Jeep fires up with new twin-turbo inline-six engine

Stellantis has confirmed an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine will become a powerful core ingredient for a host of models across its stable including Jeep, RAM, Dodge and potentially its European brands such as Alfa Romeo.

Built around a cast aluminium block and apparently devoid of electrification such as mild-hybrid assistance – initially, at least – the new ‘Hurricane’ engine will be available in two distinct states of tune: 298kW/610Nm (‘standard output’) and, impressively, 373kW/644Nm (‘high output’).

While the exact power and torque figures will vary depending on the model application, Stellantis says the new engine offers “V8-rivalling performance while being up to 15 per cent more efficient”.

It will be the “primary internal combustion powerplant” of the North American STLA Large and STLA Frame platform vehicles, entering the first wave of production models later this year.

Those models are still to be confirmed, but the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler sold in Australia should be among the first beneficiaries.

Sharing its bore and stroke with the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder found at the centre of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, the Hurricane engine features plasma transfer wire arc (PTWA) sprayed cylinders to help improve longevity and efficiency.

A high-pressure fuel-injection system squirts fuel into the cylinders at 5075psi while the standard-output version’s turbochargers deliver up to 22psi of boost.

The high-output engine ups the boost pressure to 26psi but runs at a lower compressions ratio of 9.5:1 versus the standard output’s 10.4:1.

With each turbo acting on three cylinders each, Stellantis says lag has been kept to a minimum and that both versions will maintain “at least 90 per cent of peak torque from 2350rpm, all the way to its red line” in conjunction with the fully independent variable valve timing.

Unlike Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and Mazda, which all utilise mild-hybrid technology on their inline six-cylinder engines, Stellantis hasn’t yet detailed any form of electrification for Hurricane.

However, the company says the new engine has been designed to be compatible with electrification further down the line, most likely with a plug-in hybrid electric powertrain system as per its donor four-cylinder mil.

“As Stellantis aims to become the US leader in electrification, with a 50 per cent battery-electric vehicle sales mix by 2030, internal combustion engines will play a key role in our portfolio for years to come and we owe it to our customers and the environment to provide the cleanest, most efficient propulsion possible,” said Stellantis head of propulsion systems, Micky Bly.

“The Hurricane twin-turbo is a no-compromise engine that delivers better fuel economy and an important reduction in greenhouse gases without asking our customers to give up performance.”

BMW has long been a flag bearer for straight-six engines, but relative newcomers like Genesis are also steadily making the switch across on account of the greater refinement, simplicity and easier packaging afforded over a V6, especially where forced induction is concerned.

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