LOS ANGELES — The next generation of Chrysler's full-sized, rear-drive cars will exceed tougher fuel economy standards that take effect in two years, says the company's product development chief.
The restyled and re-engineered Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are due for the 2011 model year. "These vehicles will be CAFE-positive," Frank Klegon, executive vice president of product development, said last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The U.S government has not released regulations for the new corporate average fuel economy law, Klegon said, but "we think we know what it is." ?
Essentially, the new federal regulations call for a 4 percent annual increase in fuel economy starting in 2011. The preliminary version of the new rules calls for an industrywide average of 31.6 mpg by 2015. Today's federal standard is 27.5 mpg for cars and 23.1 mpg for light trucks.
Klegon said a combination of modifications including those made to the engine, aerodynamics and axle ratios will contribute to the boost in fuel economy. The current four-speed automatic transmission may be replaced with an eight-speed gearbox.
But he said the biggest factor is a new, more efficient V-6 engine family, code-named Phoenix. The engines will replace all current Chrysler car and light-truck V-6s.
"The engine really creates a great economy of scale for us," said Klegon.
The 2009 Dodge Charger with the 2.7-liter V-6 gets 18 mpg city/26 highway, according to the EPA. The 3.5-liter V-6 has a rating of 17 city/25 highway.
Aerodynamics are another big factor.
"Now that the design office works for me, we have really good discussions about front-wheel coverage and things that are very, very important about aerodynamics," said Klegon, who took direct authority over vehicle styling last summer. "So we are very bullish about the full-sized car and its ability to deliver on the numbers."
參考譯文：
洛杉磯—下一代的克萊斯勒全尺寸、后輪驅(qū)動(dòng)汽車會(huì)超過將于兩年后實(shí)施的更嚴(yán)格的燃油經(jīng)濟(jì)性標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，該公司的產(chǎn)品開發(fā)首席官員說。
重新進(jìn)行過造型和工程設(shè)計(jì)的克萊斯勒300和道奇Charger是將于2011年上市的車型。“這些車輛將具有主動(dòng)的公司平均燃料經(jīng)濟(jì)性，”Frank Klegon，產(chǎn)品開發(fā)執(zhí)行副總裁，在上個(gè)月的洛杉磯車展上這樣說。美國政府還沒有公布新的公司平均燃油經(jīng)濟(jì)性法規(guī)，Klegon說，“但我們認(rèn)為我們知道它是什么?！?/SPAN>
從本質(zhì)上講，新的聯(lián)邦法規(guī)要求燃油經(jīng)濟(jì)性從2011年開始每年增加4%。新法規(guī)的最初版本要求到2015年全行業(yè)平均水平為每加侖行駛31.6英里。而現(xiàn)行的聯(lián)邦標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是轎車每加侖行駛27.5英里和輕卡每加侖行駛23.1英里。
Klegon說，包括了引擎、空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)和車軸的比率等一系列的修改將有助于提升燃油經(jīng)濟(jì)性。目前的4速自動(dòng)變速箱有可能被8速變速箱取代。
但他說，最大的因素是一個(gè)新的更有效的V-6引擎家族，它的代號(hào)是鳳凰。該發(fā)動(dòng)機(jī)將取代目前所有的克萊斯勒轎車和輕型卡車的V-6s引擎。
“對于我們來說，引擎真的創(chuàng)造了巨大的經(jīng)濟(jì)規(guī)模，”Klegon說。
配備了2.7升V-6引擎的2009款道奇Charger得到城市每加侖行駛18英里、公路每加侖行駛25英里的評(píng)級(jí)，根據(jù)美國環(huán)保局的數(shù)據(jù)，3.5升V- 6引擎的評(píng)級(jí)為城市每加侖行駛17英里、公路每加侖行駛25英里。
空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)是另一個(gè)重要因素
“現(xiàn)在，對于在辦公室做設(shè)計(jì)工作的我來說，我們對于前輪覆蓋范圍以及對于空氣動(dòng)力學(xué)非常非常重要的事情都已經(jīng)有了很好的討論，”Klegon說，他在去年夏天直接領(lǐng)導(dǎo)和負(fù)責(zé)汽車的造型工作?！耙虼?，我們非?？春萌叽甾I車以及它所能提供的評(píng)級(jí)?！?/SPAN>
（轉(zhuǎn)載）
