Chrysler Hemi 5.7-litre V8
Chrysler's 5.7-litre Hemi engine, as found in the Chrysler 300C and a whole bunch of huge vehicles not generally found in the UK including Dodges Charger, Durango, Magnum and Ram, has won an award. For the fifth year running, it's won the Wards's 10 Best Engines in the US.
Part of the reason was its economy, due to the multi-displacement system (MDS), which improves fuel economy by as much as 20 per cent, according to Chrysler. The system alternates between high fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V8 mode when you put your foot down.
"There's nothing more American than the V8, and we think the modern Hemi is the best of the breed,” said senior technical editor for Ward’s AutoWorld Bill Visnic. “The Hemi is power-dense, perfectly sized and incorporates sophisticated-yet-straightforward efficiency-enhancing technology to help it stay relevant in a market that is becoming increasingly conscious of fuel economy. But above all else, the Hemi is just plain fun."
A higher-performance 6.1-litre version of the Hemi V8 can be found in the Chrysler 300C SRT8. The 6.1 uses strengthened components – including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft and high-strength connecting rods – and generates additional power with more capacity, higher compression ratio, higher engine speed and enhanced breathing, courtesy of special cylinder heads and manifolds.