2011 Chrysler 300 will get an eight-speed automatic

Speaking to Automotive News, Chrysler's product development vice-president Frank Klegon tried to assure the brand's loyal customers that the struggling automaker is indeed working on new models and that the upcoming 2011 Chrysler 300 and its sibling 2011 Dodge Charger will be much more fuel efficient than the current version.

In fact, they will easily beat the yet to be officially set 2011 CAFE standards.

Starting in 2011, the new CAFE regulations will demand an annual increase in fuel economy of about 4 percent. With such a healthy rate of improvements, the industry wide fuel efficiency average will reach 31.6 mpg. At this time, reports Automotive News, the federal standard is 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks. While GM has recently slashed plans on production of the Holden VE Commodore-based 2011 Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler still hopes that it will have no problem meeting -and even beating- the new regulations.

The key to reaching this rather ambitious target is more efficient aerodynamics, and a new, much more efficient V6 Phoenix engine featuring dual variable valve timing, two-stage oil-pump and an MDS cylinder deactivation technology. To make the cars even more efficient, Chrysler also plans to equip the 2011 models with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which will probably be outsourced from ZF, Aisin or some other independent supplier.

Although, currently an eight-speed gearbox is more or less an expensive exotics powering luxury cars like the 2007 Lexus LS and Lexus IS-F, in the nearest future these advanced transmission will be employed in the 2010 Hyundai Genesis sedan, the Audi Q7 SUV, and in some Cadillac models.

Note: 2005 Chrysler 300c pictured

See also: Chrysler 300 Touring DUB Edition