I just read this

"Fiat’s MultiAir will be added to the World Engines, along with direct injection. Turbocharging, dropped by Cerberus, is planned for the 2.0 and 2.4. The 4.7 liter V8 will be dropped; the 6.1 liter Hemi will be replaced by a more economical 6.4 liter Hemi with cylinder deactivation and MultiAir.

Chrysler will build Fiat's 1.4 liter engine starting in 2010. The engine produces 100 hp at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm; a turbocharged version produces 170 hp @ 6,750 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The 2.4 liter World Engine has been upgraded to an estimated 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and an estimated 175 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm, so the turbo 1.4 is a viable alternative for smaller, lighter cars."
http://www.allpar.com/model/upcoming.html

 

The 4.7 is a solid engine and they put a lot of R&D into it, I can't see dropping it as a smart decision. Especially with the power increase after the 08 revamp. Only possible reason I could see for its demise is the stupid CAFE laws.

 

I feel the same way man. My long range plan once the aftermarket catches the 08+ 4.7L was to buy one, build it up and do a swap. I don't know, if KRC deliver the numbers they promise on our 4.7Ls, I might not swap.

 

I agree, the 4.7 is a solid engine, and with the performance world never really giving it the support it deserved, its going to die before it ever had a chance to show its full potential

 

So what will be the middle of the line motor for the Ram?

 

A Chevy colorado engine.

 

Come on there are engines out there that are smaller lighter and far more powerful then the 4.7 MoPar. The Lexus 4.6 is putting out 380 horses just as one of many examples. These other engines are very robust in torque as well. Fuel millage in these other engines are also in the mid twenties highway and combined in the lower twenties to upper teens. Chrysler has always produced fuel hogs. No one cared until 1973 and at that time no one had efficiency in the US market. Today Chrysler is so behind in this new age of power and efficiency. The 4.7 is a very good engine but was never really brought to its true potential to be completive. Chrysler simply has no money and Fiat controls its destiny and that’s no so good. I like see the Ram Truck brand become a total and separate entity. An American company on its own doing what is does best before it’s too late. A full line of diesel engines in real trucks all frame /box units. Smart gas engines that can surpass others in power and completive efficiency. We are driving 4.7s and 3.7s that are just plain over the top fuel hogs. Toyota has the same problems with many of their V6 and V8 line ups.

 

What we really need is a Cummins Dakota.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-jCuwhVv4w

 

I'd say the 4.7 is pretty competitive after the '08 upgrade. Keep in mind it makes the power and torque it does with torque to spare all across the rpm range, that Lexus engine is probably far more peaky and I'd rather run my truck into a tree than put Toyota garbage in it. I'd love to see that 4.6 tow like our trucks can, the 4.7 was built for use in trucks and built to do work. Honestly anyone who bought a full frame truck with a V8 and a 7,000lb towing capacity for gas mileage made a poor decision. If I was looking for gas mileage I wouldn't be driving a truck.

 

I stand corrected. The Toyota truck version (non turbo Lexus) is 310 HP and 327 pounds of TQ. It gets a sucky 15 city and 20 Hwy. Humm The Hemi is better then that new 4.6 Tundra and still better then their 5.7 also in all comparisons. Sorry Walter C. I was wrong.
The Ram is still a real world class contender. On the other hand we still have no Daks soon. Give the Dak a diesel and a Hemi and up the lacking build quality and that platform would start to set sales records again.