FCA’s inline-6 is going to be a monster
After a couple years of speculation, FCA’s inline-6 engine (codename Tornado) is still on its way. New information revealed by reliable sources indicate that the inline-6, which is based on the new 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine found in the Wrangler and Cherokee, will have multiple power levels ranging from around 300 horsepower to 525 horsepower.
If that 525 horsepower number sounds insane to you, it isn’t. A while back, there were reports of a naturally aspirated 7.0L “426” V8 engine being cooked up for high-performance Dodge, Jeep, and Ram applications. That engine was later said to be scrapped, and now that we know the inline-6 engine could produce up to 525 horsepower, perhaps losing the rumored 426 engine wasn’t such a great loss after all. To achieve this high horsepower rating, the high-end model would employ an electric turbocharger to minimize turbo lag and potentially a second, more traditional turbocharger.
What does this mean for FCA’s lineup? Well, we expect the Hemi range to be reduced or eliminated in most cars, SUVs, and light-duty trucks. While the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine is already on its way out, thanks in large part to the turbocharger 4-cylinder on which this new inline-6 is based, the 5.7L and 6.4L Hemi may also have an end in sight. With up to 525 horsepower, a mid-range version of the inline-6 could easily surpass the power figures achieved with the 5.7L Hemi in the Dodge cars, Durango, Grand Cherokee, and Ram 1500. The current 6.4L V8 engine makes 485 horsepower in the Dodge cars, so a 525 horsepower variant of the inline-6 could eclipse that figure as well.
With V8s less appealing thanks to advancements in lower-displacement and electrified engines, FCA / Stellantis is trying to stay ahead of competitors with their new engine lineup. Time will tell how consumers take to the inline-6 engine instead of more traditional Hemi V8s, but one thing is certain: this engine is going to be an absolute monster.
Updates: Stellpower.com has posted two relevant articles, “What’s in the new GME T6?” and “2024 Dodge Challenger’s new engine revealed.”
Newer update: The “Hurricane” has been launched.
Ryan had an obsession with cars from a young age, reading NADA books and MotorTrend magazine as well as sketching cars in elementary school. He has since moved on to creating renderings in Photoshop and writing about auto news.
What two plants will produce ?
If Fiat can get their act together and supply more reliable powertrains to the Chrysler lineup compared to the past this inline 6 could be a hit for them. But I have my doubts because the 2.0 liter 4 this engine is based on was unreliable junk.
There are several big benefits of having a inline vs V-6 engine configuration ..
Easier to service and much less prone to vibration than a V configuration.
Well I can ya’all one thing. If they don’t come up with more modern engines, my current GC will be the last one and I buy a Mercedes or X5 when the time has come.