Chrysler Announces New Engines
Leading the charge is a new four-cylinder engine borrowed from Fiat. While the 100-horespower, 1.4-liter engine packs variable valve timing to increase efficiency and a turbo version puts out 170 hp and 170 pounds-feet of torque, we’re a bit shocked at what Fiat calls the engine. The company is not only importing the technology but the name as well: Fully Integrated Robotized Engine, or FIRE.
Seriously. They call it FIRE. In a country where drivers traditionally don’t like to associate flames with their cars’ engines, we’re unsure why it was included in any U.S. press or marketing materials.
The FIRE engines will see their first duty in the Fiat 500 when it goes on sale late this year.
A larger four-cylinder engine called the World Gas Engine, or WGE – it may sound boring, but at least it doesn’t conjure images of exploding cars – will likely be found under the hoods of the company’s midsize cars like the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring. The 190 hp, 2.4-liter engine makes 175 pounds-feet of torque and should get better fuel economy than the current offerings in those cars, which have a combined 24 mpg.
An all-new V-6 engine will see action in the company’s large sedans like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger and SUVs like the 2011 Grand Cherokee, which is the first model to officially be attached to it. It’s a 280-hp, 3.6-liter engine that makes 260 pounds-feet of torque, and the company says it will get 11% better fuel economy over the engine it replaces. In the Grand Cherokee, that’s currently a combined 18 mpg.
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I do hope it's not to late for Chrysler, they have some really nice designs a few are quite distinctive standing out from the crowd. To bad they've been building crap for so long many a customer has fled.
Chevrolet used to have a engine called a BLUEFLAME Desoto had a FIREDOME
I don't think Fire Engines are that bad. At least better than Ambulance.
I think FIRE is better than the idea of getting WGEs from your engines.
chrysler should improve their car designs.. But some of their cars look great actually. And for a luxury car, it should have that luxurious design.
Chrysler has no identity anymore. This company doesn't know what it wants to be. They have no competetive family car, compact, SUV, crossover, and now their minivans are overtaken by Honda and Toyota. Chrysler just does not have a leg to stand on.
Anyone remember the FIATs from the '70's? Their DOHC engines literally melted down after a couple of years. Looking at current European reliability reports, FIAT is still near the bottom, so nothing much has changed. FIRE may end up being an appropriate name for these junk Chryslers powered by junk FIAT engines.
Fiat Have been calling their engines Fire for over 20 years. What on earth is the problem with that?
Fiat engines have always been very reliable. In the UK the engines and cars were at the pinnacle of engine technology when they were launched. Double overhead cams, 16V heads, all round disc brakes, 5 speed gearboxes. The cars used to rust (due to cheap russian steel), but mechanically they were excellent. We have had Cryslers in the UK, like the Neon and Voyager and compared to Fiats and other European cars they are crude and a bit of a joke. Fiat will add new technology which will give better gas mileage and better performance. Don't knock the engines until you try them. they are very technologically advanced.
This one is really a very nice picture for us I am very excited about this one.Chrysler made very nice steps for 2011.
i am so dissapointed in this move chrystler needs to stick with the hemi and put it in every car they can imagine the srt-8 models are some of the fastest cars and my dodge ram srt-10 can smoke da $hit out of anybodys car on this site
"I think FIRE is better than the idea of getting WGEs from your engines."
I agree with that