[stevesrt8]

why hasn't anyone commented on the amazing transmission in the SRT8's?

Automatically holding gears through the corners, aggressively downhifting under hard braking, this gearbox is so cool you really don't gain much by trying to shift manually. Mine always nails the upshift at exactly 6200 like a dream!

Add to that its amazing efficiency, and we should all thank Daimler/Benz for the technology. One of the few automatics I have ever liked.

Steve
06 CSRT8
all stock all original
everything but DVD
waiting for software

 

[Northern Rider]

The W5A580 Transmission

The amazing W5A580 Mercedes Benz transmission debuted in Europe in 1995. It has gained a reputation as one of the smoothest, smartest and toughest trannies ever built. Here are some excerpts:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation Invests $455 million in its Indiana Transmission Plant to Build Mercedes-Benz Developed Transmission​

.

• First component sharing since the merger was announced: Chrysler Group to use Mercedes-Benz transmission
• Investment includes 600,000 sq. foot expansion of Indiana Transmission Plant

Auburn Hills, Mich. - DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DCC) will invest $455 million in its Indiana Transmission Plant (ITP) in Kokomo, Ind. to produce a Mercedes-Benz developed transmission – the first example of component sharing between the Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz since the merger of Chrysler Corporation and Daimler-Benz in 1998.



The W5A580 debuted in 1995 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles and is known to be one of the smoothest, most fuel-efficient and cost-effective transmissions in the industry. Its unique three-channel torque converter helps provide an exceptionally smooth ride and shifting, while reducing fuel consumption.

Road Test: 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Vs. 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Space Shuttles: You'll never again hear, "Are we there yet?"

By Chris Walton
Photography by John Kiewicz
Motor Trend, September 2005


The Magnum SRT8 launches well at around 2500 rpm (over 1 g in initial acceleration) with just a wisp of wheelspin. Go wide open too soon, and those monster Goodyears cook in an instant. The 20-inch Eagle F1 Supercar tires are standard with the SRT8 model (it needs the added grip), with four-season RS-As optional for those who'd dare drive an SRT8 in all seasons. Any vehicle that reaches 30 mph in less than two gut-flattening seconds is destined for a good run to 60: The Magnum SRT8 sets the bar at 5.1 seconds and nails the quarter mile in 13.1 at 108.2 mph.








The exhaust note inside the Magnum is a muffled baritone, but it's a 1966 musclecar soundtrack with the windows rolled down. You'd think a pushrod motor with pistons the size of coffee cans would be reluctant to rev, but the biggest surge of torque occurs at around 4000 rpm until it peaks at 420 pound-feet at 4800 rpm with almost 2000 rpm left in the rev range. The 6400-rpm shift to second gear occurs just before 60 mph and includes a noticeable, momentary off-throttle breath that also lies between each successive gear. Incidentally, the W5A580 five-speed automatic became the first hardware shared between the arms of transatlantic DaimlerChrysler after the merger in 1998. It's mechanically the same in both wagons, but the electronic programming (though tuned by the same AMG engineer) is different, as is the rearend ratio. The 6.1-liter SRT8-spec Hemi best fulfills the promise of the Magnum's muscular looks: 20 or 30 years from now, car-crazed enthusiasts will remember the wagon with the optional monster motor that somehow got past the corporate bean counters and insurance companies. This will be a collectible car.

Minds sufficiently blown, we idled up the line in the blower Benz, coddled in $5450 designo Nappa leather. Raised the 5.4-liter V-8's revs to about 2000, jumped off the brakes, and 650 revs later, 516 pound-feet of torque flung this unlikely supercar down the dragstrip. The speedo needle zinged past 30 mph in just 1.5 seconds and 60 barely 2.6 seconds later. The gas pedal is a hyperspace button: bury it in the carpet, and the car is here one moment and there the next, covering the quarter mile in a Viper-threatening 12.2 seconds at 113.8 mph.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a towing capacity of 3.5 tons. ... An all-new five-speed W5A580 automatic transmission offers smooth shifts and optimum ...

Excerpt: Chrysler has announced that it will be installing the W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission in the 2006 Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 that are equipped with the 3.5 L V6. The 42RLE four-speed will remain the sole offering on vehicles sold with the 2.7 L V6. Additional capacity at the Kokomo, IN plant that supplies the Mercedes-derived gearbox is credited with allowing Chrysler to make this change. Claims of less shifting make little sense given the addition of one more gear, and EPA mileage tests don’t reflect promises of better real-world fuel economy

 

[4herb2tas0tik]

well my srt has 12,000miles on it and its weird you should post about trans. because i was just telling my lil bro to feel what the trany does when i start breaking at high speed it switches into a lower gear just anticipating me hitting the gas again, then switches back to last gear...but only thing is i dont remember it doing that when it was new..this is something that it just started doing..i have been driving it hard from the beginning, i wonder if it finally learned what my driving habits are..well all i can say is i LOVE my car...

