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Chrysler Group Passes Million Mark with Modern HEMI V8

Sixty-Seven Percent of New Dodge Chargers Got a HEMI Under the Hood

Theres a lot of hype in the auto industry, with some of it warranted and some other "news" the product of savvy marketing departments trying to make mountains out of molehills. In the case of Chrysler Groups new LX cars, however, the commotion is real.

Just look ahead into the oncoming lane, in your rearview mirror, or over your shoulder and youre bound to see the big, intimidating chrome grille of the namesake brands 300 series sedan staring you down. That 300 is even more intimidating if theres a C attached to its nameplate, which is about fifty percent of the time. The C, of course, lets mere mortals know a HEMI is under the hood, and that this is a car that shouldnt be taken lightly.

The
The 300 is especially intimidating if theres a C attached to its nameplate, denoting that a HEMI is under the hood. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)
success of Chryslers new-age HEMI shouldnt be taken lightly either, what with over a million sold since it debuted in the Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy-Duty truck in model year 2003.

"The modern Hemi engine is one of our best examples of Disciplined Pizzaz," commented Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President -- Product Development, Chrysler Group. "We combined the best of our engineering heritage with modern design..."

Truly, HEMI, manufactured in
Chrysler has sold over a million copies of its new-age HEMI since the engine debuted in the Dodge Ram 2500 Heavy-Duty truck in model year 2003. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)
Saltillo, Mexico, is the automakers fifth North American brand, Mopar being its fourth, and Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler filling in the remaining white spaces.

How well has Chrysler done marketing its HEMI V8? Why dont you ask yourself that one? For fun, just try and name any engine from another automaker that you dont personally own. Heck, try and name the engine in your own car, and unless its a HEMI you probably dont now what its called. Cadillac has done a commendable job bringing notoriety to its "Northstar" V8, but with nowhere near the household commonality
Chrysler Group has built a veritable brand out of the HEMI name, almost overshadowing the very cars, trucks and SUVs it powers. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)
of Chrysler Groups HEMI. What about powerhouse Toyota? Dont they have a sophisticated V8 worth remembering? Absolutely, and more than one actually, but you probably didnt know they call it "iForce". Nissan did a pretty good job of naming their 5.6-liter V8, standard in the Titan pickup, Armada SUV and Infiniti QX56, "Endurance V8". Fords got the Triton, Romeo, and a dozen others, while GM has and has had a myriad of V8 nomenclatures.

Of the imports, Hondas VTEC might be the most successful engine technology name, if not engine name. Being the first widely available application of variable valve timing in the automotive sector it created quite a buzz when it debuted, but now there are so many variations
Nothing says fast like HEMI. It was the king of the road back in the 50s, 60s and early 70s, before smog legislation and the fuel crisis that followed kicked the fun out of Detroit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)
of the theme, such as Toyotas VVTi, Mitsubishis MIVEC, and the list goes on, that its kind of lost its savor.

Still, nothing says fast like HEMI. It was the king of the road back in the 50s, 60s and early 70s, before smog legislation and the fuel crisis that followed kicked the fun out of Detroit. Now you can go ahead and dust off those high-heeled boot stompin KISS LPs as Detroit Rock City is back and Chryslers HEMI is the pack leader.

Since its launch in the heavy-duty Ram, the HEMI found its way into the Dodge Durango SUV, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum R/T, Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, and most recently the Dodge Charger R/T. And if you think North Americas hottest brand is going to stop there, you dont understand how Chrysler plays the momentum card.
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