AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
Dec. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
- Latest iteration of workhorse Pentastar V-6 engine from
FCA US delivers significant gains in
fuel economy with innovative eTorque mild-hybrid system
- eTorque combines a belt-driven motor generator unit with a
48-volt battery pack to enable improved fuel efficiency,
drivability, performance and value with quick, seamless stop-start
functions and energy recovery with brake regeneration used to
support increases in towing capacity and payload
- eTorque restarts the engine in half the time of many
starter-driven stop-start systems and adds up to 90 lb.-ft. of
supplemental torque to the crankshaft during stop-start
maneuvers
- Ninth consecutive year and 19th overall that FCA US is represented on Wards 10 Best Engines
list
The editors at WardsAuto have named the proven 3.6-liter
Pentastar V-6 engine with its innovative eTorque mild-hybrid system
as one of Wards 10 Best Engines for 2019.
Making its debut in the all-new 2019 Ram 1500, and rated at 305
horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque, the Pentastar V-6 engine with
eTorque helps to improve fuel economy – without sacrificing
horsepower, torque or capability – and requires no extra effort by
the driver.
Fuel economy is U.S. EPA rated at 20 (city)/25 (highway)/22
(combined) miles per gallon (mpg) in rear-wheel drive and 19
(city)/24 (highway)/21 (combined) mpg in four-wheel-drive Ram 1500
models. The city mpg rating is an 18 percent improvement and the
combined mpg rating is improved 10 percent from the previous
model.
"The Pentastar V-6 engine with eTorque shows how electrifying
components of conventional engines can create magic under the
hood," said Drew Winter, senior
content director at WardsAuto. "The all-new 48-volt mild-hybrid
eTorque system provides a dollop of electrical propulsion during
launch and while shifting gears, creating seamless, buttery smooth
power to the wheels and improved fuel economy.
"Our judges recorded 21 to 22 mpg, outstanding for a full-size,
four-wheel-drive pickup," Winter added. "The power of the eTorque
system also makes the Ram's fuel-saving stop-start system work
almost imperceptibly. It's one of the best around."
The eTorque mild-hybrid system replaces the traditional
alternator on the engine with a belt-driven motor generator unit
that performs several functions. The motor generator unit works
with a 48-volt battery pack to enable improved fuel efficiency,
drivability, performance and value with quick, seamless stop-start
functions and energy recovery with brake regeneration used to
support increases in towing capacity and payload.
With the engine running, eTorque's motor generator unit feeds
48-volt current to a 430 watt-hour lithium-ion nickel manganese
cobalt (NMC)-graphite battery. The battery pack includes a
3-kilowatt DC-to-DC converter to maintain the battery's state of
charge and convert 48 volts to 12 volts to power the Ram 1500's
accessories and charge its conventional 12-volt lead-acid
battery.
The Pentastar V-6 engine with eTorque retains a conventional
12-volt starter motor, used for cold starts and the first start of
the day due to its greater efficiency in extreme temperatures.
eTorque delivers seamless and nearly unnoticeable engine
restarts by sending up to 90 lb.-ft. of supplemental torque to the
crankshaft during stop-start maneuvers. Torque to the wheels
travels within 400 milliseconds, more than twice as fast as many
starter-motor engine stop-start systems.
In addition to spinning the engine for restarts to help launch
the vehicle, eTorque also recaptures energy during deceleration and
braking to charge the battery pack. eTorque also enhances the
driving experience by adding torque to the crankshaft during gear
changes to minimize noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
The liquid-cooled eTorque motor generator is mounted on the
front of the Pentastar engine and employs a pair of belt tensioners
to keep the eight-rib drive belt tight when the unit is generating
electricity or adding torque to the crankshaft.
The newest Pentastar V-6 engine's advanced technologies, such as
wide-range variable valve-timing and two-step variable-valve lift,
deliver the optimal blend of power and fuel economy based on the
driver's demand. A cooled exhaust gas recirculation system enables
improved fuel economy and emissions performance at higher
loads.
The compact, 60-degree, all-aluminum block is constructed of
high strength die-cast T380 aluminum with cast iron bore liners.
Six-bolt main bearing caps contribute to an extremely rigid lower
engine structure. Cast aluminum pistons, treated with a
friction-reducing coating and piston rings, drive forged connecting
rods. Aluminum cylinder heads carry dual-overhead cam shafts, four
valves per cylinder and use high-tumble intake ports. The exhaust
manifolds are integrated with the cast cylinder heads.
A compression ratio of 11.3:1 delivers an optimal balance of
power, fuel efficiency and refinement. Despite the high compression
ratio, the Pentastar V-6 engine with eTorque runs on regular
87-octane fuel to reduce the cost of ownership.
The two-step variable-valve lift (VVL) system remains in
low-lift mode in most driving situations. When the driver demands
more power, VVL switches to high-lift mode for improved
performance.
The variable valve timing system, with dual-independent cam
phasing and 70 degrees of authority, helps reduce pumping losses in
the engine.
"The versatility of our workhorse Pentastar V-6 engine family is
unquestioned, with more than 9 million produced; and this latest
Wards milestone represents the sixth time the 3.6-liter engine has
been recognized with three different iterations," said Bob Lee, Head of Engine Powertrain and
Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineering, FCA-North
America. "With the new eTorque mild-hybrid system, receiving
the Wards 10 Best recognition validates our mission to provide
customers optimal ownership value without sacrificing
performance."
Clean Sweep
With this latest 10 Best Engines recognition, the 2019 Ram 1500 has
earned a sweep of Wards 10 Best honors by being acknowledged on all
three prestigious lists in a single calendar year, including:
- Wards 10 Best User Experiences for 2018 - September 2018
- Ward's 10 Best Interiors for 2018 - April 2018
Wards 10 Best Engines Honors from FCA
US
In the 25-year history of Wards 10 Best Engines, nine
engines/systems produced by FCA US
and its predecessor companies have accounted for 19 winners,
including (engine/latest vehicles tested/years listed) in reverse
chronological order:
- 3.6-liter Pentastar Upgrade with eTorque (Ram 1500): 2019
- 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 hybrid (Chrysler Pacifica):
2017-2018
- 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 (Ram 1500):2014-2016
- 6.2-liter Hellcat supercharged HEMI® V-8 (Dodge Challenger SRT
Hellcat): 2015
- 83-kW electric motor (Fiat 500e): 2014
- 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 (Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 300S, Ram
1500): 2011-2013
- 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 (Dodge Charger R/T, Chrysler 300C, Dodge
Challenger R/T, Ram 1500): 2003-2007, 2009
- 5.9-liter Cummins turbodiesel I-6 (Ram HD): 2004
- 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 (Jeep® Grand Cherokee): 1999
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs,
manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler,
Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT
performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and
Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA
US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler
Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana
Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs,
including Giovanni Agnelli.
FCA US is a member of the Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/
MTA: FCA).
FCA is an international automotive group listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato
Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."
Follow FCA US news and video
on:
Company blog: blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter (Spanish): www.twitter.com/fcausespanol
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica
Media website: media.fcanorthamerica.com
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