 

[glhs837]

What I find interesting is that almost all, if not all of the Charger stickers I've looked at list Germany as the source of the trans I dont know about Mags and 300s

 

[DenverSRT8]

well my srt has 12,000miles on it and its weird you should post about trans. because i was just telling my lil bro to feel what the trany does when i start breaking at high speed it switches into a lower gear just anticipating me hitting the gas again, then switches back to last gear...but only thing is i dont remember it doing that when it was new..this is something that it just started doing..i have been driving it hard from the beginning, i wonder if it finally learned what my driving habits are..well all i can say is i LOVE my car...

Does the mastiff get to ride in the SRT? Mine doesn't, but if the wife buys the Cherokee SRT-8, maybe he will.... :biggrin:

 

[Northern Rider]

What I find interesting is that almost all, if not all of the Charger stickers I've looked at list Germany as the source of the trans I dont know about Mags and 300s

To the best of my knowledge, all the W5A580 5 speeds that go into the LX cars at Brampton (and the Jeep Grand Cherokee) are built in Kokomo, Indiana.

FYI: The Hemi engines are built at the Salitillo plant in Mexico.

 

[WhiteDiamond]

I have to agree that under aggressive driving the tranny does do very well. I am pretty sick of the early upshifting around town, though. Hopefully one of the programmer companies will come out with something to change that part.

Todd

 

[glhs837]

To the best of my knowledge, all the W5A580 5 speeds that go into the LX cars at Brampton (and the Jeep Grand Cherokee) are built in Kokomo, Indiana.

FYI: The Hemi engines are built at the Salitillo plant in Mexico.

NR, thats what I thought too, til I dug into it. Heres the sticker off of an EBay CHSRT-8......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...Z6199QQitemZ4591729951QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I think you'll find if you search some local dealers websites, where you can see the stickers, you'll find the same. Not sure if theres not enough capacity at Kokomo, or if the split was part of the plan, but there it is

 

[Northern Rider]

That's a head scratcher. Thanks for digging that up. Hopefully one of the Brampton guys can shed some light on this/

 

[goddardzilla]

That's a head scratcher. Thanks for digging that up. Hopefully one of the Brampton guys can shed some light on this/

A bit of AMG magic?




Zilla

 

[WhiteDiamond]

NR, thats what I thought too, til I dug into it. Heres the sticker off of an EBay CHSRT-8......
I think you'll find if you search some local dealers websites, where you can see the stickers, you'll find the same. Not sure if theres not enough capacity at Kokomo, or if the split was part of the plan, but there it is

We have an early June build Magnum SRT8 and I am looking at the window sticker right now. "Transmission: United States" under the country of origin.

Todd

 

[marlinspike]

The sticker for my dad's says Germany as well.

 

[SMKN300]

We have an early June build Magnum SRT8 and I am looking at the window sticker right now. "Transmission: United States" under the country of origin.

Todd

My sticker says country of origin Engine : Mexico, Transmission: Germany.

 

[glhs837]

See, its a melting pot No telling, but I dont thing I've seen a Charger sticker showing US yet. I know Kokomo is making them, and they are going into cars, but I have no idea how they decide which gets which.

 

[WhiteDiamond]

See, its a melting pot No telling, but I dont thing I've seen a Charger sticker showing US yet. I know Kokomo is making them, and they are going into cars, but I have no idea how they decide which gets which.

No idea....Here it is.

 

[srt8danno]

I am very glad to read your post Stevesrt8. The posts concerning the shift points/rev limiter/TSB's seemed to be the only comments made. Glad to hear you’re pleased with how it is performing.

Maybe the Kokomo plant can’t keep up with demand???

 

[stevesrt8]

integrated

it's my humble guess that the trans is completely integrated into the entire stability/traction control envelope. Just seems to know what I'm doing and really does get better at it with repetition!

Even if you're not into cornering, just hit the brakes hard at speed and it'll start grabbing downshifts like crazy.

Yes, I am one happy CSRT8 owner.

Steve
06 CSRT8
all stock all original
everything but DVD
Trans. that reads minds

 

[Northern Rider]

it's my humble guess that the trans is completely integrated into the entire stability/traction control envelope. Just seems to know what I'm doing and really does get better at it with repetition!

Even if you're not into cornering, just hit the brakes hard at speed and it'll start grabbing downshifts like crazy.

Yes, I am one happy CSRT8 owner.

Steve
06 CSRT8
all stock all original
everything but DVD
Trans. that reads minds

How true that is! There are 9 computers on board - the real magic is the integration of traction; yaw; brakes; torque; and shift behavior.

Mercedes spent a bundle developing this for the previous generation E Class a few years back. Nothing like it on a Ford or GM product.

Just how adaptable the system is was really driven home to me 3 hours ago. I haven't driven my wife's Magnum R/T for a few weeks. Took it out on a buying mission (need a new TV; dropped the old one on my toes, yesterday - broke a toe and the TV). The Maggie is silky smooth and sedate. Feels like a DeVille. My C, on the other hand, feels like it wants to go 12 rounds with Tyson every time I get behind the wheel.

When I first had my C, it felt as though the car was learning my driving style. Not something I wanted to voice in public - until i joined this forum and found others were experiencing the same thing.

We drive luxury muscle cars with attitude and intuition! What next?