Nine-speed auto for Chrysler Group brands this year

dodge-dart

The Chrysler Group is set to introduce nine-speed automatic transmissions in its cars this year. Autonews reports that the Fiat-owned American company may have as many as 200,000 units of the ZF 9HP gearbox that will eventually go in three new models.

They are the successor to the Jeep Liberty, the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan and the Dodge Dart compact sedan, CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed in Detroit. The nine-speed transmission is the “future of the front- wheel drive and all-wheel drive world for Chrysler,” added Marchionne, who is also Fiat boss.

It has been said that Marchionne is relying on Chrysler to offset Fiat’s losses in crisis-hit Europe. The sharp-looking Dodge Dart’s debut last year was hampered by powertrain choices – the Alfa Giulietta-based sedan was initially shipped with only a manual, before a Fiat-sourced six-speed dual-clutch transmission joined. DCTs are popular in Europe, but less so in America. The nine-speed auto addresses this.

dodge-dart-rear

Nine speeds sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Some clearly don’t think so. It has been reported that Hyundai and Ford/GM are working on 10-speed automatics! Click here and here to read more.

Once in trouble, the Chrysler Group is doing surprisingly well in America. While analysts expected the company to lose market share, Chrysler’s annual sales jumped more than any major automaker other than Toyota and Honda last year – US sales rose 21% to 1.65 million units.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Well, maybe by then all camry will be fitted with 6 speed gearbox.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Not to be any insult to his Peterness or the loyal Kia fans, but the first thing that came to mind when i saw the Dodge Dart is a Kia K3.

    Honestly, the Fiat-Chrysler group does the best turnover I have ever seen in an automobile company. Because none of their products in Malaysia , we can’t see the HUGE design and quality jump in their cars, even better than the kimchis as far as design goes. Bravo! Mechionne , Congrats! Chrysler.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • PauKaya on Jan 22, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    manual…manual…manual…auto sucks

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • Kalun on Jan 22, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    When I saw any new SRT Viper, it really reminds me that its still a ferrari because Fiat owned Ferrari, Lancia and Chrysler

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mark forever on Jan 22, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    Dodge Dart! bring it to malaysia, please NAZA.
    In US, it’s priced similarly to Honda Jazz, Kia Rio 1.6MPI 6 speeder.

    Please bring it here and CKD it!
    Challenge Preve! put preve/Tuah to shame!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
    • i think DRB is handling fiat already and it was mentioned somewhere that dodge will not be coming to this part of the world. only fiat will be sold in this region. but will be nice to see dodge though. i prefer the dodge dart to its fiat viaggio sibling.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sam lu on Jan 22, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    VW 7 speed DSG,BMW 8 speed and now 9 speed for American brand.Junk toyota???only 4 speed hahahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • chrysler can “donate” 1 or 2 ratio to my new camry 2.0 and they still at least a 7 speed transmission. i feel so frustated wth umw toyota..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • kadajawi on Jan 22, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      Overseas Toyota also 6 speed or more, or CVT. Toyota only sucks in Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • qwerty on Jan 23, 2013 at 12:33 pm

      dude, Toyota (Lexus) is the first brand to introduce 8-speed, not any other, alright? There should be a limit to unnecessary bashing.

      And if Toyota wants to, it can always produce a 10-speed or more faster than anyone else, because they own Aisin, the biggest gearbox manufacturer. Even GM sources engines from Aisin.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • BOYRACER on Jan 22, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    I imagine in the next 40 years we may have 20 or 30 speed gearboxes.No more manual by then.How to shift that many ratios.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Whilst other makes are adding more gears to their transmissions, Toyota chugs along with their antiquated 4-speed automatic tranny, at least in Malaysia.

    Sam Loo couldn’t care less as all he cares is RV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nissan on Jan 23, 2013 at 2:05 am

    somehow the headlamp looks like a saga

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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