The Chrysler Group Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology that is here today — customers get the power and capability of the HEMI® V-8 that they desire with an improvement in fuel economy of up to 20 percent.
“By 2007, Chrysler Group will have nearly one-million vehicles on the road with MDS,” said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler Group. “And 60 million gallons of fuel will be saved annually with the HEMI engine’s MDS technology.”
Chrysler Group is now the first to offer MDS in a pickup truck – the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. The company was the first to offer cylinder deactivation in an SUV with the introduction of MDS in the 2005 HEMI-powered Jeep® Grand Cherokee. It was also the first to offer modern, large-volume vehicles in North America with cylinder deactivation — the HEMI-powered 2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum R/T went on sale in the spring of 2004 with the Chrysler Group MDS.
The Chrysler Group MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7L HEMI engine is in demand. This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.
The MDS was part of the engine’s original design. This resulted in a cylinder-deactivation system that is elegantly simple and completely integrated into the engine design. The benefits are fewer parts, maximum reliability and lower cost.
Some of the significant technologies enabling the Chrysler Group MDS are the speed of electronic controls, the sophistication of the algorithms controlling the systems and the use of Electronic Throttle Control. The HEMI can seamlessly transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds).
The Chrysler Group MDS is standard equipment on the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum R/T and Dodge Charger R/T, and standard on the HEMI-powered Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander.
Source Of Information: DaimlerChrysler