New 500-HP Straight-Six Engines For Jeep And Ram Won't Replace The Hemi V8

Mar. 25, 2022 2:37 PM ET by Jarryd Neves Engine / 15 Comments

Instead, it will be offered above the much-loved V8.

With ever-tightening emissions legislation and pressure from environmental groups, automakers have been forced to come up with new ways to reduce harmful exhaust gases and improve gas mileage but, crucially, provide improved performance. Many are managing this by downsizing or hybridizing gas engines, allowing for diminished pollution and improved acceleration.

When Stellantis announced it would introduce an all-new 3.0-liter straight-six, many were convinced it would spell the end of the road for the much-loved but long-in-the-tooth Hemi V8. However, that's not the case. Per Automotive News, the new Hurricane engine won't be a Hemi replacement. The good news is the venerable V8 will live on, alongside the new inline-six motor.

The smaller, more modern engine will be more powerful, though. Two states of tune are set to be offered; a Standard Output with over 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, and a High Output version, with over 500 hp and 475 lb-ft. That makes it more powerful than the bigger Hemi V8, available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and several other vehicles.

The company did not identify which vehicles the new twin-turbo motor will be offered in but did say it was designed for front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles. This could potentially be any number of candidates, from the Dodge Charger to the eventual replacement of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and more. Stellantis will confirm the availability of the new powertrain once MY2023 vehicles arrive.

Automotive News further notes the Grand Wagoneer (an AWD vehicle across the range at present) is likely to receive the engine. An image of the motor briefly appeared on the SUV's configurator, listing the turbocharged inline-six as a $2,000 option. Shortly afterward, it was removed. The move toward cleaner engines is part of Stellantis' plan to transition to battery power in the coming years.

Head of propulsion systems, Micky Bly, noted the new engine reduces CO₂output when compared to similar or larger engines, including the 3.6-liter V6. Incredibly, it also shows a 15% improvement in gas mileage, compared to the as-yet-unnamed engines it will replace. The aforementioned High Output model will focus on performance, with the Standard Output catering to efficiency.

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Driving Front Angle

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Rear Perspective Driving

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Interior Overview

It's an immensely clever piece of engineering. Technology abounds; each turbo feeds three cylinders which provides a more rapid throttle response. What's more, the direct injection system funnels fuel into the cylinders at 5,075 psi. Aside from this, increased performance and efficiency are achieved through the dual water-cooled exhaust manifolds, which are integrated into the cylinder head.

If the new Hurricane engine won't replace the Hemi V8, which engine will it replace? It's unlikely that it will be the 3.6-liter V6. It could, perhaps, supplant the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel found in several Stellantis offerings, such as the Ram 1500. The 260-hp diesel already commands a $2,200 premium over the Hemi V8 in the pickup truck, so it's likely to be the case.

Stellantis notes the new 3.0-liter shares several design features, such as bore and stroke and cylinder spacing, with the company's turbocharged 2.0-liter i-4, found in the Grand Cherokee 4XE and several other models.