Frank
Klegon, Vice President of Dodge's Truck Product Team announced the
widely anticipated introduction of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 for the
2003.5 Dodge Ram 1500 light duty pickup. Dodge claims the HEMI is
the most powerful engine in its class with 345 horsepower and 375
lb.-ft of torque.
In
addition to a large boost in power over the ancient 5.9-liter Magnum
V8 engine it replaces, the HEMI also promises a 10% gain in fuel
economy and will be available by January 2003 at Dodge dealerships.
Dealers are taking orders now for the $795 option.
Klegon
expects that 40% of all 1500 Rams will ship from the factory with
the HEMI option, up from the 20% share of Ram sales volume the 5.9-liter
engine had, with no supply problems.
If
you were looking for a little performance action with the new engine,
sorry. Klegon says that the 1500 HEMI will only be available with
an automatic transmission. There will be no stick.
Asked
about the option of variable displacement for the HEMI to further
increase fuel economy, Klegon said he had no comment at this time
about possible future product changes.
