Chrysler to offer 8 speed transmission in 2012 Charger

[Ghoste]

This might not be much of a news events to a lot of us around here but some will be interested.  It is expected to increase mileage of course but in the same vein, I believe it will only be available with the V6 models.  Sorry Bull, I know this was likely the one thing needed to tempt you into the new one but only if you could get it behind the Hemi.

[68pplcharger]

Just curious... How many gears does a car need?? that has got to be one heavy trans. don't see any advantage over a six speed. already has plenty of overdrive and gears in between. I could see having that many if you are pulling a mountain? 

[JPL]

I thought you said Chrysler to offer 8 doors in 2012 Charger....oops 

[PocketThunder]

Just curious... How many gears does a car need?? that has got to be one heavy trans. don't see any advantage over a six speed. already has plenty of overdrive and gears in between. I could see having that many if you are pulling a mountain? 

      

[Chatt69chgr]

The 8-speed referred to is, indeed, being offered in the 2012 Charger with V6 as we speak.  The 8-speed automatic for the V8 application won't appear, most likely, until the 2013 model year.  This transmission is to be built at the Chrysler Kokomo, Indiana plant currently being retooled for this.  The torque converter for this application will be produced at Toledo.  Chrysler just let a $75 million contract to upgrade that plant for that product.  The transmission is a ZF design that Chrysler has secured the license to build.  The ZF design transmission will handle increasing torque levels depending on specific model.  It shifts from one gear to the next in less than 200 milliseconds.  It's advantage is to keep the engine rpm in the range that produces the most torque.  It is claimed to increase milage by approximately 10-15%.  It weighs approximately 200 pounds and uses less parts than the current 5-speed which is an older Mercedes design.  This transmission is already in use in BMW's as well as the Rolls Royce.  Note that ZF is builiding a plant in Columbia, SC to produce a 9-speed for front wheel drive applications.

I drove a 2011 Charger 5.7 Road & Track Version with 3.06 rear end.  In the 30-50 mph range it felt like the transmission was "hunting".  Just didn't feel right.  I think the new ZF trans in the 2013 Charger will be a big improvement over what's available now.  I'm looking to get one for my wife then.

[JPL]

Something else to break.

[Brock Samson]

Why?..
because  it's adding a couple MPG to what is considered a fairly thirsty car. A lot of buyers have been waiting for this Trans. It's goin in the 300s and small Ram trucks too. The new "Blacktop"  version has paddle shifters and an old school style slap stick in the console. 292 HP stock from the new Pentastar V-6 - is a big improvement too. 
but dispite any of this you guys will continue to rag on it cause it's fun. 

[JPL]

Let it prove itself for a couple of years, then it will get my respect.

[Orange_Crush]

Let it prove itself for a couple of years, then it will get my respect.

Ask the driver of any BMW, Rolls Royce, or Audi V-8 or V-12 car built since 2009.  They can give you all the info you need.

The transmission is well proven.

[Orange_Crush]

Incidentally, it brings the EPA mileage of the V-6 Charger from 16/27 to 17/31.

[John_Kunkel]

Here's a pic of it borrowed from Allpar, five clutches and lots of gears.

[JPL]

Let it prove itself for a couple of years, then it will get my respect.

Ask the driver of any BMW, Rolls Royce, or Audi V-8 or V-12 car built since 2009.  They can give you all the info you need.

The transmission is well proven.

When the rest of the quality of the car meets those cars, then we'll talk.

[Orange_Crush]

Let it prove itself for a couple of years, then it will get my respect.

Ask the driver of any BMW, Rolls Royce, or Audi V-8 or V-12 car built since 2009.  They can give you all the info you need.

The transmission is well proven.

I would put the quality of the Charger up against the quality of ANY BMW Audi Mercedes, or Porsche.  I know and am related to enough people who have owned all four to know that their reputation for quality is undeserved and is probably a result of being too embarrassed to tell your friends that you paid that much money for garbage.

When the rest of the quality of the car meets those cars, then we'll talk.

[CrAzYMoPaRGuY]

Let it prove itself for a couple of years, then it will get my respect.

Ask the driver of any BMW, Rolls Royce, or Audi V-8 or V-12 car built since 2009.  They can give you all the info you need.

The transmission is well proven.

When the rest of the quality of the car meets those cars, then we'll talk.

LOL!
I think you'll find the PRICE would also have to match.....?

[JPL]

Let it prove itself for a couple of years, then it will get my respect.

Ask the driver of any BMW, Rolls Royce, or Audi V-8 or V-12 car built since 2009.  They can give you all the info you need.

The transmission is well proven.

I would put the quality of the Charger up against the quality of ANY BMW Audi Mercedes, or Porsche.  I know and am related to enough people who have owned all four to know that their reputation for quality is undeserved and is probably a result of being too embarrassed to tell your friends that you paid that much money for garbage.

