2007 Chrysler Aspen: Engineering
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Contact: Colin McBean Todd Goyer 2007 Chrysler Aspen Offers Unmatched Capability and Performance in a Premium Package Best-in-class V-8 power with fuel-saving MDS technology Best-in-class refinement Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) First-in-class Trailer Sway Control September 21, 2006, Auburn Hills, Mich. - The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen is engineered to deliver a confident, powerful, refined and highly capable driving experience, providing a new level of ride quality in the full-size SUV market. Power is delivered with efficiency, the ride is plush yet controlled, steering is crisp and direct, braking is strong and assured, and the cabin features best-in- class refinement. “We combined a superior suspension configuration with best-in-class power and capability to make the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen a unique offering in the luxury SUV market,” said Mike Donoughe, Vice President – Body-on-frame Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Adding to the formula, Chrysler Group’s fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) and flexible fuel technology provide Chrysler Aspen owners V-8 power with the fuel efficiency of smaller full- size SUVs.” Best-in-class Power With Fuel-saving Technology The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen provides best-in-class horsepower and torque with the towing and hauling capability of a large SUV and the fuel efficiency of smaller full-size SUVs. “With the most powerful engine in its class — the 5.7-liter HEMI ® V-8 — the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen delivers unrivaled capability and performance with fuel-saving MDS technology,” said Donoughe. “Impressive off-the-line acceleration combined with enough torque to tow 8,950 lbs., Chrysler Aspen is a premium SUV where beauty is backed with brawn.” The optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine — featuring Chrysler Group’s fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) — delivers best-in-class 335 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque. Without compromising performance, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen’s HEMI V-8 engine seamlessly alternates between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. Chrysler Aspen’s standard powertrain is the 235-horsepower 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine with 300 lb.-ft. of torque, providing a smooth and responsive performance. Featuring standard E85-compatibility, the 4.7-liter V-8 engine earns the Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) designation that provides customers the option of operating Aspen on ethanol, gasoline or a mixture of the two. Both the 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter V-8 engines are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. When towing, Chrysler Aspen’s “Tow/Haul” transmission provides crisp shifts and reduces gear searching by holding the lower gear longer. The system will also select a lower gear under downhill conditions in order to utilize the engine’s braking capability. Best-in-class Refinement Providing customers best-in-class refinement — a significant contributor to overall ride comfort — is a result of extensive body-mount tuning and sound-deadening techniques. New air induction systems incorporated with Chrysler Aspen’s two V-8 engines, as well as uniquely tuned resonators, reduce engine sound in the cabin by an average of four decibels across the entire engine speed range. In addition, Pre-loaded Elastomeric Bushings (PLEBs) located on front powertrain mounts isolate engine vibration from the frame. PUR® (expandable polyurethane) foam is injected into 12 different locations on the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen in order to reduce road and wind noise in the cabin. Sealing of body seams, door handles, outside mirrors, windows and doors also significantly reduces wind noise, creating a refined and relaxing interior environment. Chrysler Aspen’s thick laminated windshield, combined with Polymer Constrained Layer (PCL) on the dash panel, provides a high level of sound dampening. In addition, tunnel and hood silencers, and liners in rear cargo bins reduce low-frequency noise from entering the cabin. Solid Foundation The foundation of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen is a fully-boxed, hydroformed frame that provides robust stiffness and strength. The frame provides a stable platform to base suspension tuning and drivetrain refinement, and provides optimum performance during frontal, offset and rear-impact events. Hydroformed front and rear sections and a roll-formed center rail provide significant stiffness and dimensional control. Chrysler Aspen’s frame is constructed from fully enclosed section rails, where front and rear rails are hydroformed, providing increased strength. Center-rail sections are roll-formed from high-strength steel. A significant safety feature of the Chrysler Aspen frame is the octagonal front rail tips. These octagonal crush tubes feature indentations that initiate the tubes to collapse rearward in a controlled manner during a frontal or offset front impact. Chrysler Aspen offers a Skid Plate Group — consisting of fuel tank and transfer