA plant in Dundee, Mich.
