Chrysler' s New Fuel Efficient V-6

We are upon another election year and once again the uncertainty our future and fuel prices are rising once again. The 2008 election almost bankrupted the American automobile industry with inflated gas prices and the price of crude oil skyrocketing to unprecedented amounts. The rise of gas prices in the summer of 2008 were higher than the characters in the Cheek and Chong movie " Up in Smoke " The effect of rising oil prices during that summer crippled the automobile manufacturers that were accustom to selling trucks and large SUVs. This year Chrysler seems like they are better prepared for the challenge. Chrysler along with Mercedes created a new V-6 engine for some of the Chrysler Jeep and Dodge products. The engine is a 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6. The Pentastar has received numerous awards and with the improved fuel economy for customers is positive news. The new engine was first introduced in the newly re-designed Grand Cherokee which saw an improvement in fuel economy of almost five MPG better on the Jeep. The horsepower in this engine is unbelievable for a V-6. Depending on the vehicle the horsepower can range from 283 hp to 290 hp. Chrysler has taken their fuel saver technology to another level this year.The Pentastar in select models such as the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger has a new available 8 speed automatic transmission for 2012. The 2011 V-6 with the old 5 speed automatic transmission was getting 27 MPG " with an expected range for drivers of 22 to 32 MPG." The new 8 speed automatic transmission is getting an astounding 31 MPG " with an expected range for drivers of 25 to 37 MPG." The new Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger are full size vehicles that are capable of getting up to 37 MPGis an amazing step in the right direction for Chrysler . The increase in fuel economy will become more important as we move forward in this election year. Detroit is once again establishing themselves as the pioneers of automobile design and technology. I hope that the new fuel saver technology is a growing phenomenon that spreads contagiously through out the industry. The support of Chrysler and the other American manufacturers is crucial as they continue to re-invent themselves and continue to move forward as the front runners in the automobile industry.