STLA report confirms Hemi alive-and-dead status

Hemi V8 lovers can rejoice to know that the 6.4 (392) engine is definitely still in production, albeit not quite in the same quantities as in the past; but there is darker news, too—again, for those who insist on eight pistons per engine.

The new chart definitely shows that the 5.7 Hemi, like the 6.2 Hellcat, is off the menu. It’s not in production. That’s not as surprising as it could be; the standard-output 3.0 Hurricane engine provides considerably more power, on regular (rather than the 5.7’s midgrade) fuel, with up to 3 mpg better fuel economy on the EPA test cycle. That is an impressive feat.

Some pundits, hoping for (and getting) clicks from angry V8 fans, have posted inappropriate comparisons claiming the Hurricane really used more fuel than the 5.7 Hemi (which is true enough if you compare the high output Hurricane to the 5.7 instead of to the engine it’s really replacing, which is the 6.4). Comparing the high output Hurricane to the 6.4 directly can only really be done with the Wagoneer; again, the new straight six outperforms the old V8.

When all is said and done, though, it’s worth noting that the 6.4 in question is not the “392” from the Wranglers shown above; it’s the Big Gasoline Engine (code BGE) from heavy duty Ram pickups. That means the Wrangler 392, now in its last year, is relying on existing stock. Mopar’s highest performance engines will be straight sixes, possibly supplemented by motors, possibly not.

The new roundup of North American plants seems up to date, though it doesn’t mention the upcoming Recon or Wagoneer S (because they are not yet officially in production). Dundee is still showing just the new Peugeot 1.6 liter engines, destined for STLA Medium vehicles. Kokomo is the sole producer of 2.0 liter GME “Hurricane4” engines so far, while Saltillo has an exclusive on the Hurricane and Hemi alike.  The Pentastar V6 is made in both Saltillo and Trenton, Michigan.