Special Report: Chrysler Group World Engine

Chrysler Group engineering led the development of key technologies that give customers high-value benefits in cost-efficient engines. These technologies appear on the Chrysler Group version of the World Engine, co-developed by DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation for the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA).

The Chrysler Group delivers customer benefits with this series of engines, including significant refinements in sound quality, improvements in fuel efficiency, world-class horsepower and torque and reductions in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Our engineers leveraged the cost savings of the GEMA program to give customers the valuable benefits they desire with these premium technologies.

Aggressive performance and fuel-economy targets were achieved through advanced cylinder head port and intake-manifold design — Chrysler Group core competencies — and technologies not typically found in engines of this class. These technologies include dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and intake-manifold design with flow control valves, both launched in the U.S. first in Chrysler Group versions of the World Engine.

Engines of three different displacements are available in Chrysler Group vehicles: 1.8-liter, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter. The horsepower and torque figures are among the best four-cylinder engines — 172 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque for the 2.4-liter. All three engines are available in the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber and the 2.4-liter engine is the standard engine in the 2007 Jeep® Compass.

Fuel economy is a key factor in the four-cylinder market, and the Chrysler Group continues to find ways to offer better performance in this area. These engines raise the efficiency by 5 percent over the engines they replace. These technologies also enable the engines to meet the ultra-clean ULEV II emissions standards.

Just one example of giving customers benefits from high-value technology is Variable Valve Timing with continuously variable phasing on both the intake and exhaust valves. Dual VVT is currently found only on higher-cost performance and luxury engines – the Chrysler Group is the first to offer it in the U.S. in entry-level vehicles, giving customers better fuel economy and performance.

Chrysler Group has a high standard for sound quality and minimal NVH in Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. To meet these standards, even in entry-level vehicles, engineers addressed NVH through several unique measures. An isolated valve cover and a damped oil pan reduce sound at the top and bottom of the engine. A variety of select-fit parts minimize NVH. Engine idle smoothness is improved through dual VVT technology and the flow control valve intake manifold.

This series of engines marks several firsts for the Chrysler Group:

• Dual Variable Valve Timing
• Intake charge-motion flow control valves
• High-pressure, die-cast aluminum four-cylinder engine block
• Direct-acting mechanical bucket tappet valvetrain

In addition to these unique attributes, these engines deliver world-class quality and durability. These engines have benefited from the contributions and commitment of all three partners.

Hyundai led the development of the base engine, and the Chrysler Group made significant engineering contributions to the engine design. Through the involvement of all three automakers, durability testing for World Engine included 15 million customer-equivalent miles. Additionally, the partners shared best practices and lessons learned from past and current experiences, resulting in improved refinement, quality and durability.

This family of engines for the Chrysler Group is manufactured at the GEMA plants in Dundee, Mich.