* 345 Horsepower HEMI(R) Puts Ram in Pole Position
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dodge, the brand that defined
the muscle car when it unleashed the legendary 426 Street HEMI(R), is bringing
big HEMI muscle to light-duty trucks.
Dodge today announced the introduction of the Dodge Ram 1500 equipped with
the 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum, the most powerful engine option offered in a mass
produced light-duty pickup truck. The 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum delivers 345
horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque accompanied by an unmistakable V-8 burble
that can only be a HEMI.
"With the HEMI Magnum equipped Dodge Ram 1500 joining the all-new Dodge
Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500, Dodge has the strongest line-up of full-size
trucks in the industry," said Richard O. Schaum, Executive Vice President -
Product Development & Quality, Chrysler Group. "The new HEMI distinguishes
Dodge from the competition by offering a monstrous 345 horsepower across our
full range of trucks, not just special editions and sport packages."
Modern technology meets tried and true combustion with the all-new 5.7-
liter HEMI Magnum. The use of the classic HEMI (hemispherical) head design
creates optimal air flow, while twin spark plugs, direct ignition and
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) allow for smooth, efficient operation.
Composite air-flow modules combine with cross-flow aluminum heads, splayed
valves and investment cast rocker arms to deliver an awesome 100 horsepower
increase and an additional 40 lb.-ft. of torque compared with the 5.9-liter
Magnum.
Fuel efficiency is also improved by 10 percent over the 5.9-liter, while
the new HEMI Magnum engine is approximately 60 lbs. lighter in weight. The
5.7-liter HEMI Magnum debuted in the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and
3500 as the standard engine offering, and replaces the 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 in
the entire Dodge Ram truck line-up.
"Sales of the new Dodge Ram 1500 are up 32 percent this year and there is
no way we are going to let that momentum slow," said Darryl Jackson, Vice
President of Dodge Marketing. "With the new 5.7-liter HEMI in the light-duty
Dodge Ram 1500, there is nothing slow about Dodge Ram. We have customers
coming into showrooms just to listen to the new HEMI. This engine builds upon
the principles that created the Dodge Ram mystique -- bold styling, big power
and unmatched capability and we expect 40 percent of Ram 1500 customers to
choose the new HEMI option."
The 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum is offered as a $795 option and will be
available with the 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission. Chrome HEMI
Magnum badging on the front fenders designate the new engine on all Dodge Ram
pickup trucks. The 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum engine increases the Ram 1500's
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) by 500 lbs. to 14,000 lbs. versus the 5.9-
liter Magnum equipped Ram 1500. The Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR)
increases by 550 lbs. to 9,200 lbs.
"When it's time to work, the Dodge Ram 1500 will work hard," said Frank
Klegon, Vice President, Truck Product Team. "But with the 345 horsepower HEMI
Magnum, the Dodge Ram is ready to play hard too. Punch this engine on the
highway, and you know you have a HEMI under your hood."
In 1951, Chrysler introduced the HEMI V-8 engine to the public. The
engine produced 180 horsepower, an impressive output in those days. The first
cars to carry the new engine were the New Yorker and Saratoga lines. Between
1951-53, HEMI engines were offered on the Chrysler and Imperial, DeSoto and
Dodge. Although the engines carried different names -- "Firepower,"
"Firedome" and "Red Ram" -- and were manufactured in separate facilities, they
shared a similar design approach with each engine having its own size range.
The Dodge Ram 1500 is built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren,
Michigan and at the St. Louis (MO) North Assembly Plant. The 5.7-liter HEMI
Magnum is built in Saltillo, Mexico. The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
trucks are built at the Saltillo, Mexico and St. Louis North Assembly Plants.
SOURCE Chrysler Group
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Related links:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com
CONTACT:
Dominick Infante, +1-248-512-2317, or Carrie
McElwee, +1-248-512-2664, both of Chrysler Group
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