Chrysler Pentastar V-6 Engine Repeats with '10 Best Engines' From Ward’s Auto

December 8, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  Chrysler Group’s Pentastar 3.6 – liter V-6 engine once again has been recognized by the editors of Ward’s Automotive as one of the “10 Best Engines”.

“Every year, Ward’s Auto recognizes the industry leaders in engine technology,” said Drew Winter, editor at Ward’s Auto. “Chrysler has successfully demonstrated the breadth of this engine and how it delivers on all fronts including fuel economy, lower emissions and power."

Named to the exclusive group of engines last year after its introduction in the 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar V-6 engine is now standard or available on Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey and Caravan. For 2012, the Pentastar 3.6-liter engine also is now standard on the new Jeep Wrangler.

Editors tested the 2012 Jeep Wrangler and the Chrysler 300 in this year’s shootout.

Designed to meet a variety of requirements across both front-and rear-drive models, the Pentastar V-6 also is the exclusive engine used with the new eight-speed automatic transmission on Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models. The engine and transmission combination deliver 31 miles-per-gallon (mpg) on the highway.

On Jeep Wrangler, the 3.6-liter engine improved fuel efficiency to 21 mpg on the highway while delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque, improvement s of 40 and 10 percent, respectively.

"We are continuing development of advance technologies, which will be applied to the Pentastar V-6 as they become available, for even more fuel efficiency and performance,” said Bob Lee, vice president and head of engine and electrified propulsion engineering, Chryler Group LLC.