Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger to get eight-speed transmissions in 2012 09/01/2011
Chrysler recently announced that they will be offering a new eight-speed automatic transmission for the V6 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger beginning with the 2012 models. They are the first American automaker to offer such an option that is generally found on luxury cars, such as Audi, BMW and Rolls Royce.
The transmission allows vehicles to operate at lower RPMs whether they are in the city or on the highway, which improves the overall fuel economy of both cars by nearly 11 percent. Both vehicles will get about 31 miles per gallon on the highway with the eight-speed system, 4 mpgs better than the 2011 model.
"It demonstrates how quickly things in the rarefied air of luxury cars can make their way into mainstream cars for you and me," Jack Nerad, the executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, told USA Today. "As we go to higher and higher fuel-economy standards we’re going to see all kinds of technology being used to get there."
The luxurious upgrade improves fuel efficiency, and it also enhances the new cars' performance. Sport mode offers drivers faster shifting while also increasing the amount of RPMs.