FCA's Pentastar V6 Could Soon Make Way For A Turbocharged I6
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is planning to retire the ubiquitous Pentastar V6 in favour of a new straight-six with turbocharging.
The Pentastar engine, first released in 2010 to feature in Jeeps, Dodges and Chryslers, has since seen service in everything from the Wrangler to the Dodge Charger. Built in 3.0-, 3.2- and 3.6-litre capacities with up to 305bhp, it’s something of a modern institution.
But, according to a report on the FCA enthusiast website Allpar.com, a new inline-six is being developed that could fill an even broader remit than the Pentastar does. With turbocharging it will match or better the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 for power and torque, be vastly more fuel-efficient and even compact enough to slot into almost any FCA platform.
The target, says the report, is to make the engine just three inches longer – at most – than FCA’s current 2.4-litre four-pot. That will involve counting every millimetre and swapping old-school steel cylinder linings for thinner hardened aluminium, for example. It could also go comparatively long on stroke but narrow on bore, to help shorten the block.
And yet it won’t be a small-capacity engine. Coming in below three litres will bring tax advantages in certain markets around the world while maintaining enough volume to generate big power outputs. Turbocharging could be supplied by either a single twin-scroll snail or twin items in FCA’s more serious performance cars.
The first car likely to get the new engine is the Jeep Wagoneer or, if not that, the next Cherokee. Both would benefit from the natural balance and smooth torque of a turbocharged straight-six – and they would soon be joined by dozens of others.
Source: Allpar via Motor Authority
Comments
This is good news. Inline-6 engines are a million times better than V6s.
Yes in some ways but I agree with you
True
True
True
Can someone explain the difference. Sorry if this offends anyone I am a noob and don’t know anything about v-engines or i-engines or anyother type
Just a small error MattKimberley
The subtitle says “Jeep and Chevrolet” but I think you meant Chrysler…
Thanks for the note - and yep, you’re right.
An inline-six in a Jeep would be pretty cool with a manual transmission
You mean like they had from 1987 to 2006 in virtually every model?? The Jeep 4.0 straight six…
Performance straight sixes are something America has never really taken a crack at. Back in 1967, Pontiac nearly did however. They put some real effort into their base-model 4.1l straight six and well… from what I understand, those who bought it loved it. The thing that made them special was that they came from the showroom with a single overhead cam in 1967! They made 215hp at 5200rpm which even today is respectable. So I guess the big three have always known how to make a performance straight six but… People don’t know how to buy them.
This is awesome news. America has always had bigger engines so while everyone is forced to downsize they’ll be going from eight to six instead of six to four.
The barra is the closest we got and americans didnt even get it
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this.
And for a moment I thought straight sixes were on the way out. I’m happy they’re making a return
Wasn’t the Penstar V6 like one of the Worst Engines ever made? Behind the Cadillac V8 6-4 and those old early 3cyls?
No the pentastar replaced that v6 ur thinking of
Reminds me of my old Jeep with the good ol’ 4.0. Had the most torque of anything I’ve owned save for my F-150 and diesel VW.
Yeah, but can it fart?
I think that’s the question we are all asking really
Undersquare PoS.
Won’t rev, won’t be tunable, will come in SUVs, probably auto only.
That’s what I thought with small bore and long stroke.