Chrysler LLC Announces Barrage of New Engineering and Technology Innovations

**rickaren** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 11:48 AM

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 14 /PRNewswire/ --

Available on 2009 Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge models

- Customer benefits: improved fuel economy, performance, flexibility and
convenience

- In-vehicle wireless Internet connectivity: coming from Mopar(R) by year
end

- Rear Cross Path: Chrysler-exclusive system warns drivers of approaching
traffic in the parking lot aisle during back-up maneuvers

- Blind Spot Monitoring: exclusive to Chrysler and Dodge in minivan
segment

- Active transfer case combined with front-axle disconnect: independent
technologies offered together only by Chrysler

- Rear-seat swivel screen: yet another Chrysler exclusive

- Enhanced voice-activated in-vehicle communications system

- Knowledge Based Engineering: vastly improves vehicle development time

Chrysler LLC will introduce a wide array of new, innovative and -- in
most cases -- industry-first technologies, all designed to enhance the
customer experience, the company announced here today at the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress.

"Chrysler has always been known as an engineering company, and the
announcement of these features coming to our lineup in 2009 further drives
that point home," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President -- Product
Development, Chrysler LLC. "In today's market, Chrysler's mission is to
bring innovation to market more quickly, ultimately resulting in more
customer satisfaction and convenience. Each of these unique Chrysler
technologies delivers on that mission."

Included in the new technologies are an in-vehicle wireless Internet
connectivity system, Rear Cross Path and Blind Spot Monitoring systems, a
uniquely combined active transfer case and front-axle disconnect system,
and a host of in-vehicle connectivity and entertainment systems that offer
added customer benefit and convenience.

In-vehicle wireless Internet connectivity

Chrysler is diligently working on an advanced, in-vehicle wireless
system to provide increased security and convenience far beyond anything
available today. The system will provide high-speed data transfer and
convenience, combining WiFi and 4G connectivity for a new level of wireless
technology.

This system will transform the vehicle into a "hot spot" to deliver
Internet and e-mail access, and movie and music download capability
directly to the vehicle.

While Chrysler will offer this technology in future model-year
vehicles, an aftermarket in-vehicle "hot-spot" wireless Internet capability
is planned through Mopar(R) in 2008.

Rear Cross Path

An industry exclusive, Chrysler's Rear Cross Path system warns drivers
who are backing out of parking spaces of traffic moving toward their
vehicle, but outside the driver's field of vision. Drivers are notified of
vehicle(s) crossing behind their vehicle via an illuminated icon on the
sideview mirror, and with an audible chime. Rear Cross Path operates any
time the vehicle is in Reverse.

Rear Cross Path will be available on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country
and Dodge Grand Caravan.

Blind Spot Monitoring

Chrysler's Blind Spot Monitoring system aids drivers when changing
lanes if being passed by vehicles or when vehicles are positioned in the
blind spot zone. Drivers are notified of a potential hazard via an
illuminated icon on the sideview mirror, and if the turn signal is
operated, an audible chime can act as an additional warning. Blind Spot
Monitoring -which uses dual ultra- wideband radar sensors -- is active any
time the vehicle is moving forward.

Blind Spot Monitoring will be available on the 2009 Chrysler Town &
Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. No other minivan on the market offers this
technology.

Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect

No other major manufacturer offers these two independent technologies
together. In doing so, Chrysler's unique system seamlessly transitions
between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention.
When all- wheel-drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects
the front axle and opens the transfer case from the drivetrain to reduce
friction and rotational mass. The system provides optimal traction,
performance, safety and an improvement in fuel economy of one mile per
gallon.

Chrysler's combined active transfer case and front-axle disconnect
system will be available on the 2009 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.

Rear-seat Swivel Screen

Already featuring the industry's most capable and sophisticated
rear-seat entertainment system, Chrysler enhances its system for 2009 with
an exclusive swivel third-row screen to allow passengers facing to the rear
of the vehicle, via Chrysler's Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system, to view the
screen.

Chrysler's Vehicle Entertainment System includes dual DVD players and
screens that deliver a variety of programming choices, with ports to
connect games and portable media players. The driver and front-seat
passenger have the ability to access all video sources on the
front-passenger screen.

Chrysler continues to offer exclusive SIRIUS Backseat TV: live family
TV programming delivered directly to the vehicle.

The exclusive Chrysler third-row rear-seat swivel screen is available
on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, while the
Chrysler Vehicle Entertainment System is available on the 2009 Chrysler
Aspen, 300, Sebring, Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee, Commander and Dodge Durango,
Charger, Ram, Journey, Avenger and Nitro.

Enhanced voice-activated in-vehicle communications system

Chrysler's UConnect(R) Bluetooth(R) hands-free system recognizes more
than 100,000 words and is capable of learning new words. Voice commands can
input addresses to the navigation system, select satellite radio stations
and access voice mail.

New for 2009, the hands-free system automatically downloads up to 1,000
phone book entries per phone. The enhanced 2009 Chrysler voice-activated
system is available on the 2009 Chrysler Aspen, 300, Sebring, Town &
Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Liberty, Patriot, Compass and
Dodge Grand Caravan, Charger, Challenger, Nitro, Durango, Dakota, Ram,
Caliber, Avenger and Journey.

Full iPod(R) integration into the audio system also is available on the
2009 Chrysler Town & Country, 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, Compass,
Patriot and Dodge Grand Caravan, Challenger, Charger and Journey.

Knowledge Based Engineering

In addition to the host of new innovations offered on 2009 Chrysler,
Jeep and Dodge vehicles, Chrysler's product development team has created
its unique Knowledge Based Engineering system to speed vehicle development
time. Using the company's proprietary software, engineering data and
knowledge, engineers were able to develop the all-new Dodge Challenger in
just 21 months, chopping several months off the normal vehicle development
time.

The Knowledge Based Engineering process is now in widespread use at
Chrysler, with a goal of speeding development time on all future Chrysler
vehicles.

SOURCE Chrysler LLC