case skid plates and two front tow hooks — with four-wheel-drive models. Optimized Suspension Chrysler Aspen features a smooth, quiet and precise driving experience — benefits of an independent front suspension and Watt linkage rear suspension that is finely tuned to deliver superior ride, handling and towing performance. “The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen provides exceptional handling that sets a new standard for SUVs,” said Donoughe. “From twisting, winding roads to narrow city streets to dirt or snow-covered trails, Chrysler Aspen provides sure-footed grip and responsiveness.” Chrysler Aspen two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models share a common torsion bar, double wishbone independent front suspension that offers a plush ride, yet provides drivers with handling performance that is well- connected to the road. Aluminum upper control arms reduce unsprung mass for improved suspension response to road inputs, while Chrysler Aspen’s lower control arms are made of cast iron for durability. A link-type stabilizer bar reduces and effectively controls body lean to provide a comfortable and stable ride. In addition, the torsion bar cross member is connected to the frame by elastomeric spool bushings to help isolate Chrysler Aspen’s cabin from road noise. The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen’s link-coil, solid-axle rear suspension utilizes four trailing arms that feature tubular steel construction for strength and durability and a Watt linkage system for precise lateral control. The rear suspension supports a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,700 lbs. and towing capacity of 8,950 lbs. Monotube shock absorbers are featured with Chrysler Aspen’s front and rear suspension, providing quick response to road inputs for better ride control and improved handling. Precise Rack-and-pinion Steering System All Chrysler Aspen models feature rack-and-pinion steering, achieving precise on-center feel, steering response and durability. “Chrysler Aspen’s steering system immediately communicates precision, performance and ease of maneuverability to the driver,” said Donoughe. Unique for a full-size SUV, Chrysler Aspen’s steering system provides a precise linear feel, making the vehicle feel smaller than its size. Calibration of steering gear valves, steering geometry and isolator bushing sizes contribute to superior on-center feel. Low-friction bearings in the steering column and small angular offsets along the steering column contribute to accurate steering response and better driver feedback. In addition to dynamic performance, Chrysler Aspen is able to manage a tight 39.9-ft. turning circle, ideal for tight- turning situations. To keep road noise and harshness from reaching the steering wheel, the steering angle and response is fine-tuned, and rubber isolators are incorporated to improve steering feel and precision. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen features standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe driving maneuvers on any type of surface. ESP helps the driver maintain stability by applying selective braking and engine control, within the limits of available traction, to maintain the vehicle’s intended course. Chrysler Aspen’s ESP system includes Hydraulic Brake Assist, Traction Control, Brake Lock Differentials and Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM). First-in-class Trailer Sway Control A first-in-class Trailer Sway Control system is standard on the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen. The system monitors the vehicle’s movement relative to the driver’s intended path and senses trailer sway. By applying selective brake pressure and engine control, Trailer Sway Control counteracts the yaw induced by a trailer. The system will continue to apply alternating brake pressure and reduce engine torque until the trailer is under control. Chrysler Aspen’s available Trailer Tow Group features a trailer hitch receiver integrated with the rear bumper beam, heavy-duty engine cooling, auxiliary transmission cooler, power steering cooler, 160-amp alternator, and 750 CCA battery. In addition, a wiring harness includes 7-circuit and 4-circuit connectors. Powerful Brakes The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen’s standard four-wheel-disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS) provide outstanding stopping ability and responsiveness. The brakes’ boosters provide two force multiplication rates, with an initial application that multiplies the actuation force by a factor of seven, and if more deceleration is needed, the multiplication factor increases to 10.5. This gives the driver confidence stopping in traffic situations or when pulling a trailer. Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), a standard feature of the ABS system, effectively balances front-to-rear braking. In addition, EBD minimizes instances of rear-wheel anti-lock action by applying hydraulic pressure to the brakes. Two Four-wheel-drive Systems The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen offers two all-wheel-drive electric-shift transfer cases. A single-speed transfer case is standard with 4x4 models that feature the 4.7-liter V-8 engine. The single-speed transfer case provides all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive “Lock” operating modes.