2004 Chrysler Sebring Gtc Convertible on 2040-cars

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FCA's Pentastar V6 gets more power, efficiency for 2016

Already a vital member of FCA's powertrain lineup, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is receiving major efficiency improvements for 2016. Thanks to a massive amount of new tech attached to the mill, fuel economy is up six percent, and torque below 3,000 rpm jumps nearly 15 percent. The updates arrive first in the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but they should proliferate to other models eventually. At least in the Grand Cherokee, the tweaks push power up five horsepower to 295 ponies. FCA's engineers went through the Pentastar from top to bottom to eke out as much efficiency as possible. For example, there's now a two-speed variable-valve lift system that can run in low- or high-lift modes. This upgrade is responsible for 2.7-percent better economy, the company claims. A new intake manifold with longer runners and updated variable-valve times also helps boost the torque output. Further improvements come from pushing the compression ratio to 11.3:1, from 10.2:1 before. Perhaps most impressive is that despite all of the innovations, the latest Pentastar actually weighs four pounds less than the current version. Beyond the Pentastar improvements, all of the FCA US gasoline engines, except for the Viper's 8.4-liter V10, will be E15-compatible for 2016. The company says that it wants to be ready for the higher ethanol content fuel's greater use in the near future.

Chrysler recalling 780k minivans over fire risk

Chrysler is recalling 780,000 of its Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2010 to 2014 model years due to the possibility of circuits overheating, which can lead to a fire. Of the 780,000 total vans being recalled, Chrysler estimates that 644,850 are in the US, 106,980 are in Canada, 8,009 are in Mexico, and 20,638 are in other markets. All of the affected vehicles were built between August 25, 2010 and October 31, 2013.
Chrysler's engineers discovered that beverage spills or exposure to moisture (from rain, snow, car washes, and the like) were linked to circuits shorting in the window switch assembly. Short circuits can overheat, and thus, cause a fire.
Chrysler will contact owners and let them know when they may schedule service, at which point, the window switches will be replaced. In the interim, the automaker says that owners may visit their dealers after May 14 to have the switches disconnected.

The Plug-In Hybrid Chrysler Pacifica | Translogic 212

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know that minivans have a bit of a rep for being uncool. The poor minivan has been relegated to that of a tool solely intended to get kids to and from soccer games. Here at Autoblog, we're already proponents of the minivan for its incredibly utility and under-the-radar, nearly hipster-like ironic coolness. This year, the good folks at Chrysler are working to change the soccer-mom stereotype by giving its people-hauler a much needed injection of style, lots of new tech, and a plug-in hybrid option in the form of the new Pacifica. Translogic host Jonathon Buckley sat down with Matt McAlear, Senior Manager of Chrysler Brand Product Marketing to discuss how Chrysler went from inventing the segment all the way back in 1984 to reinventing it in 2016. Matt explains that not only is the Pacifica "...the first hybrid in the minivan segment," but it's alsm one of the most functional hybrids available. With room for 7 passengers plus cargo and 30 miles of all-electric range, the features on the van are nothing to scoff at. After the chat, Bucko takes the minivan to someone who will be able to appreciate it even more than him, a mom of two. Click here to find more episodes of Translogic Click here to learn more about our host, Jonathon Buckley