The push-rod engine, no matter how ancient it is, is a proven engine that has become the "trademark" of American cars. They are cheap to manufacture and build, which is one big plus point: there's gonna be power for more people, and not just the high-end buyers like high-powered European cars aim for.

OK so maybe the hp/L figures aren't that fantastic, but those engines sure are torquey: I had a go around in the 300C SRT-8 and oh boy, for the price of an E200, I'll get the SRT-8 anyday.