Please, mind you, I'm not Charger bashing, but being around Chryslers and owning Chryslers for a while, I heard it all before. I do want to be the first in line for a quality Chrysler product, and I do think they are headed in the right direction, albeit Fiat owned, but I think they still have a ways to go. Only time will tell.

[69rtse4spd]

But how long till someone puts it in a B-body.  .

[TruckDriver]

Just curious... How many gears does a car need?? that has got to be one heavy trans. don't see any advantage over a six speed. already has plenty of overdrive and gears in between. I could see having that many if you are pulling a mountain? 

No kidding. Now your talking more then some semi trucks. Pretty soon, there will be 18 spd transmissions too

[Dino]

No kidding. Now your talking more then some semi trucks. Pretty soon, there will be 18 spd transmissions too

McQueen's mustang in Bullitt had had around that many didn't it?   

[472 R/T SE]

No kidding. Now your talking more then some semi trucks. Pretty soon, there will be 18 spd transmissions too

McQueen's mustang in Bullitt had had around that many didn't it?   

Whatever it took to try & keep up with that black Charger. 

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Why?..
because  it's adding a couple MPG to what is considered a fairly thirsty car. A lot of buyers have been waiting for this Trans. It's goin in the 300s and small Ram trucks too. The new "Blacktop"  version has paddle shifters and an old school style slap stick in the console. 292 HP stock from the new Pentastar V-6 - is a big improvement too. 
but dispite any of this you guys will continue to rag on it cause it's fun. 

Let's stop at the first sentence.  Why?  The EPA, and CAFE standards.  Everything needs to be more fuel efficient.  Period.

Is it worth it?  IMHO, no, but this is how we live without people being honest in their voting.

[bull]

Sorry Bull, I know this was likely the one thing needed to tempt you into the new one but only if you could get it behind the Hemi.

Yes, this is the news I've been waiting for.

[BrianShaughnessy]

  I think it's a pretty cool deal myself.     Obviously some people on this board will always be stuck in the last century and that's the way it'll be.

  But for anybody looking forward to some new technological advances,  it will enhance your driving experience.    Obviously it's not really suited to our classic Chargers although I'm sure somebody will try it if they haven't already.

  The other day I was cruising around in Bold Beeper with the new TCI 6-speed auto      It's a BIG handful of a mod to say the least and definitely not for the faint hearted or
trailer queen owner.   Seems like 6 speeds is an awful lot but it takes out a lot of that inbetween bullchit without sacrificing firm shifting.     I can't say for sure if I think 8 speeds is more
helpful than 6...  but anybody that has owned a car with a 5 or 6 speed manual probably appreciates that trans as much as I do mine.   

[bull]

  I think it's a pretty cool deal myself.     Obviously some people on this board will always be stuck in the last century and that's the way it'll be.

If that's all you think it is you're sadly mistaken or don't understand many of the countless explanations that have been posted here on the topic.

[BrianShaughnessy]

  I think it's a pretty cool deal myself.     Obviously some people on this board will always be stuck in the last century and that's the way it'll be.

If that's all you think it is you're sadly mistaken or don't understand many of the countless explanations that have been posted here on the topic.

You're sadly mistaken if you think I give a shit about your opinions.

[bull]

  I think it's a pretty cool deal myself.     Obviously some people on this board will always be stuck in the last century and that's the way it'll be.

If that's all you think it is you're sadly mistaken or don't understand many of the countless explanations that have been posted here on the topic.

You're sadly mistaken if you think I give a shit about your opinions.

I think yours is more of a comprehension problem. But your attitude is a problem too. Have a nice day.

[Rustymuscle]

I believe it will only be available with the V6 models.

Actually, one of the many good things to report about the new ZF 8-speed transmission, is that, according to Chrysler's blog, the new 8-speed will be available in the "2012 Dodge Charger SE, SXT and R/T models, as well as the high-performance SRT8."

Here's a snap shot of the new shifter:



In addition to the "four mile-per-gallon increase...to an EPA-rated 31 mpg," the new transmission helps cut down "emissions...by nearly 11%." All of this helps boost Chrysler's average MPG, securing a future of high-horsepower, naturally-aspirated HEMI-powered RWD Mopars.

While, I and most performance enthusiasts would advocate the inclusion of a manual 6-speed option for the R/T and SRT8 Chargers, the ZF 8-speed promises "sporty, quick shifts...possible as a result of multiple parameters through a Sport shift mode that requires simple driver input. At the rear of the shifter is a gate that allows for down- and up-shifting by the driver. Once the vehicle is in the Sport mode, the driver can use either the console-mounted shifter or a pair of paddle controls located on the steering wheel."

[Roger 68 charger]