why chrysler needs the hemi opinion Jumpstart Chrysler's comeback with eight cylinders DETROIT – Strolling among the exhibits at the Stellantis heritage collection, I'm struck by how deeply the company cares about its engine heritage. My eyes fall on the crimson 2012 Dodge Viper Stryker. The placard reads: V10. Farther back, I linger at the 1953 Hudson Hornet, 5.0 inline six. Hell, even Jeep is rightfully proud of its 4.0-liter straight sixes that ran forever in XJs and Wranglers. This company knows how to build an engine, and that's what it should do for the Chrysler brand. At the risk of being cliché, I suggest that Chrysler bring back the Hemi in the 300C sedan. Hear me out. This isn't a buff-book hot take or fan-boy fantasy. It's not even a long-term strategy. It's a band-aid-albeit a high-profile one-to resurrect Chrysler. why chrysler needs the hemi opinion Chrysler: A Family Of One Right now, the namesake brand of the company founded by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 has one vehicle, a minivan-that's actually a good starting place. Unlike siblings Alfa Romeo and Maserati, the Chrysler brand has a product that's capable of paying the bills and adding scale. Chrysler sold more than 110,000 Pacifics last year, and it's one of the best minivans you can buy. It's finally getting a refresh for 2027. Throw in nearly 4,000 Voyagers (a budget-oriented version of the Pacifica) and apparently 15 leftover Chrysler 300 models, and the Pentastar brand sold more than 126,000 vehicles last year. That's 24-percent more than its corporate sibling, Dodge. Chrysler also outsold Lincoln, Infiniti, and paced just behind Acura on the 2025 U.S. sales chart. New Chrysler CEO Matt McAlear ( whom we just talked to on the AutoGuide Show) at least has something to work with here. why chrysler needs the hemi opinion What Should Chrysler Do Next? Well, with EPA deregulation in full swing, there's time for Chrysler to slide in with a V8 and get some attention. That's literally Stellantis' main strategy for Ram, Dodge, and Jeep. Or at least it's a smokescreen while it builds out a better product lineup, sorts its EV strategy, and workshops its pricing and marketing. Either way, it seems to be working. While V8s will never totally go away, it's been a minute since they've been almost encouraged by the federal government. That may not be a good thing for society, but people like them in a lot of different segments, like trucks and premium cars. You can have a sustainable company and tailor the V8 to specific areas. Mercedes does a pretty good job of that, with a portfolio of EVs and AMGs. 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness: All the Details why chrysler needs the hemi opinion Chrysler's Potential V8 Playbook Back to the 300C. Instead of giving it to the Charger, which doesn't totally need it right now, use the STLA platform to build a sedan for Chrysler and drop the Hemi in there first. McAlear, who also runs Dodge, would seemingly know the right people to make this happen. If you want an American V8 sedan, once again, you've got to buy a Chrysler. This is the playbook DaimlerChrysler used with the LX platform to rebuild Chrysler and then Dodge, building muscle at a time when the rest of the industry was retreating to smaller cars. Chrysler's heritage is one of boom and bust-but also zigging when everyone else zags. why chrysler needs the hemi opinion A Hemi-Powered Chrysler Sedan Roll out a Hemi-powered 300C, and you can still give Dodge the Hemi a few months later. Then get to work on a midsize SUV for Chrysler. Use the Durango/Grand Cherokee platform and capture some of those minivan buyers whose children are getting older, but still go to your showrooms for oil changes. There's parents who refuse to buy a minivan, even if they know it's in their best interest. Maybe they look at the Pacifica, can't quite bring themselves to sign on the dotted line, but a three-row, full-size or mid-size SUV is 10 feet to the left. Maybe dad remembers how cool the Magnum and Charger were 20 years ago and feels a tug with a modern 300C in the same showroom. While we're asking for things, use the Recon's architecture to do Chrysler a solid with some type of electric car. why chrysler needs the hemi opinion Even if the Charger's V8 is too far along-which it probably is-to let Chrysler skip ahead, a Hemi-powered drone for Chrysler would still work. The Charger almost certainly will get the supercharged Hellcat V8 to separate it from the headlining 550 hp Hurricane models. Stellantis' North American brand chief Tim Kuniskis has already said as much. But hey, bring back the naturally aspirated 392 for the 300C, and suddenly, Chrysler has an old-school hot rod for contemporary shoppers. Finally, if all else fails or isn't practical, drop the high-output Hurricane straight six in the 300. We like that engine quite a bit here at AutoGuide . Chrysler doesn't need to be a full-line brand anymore. You can't do everything, but the highlights stay with you. A flagship 300C might last for a decade, but even if it only hangs on for a few years, by 2030, these other hypothetical products could be gaining traction, and the brand would be viable again. Just start under the hood with the Hemi V8. why chrysler needs the hemi opinion 2026 Polestar 4: All the Details