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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, June 16, 2010 · 24 Chrysler Group LLC reach agreement for new eight-speed transmissions Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine ZF and Chrysler Group LLC have reached a supply and license agreement for ZF's 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company's Indiana Transmission Plant I and the Kokomo casting plant, starting in 2013. Chrysler Group LLC will initially receive the 8HP 8-speed automatic transmissions from the ZF Getriebe GmbH plant in Saarbrucken, Germany. By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF is setting up a new transmission production plant in North America, where the eight-speed transmissions will be produced. "As the U.S. auto industry continues its rebound, we see considerable growth opportunities within it - especially for next-generation vehicles, such as those at Chrysler Group that will use the 8HP eight-speed automatic," says Hans-Georg Harter, ZF's President and CEO. "America is the birthplace of the automotive automatic transmission and we feel it is important for ZF to participate in the business here with a dedicated manufacturing facility. We are excited to begin this venture." ZF is a leading worldwide automotive supplier for Driveline and Chassis Technology with approximately 60,000 employees at 123 production locations in 27 countries. ZF is among the top 10 companies on the ranking list of the largest automotive suppliers worldwide. The G37 Coupe has only a few changes for 2010, but most are in the interior including the use of new Shodo aluminumalloy accents. A car with performance to match the great looks Continued from page XX On the safety front, the G37 Coupe has an advanced airbag system with dual stage supplemental front airbags, roof mounted side curtain airbags and front seat mounted side impact airbags. As I mentioned earlier, I think the G37 Coupe is the most visually appealing of all G-series models and during my week with it I had several people stop to talk and admire the styling and comment on the striking blue paint colour. Unlike some sport sedan wannabees, this car has the performance to match its great looks. The seven-speed automatic transmission performs flawlessly and the car never seems to be searching for the right gear as you often find in a five-speed or even some six-speeds. It shifts smoothly and quickly, but if want a more sporty experience simply put it in manual mode and do the shifting yourself. The G37 Coupe has four-wheel independent multilink suspension with stabilizer bars and this produces a firm, yet stable ride. It doesn't soak up the bumps and potholes as well as some of its German rivals, but it's not an uncomfortable ride either-- it's just firm. On hard corners it grips the road well and the steering has a very precise feel to it. There's plenty of acceleration for any type of driving, but note that the 3.7-litre V6 requires premium unleaded fuel. The engine is a strong performer and has a beautiful, muscular sound when you press hard on the throttle. The competition is stiff in the sport coupe segment with cars like the Audi A5, BMW 3-Series, Hyundai Genesis Coupe and even the Chevrolet Camaro fighting it out for buyers, but only the first two offer all-wheel drive like the G37, an important feature here in Canada for drivers who want a four-season vehicle. All are fine cars, but I don't believe the G37 can be touched when it comes to overall exterior design, something that plays a big role with buyers in this segment.