After an impressive 32-year run, the Ultradrive four-speed torque-converter automatic transmission will be axed next year, according to Automotive News. Its final recipient will be the Dodge Journey, having been used in different iterations since 1989 in vehicles including the Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler LeBaron, Chrysler New Yorker, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Dodge Daytona IROC, Dodge Dynasty, as well as the Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager. However, the four-speed is dying a death as emissions regulations demand more efficient transmissions, which means more gears.

If the rumor mill is correct, then a new Dodge Journey is in the works, which will use a more modern transmission and be built on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia platform. The information on the Ultradrive four-speed transmission comes from a tentative agreement between FCA and the UAW that confirms the Kokomo Transmission Plant will "build out" the last of the transmissions in 2020. When that day comes, we will pour one out for the veteran workhorse and relic of a bygone era.

Currently, the Altradrive four-speed comes standard in the 2019 Dodge Journey, starting at $23,245. Unfortunately, the vehicle is as outdated as the transmission in almost every way. It's currently limping on in just two trim levels, SE Value and Crossroad It has been around now since 2008 and last got a facelift in 2011. However, despite its age and simplicity, it still sells well. Dodge sold 94,000 Journeys in the US last year and considering it has gone long past paying off its development costs, that means its a profitable seller. If that doesn't blow your mind, consider the fact that more Journeys were sold than Dodge Challenger models last year.