Chrysler Group’s Pentastar V-6 “Three-peats” on Ward’s 10 Best Engines List

December 12, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  Chrysler Group’s Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 has been named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for the third consecutive year.

But even in this elite group, the Pentastar rises to the top. While every other engine on the Ward’s 2013 list was tested in a car, mostly of the sporty variety, the DOHC Pentastar was evaluated in a truck – the 2013 Ram 1500 full-size pickup.

“We are most grateful to Ward’s for this recognition,” says Bob Lee, Chrysler Group Vice President and Head of Engine and Electrified Propulsion Engineering. “It is testament to our efforts to design and build the most efficient, capable and fun-to-drive engines in the industry.”

The Pentastar, which delivers 305 horsepower in the Ram 1500 and has a 269 lb.-ft. peak torque rating, is a mainstay of Chrysler Group’s powertrain lineup. It is available in 13 nameplates, from the Chrysler Town & Country minivan to the Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicle.

The net effect: a 7 percent across-the-board improvement in fuel efficiency.

“The Pentastar combines luxury-car-like refinement with a boatload of low-end torque to create an engine that seems almost too good to be in a pickup,” adds Drew Winter, Editor-in-Chief, Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. “In addition to delivering best-in-class fuel economy and best-in-class towing capacity, it’s just plain classy.”

Coupled with the segment-exclusive TorqueFlite 8-speed transmission, the naturally aspirated Pentastar helps the 2013 Ram 1500 achieve best-in-class fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, trumping trucks that feature engines equipped with turbochargers and direct injection. The Pentastar-powered Ram also has a tow rating of 6,500 lbs., which is unmatched by any other pickup’s standard-equipment V-6.

Model-year 2013 marks the Pentastar’s debut in the Ram 1500. The result is a 42 percent horsepower boost and 13 percent gains in torque and fuel economy, compared with the 3.7L V-6 it replaced.

In select 2013 models of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger full-size sedans, the Pentastar’s output jumps to 300 horsepower from 292 horsepower in model-year 2012. But there is no fuel-economy compromise; the cars also top their segment in V-6 highway fuel economy at 31 mpg.

Designed for ultimate flexibility, the Pentastar accommodates transverse or longitudinal mounting; a 6-speed manual transmission and 5- 6- and 8-speed automatic transmissions; plus the full range of drive systems: front, rear, all-wheel and 4x4. Key features include:

• Variable displacement oil pump
• Exhaust manifold integrated into cylinder head
• Direct-mount accessory drive

When the Pentastar launched with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it marked the beginning of a new era for Chrysler Group’s powertrain portfolio. When all its applications are revealed, it will have replaced seven 6-cylinder engine families.

The Pentastar is the second Chrysler Group engine to record three or more consecutive mentions among Ward’s 10 Best. The first was the 5.7-liter OHV HEMI® V-8, a five-time winner from 2003-2007.

The HEMI® also was the last winner to be tested in a pickup, garnering honors under the hood of a Ram 1500 in 2009.

About Ward’s
Ward's Automotive Group is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data, and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 80 years. WardsAuto World is a monthly magazine serving automotive professionals. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data, and analysis compiled by WardsAuto. Other products include the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, the monthly magazine WardsAuto Dealer Business, and a wealth of information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT, Fiat and Mopar vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group’s culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat’s complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger and Ram 1500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.