Backing the new engine [Pentastar V6 3.6L] is a new automatic transmission. The old anemic-shifting four-speed auto tranny [Chrysler 42LRE] has been replaced with a much more heavy-duty A580 five-speed overdrive automatic. It’s the same tranny that can be found behind the 5.7L V-8 engines and similar to what’s found in the ’11 Grand Cherokee, except it’s not a sealed unit. The Wrangler A580 gets a dipstick but it’s still considered a “fill-for-life” transmission that requires no maintenance. The new auto also comes with Electronic Range Select, a shifter that can be toggled to the right or left to control selection of the desired top gear. The new five-speed auto offers closer ratios as well as a deeper First gear than the older auto. The old auto has a 2.84:1 First, 1.57:1 Second, 1:1 Third, a .69 Fourth, and a 2.21:1 Reverse gear. The new A580 features a much more driver-friendly 3.59:1 First, 2.19:1 Second, 1.41:1 Third, 1:1 Fourth, .83:1 Fifth, and a 3.16:1 Reverse gear. The NSG 370 six-speed manual returns for 2012 and remains mostly unchanged as the standard transmission. The new NSG 370 features a taller .797 Sixth gear Overdrive compared to the .84 Sixth gear of the earlier models.
