Chrysler Group has put the brakes on a planned roll-out of its first dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the automaker works on refinement issues.

The 2012 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger mid-sized sedans were to be driven by six-speed dry dual-clutch transmissions made by Chrysler’s Italian owner, Fiat SpA, but instead will stay with the 62TE automatic six-speed they featured during the 2011 model year.

2012 Dodge Avenger

“We were concerned about the refinement and how the American customers might perceive the transmission,” said Vince Muniga, a spokesman for Chrysler. The Fiat dry dual-clutch transmission is currently in use in Europe, and Muniga said the automaker will “look for other future products” to put it in for the North American market.

Dual-clutch transmissions offer better fuel efficiency and movement of vehicle power to the pavement than conventional automatics or manuals.

Before its bankruptcy in 2009, Chrysler had entered into an ill-fated joint venture with Getrag Corp to develop dual-clutch technology, going so far as to build a $530 million factory in Indiana to produce the transmissions. But that effort was later scrapped.

Muniga said the decision to delay introduction of the dry dual-clutch transmission was made in summer.

However, he also said Chrysler’s current joint venture with ZF Friedrichshafen AG to produce a nine-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive vehicles is unaffected by the decision.

Source: Automotive News