New 425 bhp V8 for Chrysler's 300C
Bigger powerplant adds grunt to chunky saloon
Chrysler is to unleash an all-new, beefed-up 6.1-litre 425 bhp Hemi V8 engine in the new 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8 next spring. Preliminary performance targets are 0-60 mph in the low five-second range and a quarter-mile time in the high 13-second range, says Chrysler.
The company adds that the naturally aspirated engine will be the highest specific output V8 engine ever offered by Chrysler, its 69.8 hp-per-litre rating exceeding even that of the legendary 1966 "Street HEMI." However, it compares poorly with engines such as the Honda VTEC housed in the S2000, which extracts 240 bhp from two litres, a specific output of 120 bhp per litre. Torque from the Hemi will be 420 lb-ft.
"Without question, the Hemi continues to play a critical role in building momentum for the Chrysler Group," said Ridenour. "With the introduction of the 6.1-litre Hemi, we're taking the legendary Hemi to a new level of benchmark performance."
Since first introducing the all-new 5.7-litre Hemi V-8 engine for the 2003 model year, Chrysler says it's sold more than 300,000 vehicles with a Hemi inside. Where Hemi is offered, it claims the take-up rate is 46 per cent.
"The Hemi continues to resonate with consumers and has essentially become a brand within our brands," said product manager Eric Ridenour. "And with MDS, our modern cylinder deactivation system, the Hemi seamlessly moves from eight cylinders to four cylinders and back. The only thing customers notice is a savings in fuel economy of up to 20 per cent."
On a product-by-product basis, the Hemi remains a popular engine choice, says Chrysler. For Dodge Durango, the take-up rate is 54 per cent. The 2005 Dodge Ram is at 46 per cent while Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300C are at 43 per cent. Jeep Grand Cherokee's take-up rate is 29 per cent.
The torque is something you will not get from a VTEC engine.
The original 426 hemi was 425 hp in it's mildest form, the limited production more drag orientated cars were in excess of 500hp.
The super cars of that era, had very modest outputs.
Mick
moparmick said:
Back in 1964 you could buy a dodge or plymouth sedan with a 425 hp engine with a push button hd automatic.
The original 426 hemi was 425 hp in it's mildest form, the limited production more drag orientated cars were in excess of 500hp.
The super cars of that era, had very modest outputs.
Mick
Weren't these overblown DIN ratings though?
I think hoping for 120bhp/litre is a bit much from a large V8, especially a full size saloon costing only around £30-35,000!
Russ
moparmick said:
The 68 Dodge Dart Hemi would turn high 10 sec quarter miles with just a set of slicks bolted on, i'm curious what time did the aussie six turn.
Mick
To answer your question mick, here are the figures from Wheels magazines test, November 1972:
(from a 4340cc hemi 6 on stock radials)
Power: 225kw (307hp)@5600rpm
0-62mph 6.1 secs
0-400m in 14.4secs
pretty good for the 70's, although I suppose Americars were a bit faster (supposing the manufacturers claims, as per bhp, weren't overstated a little bit...)
Our current 260kw (354hp) monaro takes 14.1 for the quarter, but wait, it has far more power...
For eg Dodge Dart 340 ci was reckoned to be rated low at 275 hp purely to increase sales to the younger market as insurance was higher on big blocks, also the 428 cobra jet was conservatively rated at 335 hp.
If i'm not mistaken hp ratings were'nt in din untill mid 70's.
What a lot of people need to realise is that during the late 60's the americans went through a huge drag racing boom and this was reflected in car design.
Basically horsepower was king and all options were performance orientated.
This all cooled down when Ralph Nader's fuel emissions were introduced which strangled the large well breathing engines untill recently where modern technology can extract high performance even with emissions
phase90 said:
"its 69.8 hp-per-litre rating exceeding even that of the legendary 1966 "Street HEMI." However, it compares poorly with engines such as the Honda VTEC housed in the S2000, which extracts 240 bhp from two litres, a specific output of 120 bhp per litre. Torque from the Hemi will be 420 lb-ft."
The torque is something you will not get from a VTEC engine.
two comments...
the 'classic' old hemi's were somewhat bigger CC engines (8+L)
and if you work out how many CC's per Lb/ft, the current Honda iVtec's need 12.9, this new Hemi needs 14.5, so what was your comment about no torque?
You stack a Dodge Challenger 426 Hemi up against a production porsche, lotus Elan or even a Ferrari of it's day and there is no comparison performance wise in a straight line.
Mick
moparmick said:
Quite impressive for a six, as for american horsepower ratings being lower than stated sometimes they were and sometimes they were'nt
For eg Dodge Dart 340 ci was reckoned to be rated low at 275 hp purely to increase sales to the younger market as insurance was higher on big blocks, also the 428 cobra jet was conservatively rated at 335 hp.
Fords original falcon gt was estimated to have as high as 380hp, but was marketed with only 300, not quite sure why but that car is arguably the most revered car ever produced in Australia if you're a muscle car enthusiast.
scuffham said:
"its 69.8 hp-per-litre rating exceeding even that of the legendary 1966 "Street HEMI." However, it compares poorly with engines such as the Honda VTEC housed in the S2000, which extracts 240 bhp from two litres, a specific output of 120 bhp per litre. Torque from the Hemi will be 420 lb-ft."
The torque is something you will not get from a VTEC engine.
two comments...
the 'classic' old hemi's were somewhat bigger CC engines (8+L)
and if you work out how many CC's per Lb/ft, the current Honda iVtec's need 12.9, this new Hemi needs 14.5, so what was your comment about no torque?
The Honda engine is not going to move a car the size of the Magnum in the manner the consumer will like.
The Honda technology is good (especially at ear splitting rpm levels), but costs far more than the low technology V8. People are not going to pay the extra $$. Especially if the power is not useable below 6K rpm.
ErnestM said:
They will probably put the MDS System in this Hemi just like in the 5.7...
That means 4 cylinders when cruising and 8 when needed (My brother in law just picked up one of these behemoths)...
ErnestM
Apparently the SRT-8 loses the 4 cylinder technology which can only be a good thing in my book. If I buy a V8, I want 8 cylinders all the time. Mind you, the car is heavy and those times are nothing special. However, it could be a good buy depending on the pricing. Not for me, though.
LuS1fer said:
They will probably put the MDS System in this Hemi just like in the 5.7...
That means 4 cylinders when cruising and 8 when needed (My brother in law just picked up one of these behemoths)...
ErnestM
Apparently the SRT-8 loses the 4 cylinder technology which can only be a good thing in my book. If I buy a V8, I want 8 cylinders all the time. Mind you, the car is heavy and those times are nothing special. However, it could be a good buy depending on the pricing. Not for me, though.
When cruising at 70 mph I don't think the four cylinder mode would be too obvious. And the switch from 4 to 8 should be instant - it's only a software switch over.
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff