Five Finalists Named in "What Can You HEMI®?" Contest

• Finalists to see their HEMI-powered dreams become realities
• Grand Prize Winner wins a HEMI-powered Chrysler, Jeep_® or Dodge vehicle
• Sketches available online at www.WhatCanYouHemi.com

While a HEMI®-powered grill was revving in the background, five finalists were announced today in Chrysler Group’s “What Can You HEMI®?” contest.  The finalists, whose entries were chosen from among hundreds submitted throughout the U.S. and Canada, were on-hand when their entries were revealed at an event held at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, in Michigan, and will now see their HEMI-powered inventions become realities.

Once built, the five finalist entries will be showcased and one Grand Prize Winner will be named in June. That winner will receive a HEMI-powered Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge vehicle of their choice.

“The HEMI engine has taken the hottest new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles to new levels in power and technology and now it will do the same for these creations, which include a snowblower, ice resurfacing machine, paper shredder, merry-go-round and trike,” said Frank Klegon, Chrysler Group Vice President- Product Development Process and Components. “The entries from these five finalists stood out from the rest based on creativity, engineering feasibility, safety and functionality.”

The five finalists are:

• HEMI Snowblower – Tim Flucht, Belleville, Mich. – a faster, more efficient solution to today’s snow blower options 

• HEMI on Ice– Dan Burg, Lindenhurst, Ill. – pack and smooth ice with a higher powered vehicle that is fitting for hockey’s rough and tough fans

• HEMI Shredder – Randy and Robin Fredner, Earlysville, Va. – from paper to wood, there isn’t a load this machine can’t tear to pieces

• HEMI-Go-Round - Jonathan Brzon, Topeka, Kan. – an ‘ode to classic muscle cars, this ride whips around faster than its original versions 

• HEMI Trike– Marcus Braun, Vancouver BC – reminiscent of a first bike, adults can relive their childhood with this more powerful adaptation

Chrysler Group launched the “What Can You HEMI?” contest in February in celebration of the legendary HEMI engine.  With “That Thing Got a HEMI?” becoming a household phrase -- serving as a constant reminder that anything with a HEMI engine is truly top notch -- Chrysler Group asked consumers the question: If you could infuse the power and torque of the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI engine into anything, what would it be?

Contestants had to submit their idea in a brief essay and support it with a sketch.  Contest information was available online at www.WhatCanYouHemi.com. More than 360 aspiring inventors submitted their wildest ideas before the April 6 postmark deadline.  

"Since its introduction to the public in 1951, the HEMI engine has revolutionized the automotive industry and fascination over the original muscle car engine continues today," said Klegon. "This contest was about extending the same power, torque and technology of the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI engine to make the ordinary, extra-ordinary and to have a lot of fun doing it."

Today, the modern 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine’s power and fuel efficiency has added to the success of vehicles like the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Ram and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The modern high performance HEMI engine delivers up to 345 horsepower and up to 390 pound-feet of torque.  With more than 500,000 engines sold, the take-rate across the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge lineups is 44%.

HEMI® Engine History
The HEMI engine was first made popular in 1951 when Chrysler Corporation introduced its entry in the post-war horsepower race.  Its power and efficiency made it an instant favorite for all sorts of motorsports vehicles.  Although reluctantly retired in 1959 due to high manufacturing cost, the HEMI design was still unsurpassed.  In 1964, NASCAR competition sparked the HEMI's return, and it has remained available for motorsport use ever since.  Chrysler Group debuted the all-new modern 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine in 2002 on the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500.