Fiat dual-clutch transmissions are planned for North American products

During the next five years, Chrysler Group's powertrain lineup will be transformed from one dominated by larger-displacement engines to one dominated by Fiat-derived four-cylinder engines, V6s and, eventually, electric vehicles. Chrysler also said Wednesday that it will add Fiat-designed dual-clutch transmissions in its North American products. The company also will launch its new Pentastar V6 engine on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the second quarter next year, said Paolo Ferrero, Chrysler's powertrain chief.

Mini coupe first official pictures and video

Mini coupe JCW (2011) CAR review Mini Roadster (2012) first official pictures After the endless teaser stories and photos of cars wearing vestigal disguise, Mini has finally released full details of its cut down, uglied-up two-seat Coupe. The fifth – and most ludicrous - Mini shape comes in Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD and John Cooper Works forms and, according to BMW, promises to reward keen drivers with ‘a level of handling and agility unmatched in the small car segment’. We think current champs RenaultSport might have something to say about that.

Toyota talks powertrain plans

After trailing many of its competitors in the recent engine- and transmission-technology wars, Toyota Motor Corp. will launch a swath of powertrains in the next several years, a top powertrain r&d executive said. Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain r&d, said that Toyota is investing heavily in turbocharged engines, larger displacement Atkinson cycle engines, continuously variable and fixed-gear automatic transmissions, and new hybrid and fuel cell technologies.