[Dave Z]

FWIW, a smaller V8 doesn't sound like a terrible idea, but it takes years to do a new engine. It wouldn't be available for three years at the earliest. My thought is the best thing for "I need a V8" people would be to convert the GME 2.0 into a very small, high performance V8, maybe suitable for sharing by Alfa Romeo. Less power than double the GME 2.0, but now we have a V8 that won't clobber the fuel economy numbers. If V8 only buyers are really that big a group adn not just very vocal.

Remembering that GM and Ford make V8s so the only-V8 crowd IS split.

 

[Dave Z]

So, is that all that a truck is for today, smoke the tires? I could give two sh-ts about that. I want a truck that is first, very reliable, second, fairly economical, and third, enough butt to haul or pull with decent power. The more boost pressure you add to small engines, the more more likelihood it's not going to be very reliable. For "normal" pickups there needs to be a sweetspot. I'm not even sure with an 8sp you need anywhere near 420hp to achieve that spot.

So economical and enough power are what you want - standard output Hurricane is far more economical than the midgrade-requiring 5.7 V8. As for reliable, are you so sure a turbo makes it less reliable? Remembering again that turbos work just fine in diesels, all of which have them.

 

[Dave Z]

I do think it's interesting they opted for such a high output I6 instead of conjoining the 2.0T I4 motors to make a 4.0TT V8 motor like the Germans. I have to imagine they investigated that route at some point.

I suspect there was much more tunnel vision under Sergio than is healthy. He wanted to control everything (but didn't take responsibility except for "I didn't control this as much as I should have.") That said, there are good reasons for making the six - such as length.

 

[Dave Z]

I had a 318 V8. Yay, it's a V8! Sure, it can be outrun by nearly any four-cylinder in the US, but it's got eight holes and the right exhaust sound!
(I do have a friend who did the "360 conversion" to his 318, and that's got a lot more power. I wonder if he could outrace my wife's 300C V6?)

 

[Dave Z]

As it's the Ram rather than the Wagoneer it must be unique parts - the wiring harnesses would be different, so that would explain it.
I would guess some executive demanded cost cuts from the suppliers and is reaping the benefits of lower quality costs.