Published: April 16, 2009 01:05 am      

Good news for ITP II

THE ISSUE:Chrysler’s new engine

OUR VIEW:Its pairing with Kokomo transmissions should be noted.

It seems bad news in the auto industry dominates national headlines.

Today’s headlines are no exception, with word of rough seas ahead in the negotiations between Fiat Group SpA and Chrysler LLC.

But, you have to take the bad with the good.

And this week, employees at Indiana Transmission Plant II can bask in some good news of their own.

Chrysler’s new Pentastar V-6 engine — part of its overall $3 billion powertrain offensive — will pair with the 5-speed W5A580 transmission built right here in Kokomo.

While Chrysler representatives couldn’t speak directly to a need for additional jobs in the future, they don’t foresee a change in production plans at the Kokomo facility at this time.

The engine will first be offered in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was recently unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. The vehicle’s unveiling ruffled some feathers as it came on the heels of a White House scolding of the automaker’s gas-guzzling lineup.

But, it’s what’s under the hood of the SUV that now has many nay-sayers singing Chrysler’s praises. Some go so far as to say the new engine is the key to Chrysler’s recovery.

It puts out 33 percent more horsepower and 11 percent more torque than its predecessor, and does so with an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy.

The engine is also designed to run on regular gasoline, which Chrysler is touting as a 10 percent reduction in fuel cost compared to premium fueled engines. Plus, it’s a flex-fuel engine, consuming regular gasoline or E85 fuel without taking a hit on performance or emissions.

Ultimately, the more refined and fuel-efficient engine will replace seven engines in Chrysler’s portfolio. It will eventually find its way into Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps.

And with those engines connecting to Kokomo transmissions, that’s very good news for Kokomo workers.