Chrysler's Turbo Diesel Engine Wins Spot in Ward's 10 Best Engines Awards

CHRYSLER GROUP 5.7-LETER HEMI AND 3.0-LETER V-6 TURBO DIESEL TAKE TWO SPOTS IN WARD'S 10 BEST ENGINES AWARDS

-- HEMI wins for fifth consecutive year

-- DaimlerChrysler advanced diesel technology recognized by industry experts

-- Both Chrysler Group winning engines available in 2007 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 12 -- For the fifth year in a row -- and every year since its 2003 re-introduction -- Chrysler Group's famous 5.7-liter HEMI(R) engine has earned a place on Ward's 10 Best Engines list. Joining the HEMI in winning the award is DaimlerChrysler's 3.0-liter V-6 Turbo Diesel, available in the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

"We are pleased that Chrysler Group has delivered two engines among Ward's 10 prestigious winners," said Bob Lee, Vice President -- Powertrain, Chrysler Group. "The HEMI continues to impress as an engine that offers the combination of power and fuel efficiency our customers demand, while the 3.0-liter V-6 CRD Turbo Diesel boasts an unsurpassed blend of acceleration, torque and fuel economy."

First introduced in the 2003 Dodge Ram, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 achieves power, fuel economy and emissions goals with a design that is elegant and cost effective. The engine is available in the Chrysler 300, Chrysler Aspen, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Ram.

Standard equipment on all 5.7-liter HEMI applications (with the exception of the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500) is Chrysler Group's innovative Multi- displacement System (MDS), which improves fuel economy by as much as 20 percent. MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy four- cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7-liter HEMI engine is in demand.

"There's nothing more American than the V-8, and we think the modern HEMI is the best of the breed," said Bill Visnic, Senior Technical Editor, Ward's AutoWorld. "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 high-performance 6.1-liter version of the HEMI V-8 is offered in many of Chrysler Group's SRT lineup of vehicles, including the Chrysler 300C SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Magnum SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The 6.1- liter HEMI features strengthened components -- including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft and high-strength connecting rods -- and generates additional power with more cubic inches, higher compression ratio, higher engine speed and enhanced engine breathing, courtesy of special cylinder heads and manifolds.

The HEMI V-8 engine is manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico.

Joining the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 on Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2007 is the new 3.0-liter V-6 common-rail diesel (CRD) Turbo Diesel. Available in the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the advanced diesel engine features more torque than most eight-cylinder engines, impressive acceleration and fuel economy that rivals a small six-cylinder gasoline engine.

The Mercedes-built 3.0-liter CRD is one of the most advanced powerplants available in the marketplace today. It is designed to be an efficient, smooth- running engine with up to 30-percent improved fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

Built in Berlin, Germany, the 3.0-liter CRD produces 215 horsepower and 376 lb.-ft. of torque.