Motor Authority - blog Tag: Hemi

With Chrysler confirming last month that its Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division is safe from the company’s current budgetary cutbacks, we can expect to see new models sprout from the performance arm over the coming years. The first of these could be a replacement for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, which has been previewed today in this official teaser sketch showing a new version based on the recently revealed 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Labeled as a 2012 model, the new model will likely arrive sometime in 2011. Power is expected to come from a brand new 6.4L HEMI V8 engine rated at around the 500hp (373kW) and 500ft-lb (678Nm)... With Chrysler confirming last month that its Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division is safe from the company’s current budgetary cutbacks, we can expect to see new models sprout from the performance arm over the coming years. The first of these could be a replacement for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, which has been previewed today in this official teaser sketch showing a new version based on the recently revealed 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Labeled as a 2012 model, the new model will likely arrive sometime in 2011. Power is expected to come from a brand new 6.4L HEMI V8 engine rated at around the 500hp (373kW) and 500ft-lb (678Nm) of torque. Hopefully, this will be enough to allow the SRT8-prepped Jeep to cement its title as the world’s fastest SUV now that the pair of M SUVs from BMW have landed. The new engine will be called the 392 HEMI (in reference to its capacity in cubic inches) and is expected to first appear in updated versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger in 2011. In addition to the power transplant, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will also sport a subtle bodykit, a lowered ride height, stiffed suspension, and chunky SRT 5-spoke wheels housing uprated brakes.2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 preview sketch Read More

As we approach the next Detroit Auto Show, one of the events mainstays for the past 15 years, the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines awards, has once again been announced. The list, which is the North American auto industry’s only award for powertrains, is selected by Ward’s editors, who for this year’s round-up were looking for both efficiency and fun-factor.

To qualify for the award, engines must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification models and be on sale no later than the first quarter of 2009. The catch is that the cars must be priced no more than $54,000 - a price cap indexed to the average cost of... As we approach the next Detroit Auto Show, one of the events mainstays for the past 15 years, the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines awards, has once again been announced. The list, which is the North American auto industry’s only award for powertrains, is selected by Ward’s editors, who for this year’s round-up were looking for both efficiency and fun-factor. To qualify for the award, engines must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification models and be on sale no later than the first quarter of 2009. The catch is that the cars must be priced no more than $54,000 - a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle. The awards are set to be formally announced on January 14 at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Surprisingly, Nissan’s familiar VQ series V6 engine was absent from the list for the first time since the award’s inception back in 1995 despite being significantly updated this past year. Also, a marked change from last year’s list was the inclusion of more diesel and four-cylinder engines, which highlights the gravity of changing preferences towards smaller and more fuel-efficient powertrains in the American car market. The winners, in alphabetical order, are listed below: - Audi: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I4 (A4 Avant) - BMW: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I6 (135i Coupe) - BMW: 3.0L DOHC I6 Turbodiesel (335d) - Chrysler: 5.7L Hemi OHV V8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T) - Ford: 2.5L DOHC I4 HEV (Escape Hybrid) - General Motors: 3.6L DOHC V6 (Cadillac CTS) - Honda: 3.5L SOHC V6 (Accord Coupe) - Hyundai: 4.6L DOHC V8 (Genesis) - Toyota: 3.5L DOHC V6 (Lexus IS 350) - Volkswagen: 2.0L SOHC I4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI) Via: Ward's Auto Read More

Chrysler demonstrated that it won’t be left behind in the technology stakes with the unveiling of three near-production prototype electric vehicles earlier this year, one of which was a high-performance sports car. The carmaker has now given a preview of the capabilities of its future electric sports car with an impromptu drag race between the Dodge EV and the iconic Challenger muscle car.

The event took place at the Rose Bowl stadium in California on Friday and saw the two performance vehicles race down an empty carpark strip. The Dodge EV is powered by a 268hp (200kW) electric motor with an instantaneous 480lb-ft (650Nm) of torque... Chrysler demonstrated that it won’t be left behind in the technology stakes with the unveiling of three near-production prototype electric vehicles earlier this year, one of which was a high-performance sports car. The carmaker has now given a preview of the capabilities of its future electric sports car with an impromptu drag race between the Dodge EV and the iconic Challenger muscle car. The event took place at the Rose Bowl stadium in California on Friday and saw the two performance vehicles race down an empty carpark strip. The Dodge EV is powered by a 268hp (200kW) electric motor with an instantaneous 480lb-ft (650Nm) of torque on hand, and runs on lithium-ion batteries. The Dodge Challenger, on the other hand, was the high-performance SRT8 variant, and features a 6.1L HEMI V8 churning out 425hp (317kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque. While looking at the numbers alone, it is easy to conceive that the electric vehicle is outmatched here. Unfortunately, it is not that simple as the instantaneous torque of the electric motor plays a major role in the accelerative force of the Dodge EV. Check out the video below to see which car comes out on top. Chrysler’s electric vehicle development chief Lou Rhodes was also on hand on the day and revealed to the LA Times that 100 EV and range-extended prototypes will start testing on public roads next year for engineering and consumer analysis.2008 Dodge Challenger SRT82008 Dodge EV Lotus-based electric sports carDodge EV and Challenger SRT8 drag race Read More