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2018 Jeep Wrangler to Debut Hurricane Turbo-4 Engine

2018 Jeep Wrangler mule 1 photo
Photo: SB-Medien/Stefan Baldauf
Slated to start production sometime next year, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler is rumored to be offered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine dubbed the Hurricane. The four-cylinder powerplant is able to churn out “to the tune of almost 300 horsepower.”

As per a report published by Automotive News, the Hurricane will be made by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles at the Trenton Engine Complex after an investment of $75 million. The high-performance four-banger boasts goodies such as an aluminum block, twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection, and variable valve timing. Alfa Romeo already uses a version of it, christened GME (Global Medium Engine).

In the Giulia sedan’s case, the 2.0-liter turbo-4 develops from 200 PS to 280 PS. Converted to mechanical horsepower, that’ll be 197 and 276 HP, respectively. In any case, the availability of a turbocharged four-cylinder would render the tried-and-tested 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) 3.6-liter Pentastar obsolete.

It goes without saying that frugality would be better than the V6’s 17 mpg city (13.8 l/100 km), especially if you consider that an 8-speed automatic will be matched with the Hurricane turbo-4. Nevertheless, the arrival of the Hurricane won’t spell the end of the Pentastar. In Europe, the Jeep Wrangler (JL) could probably get a 3.0-liter diesel developed by Italian manufacturer VM Motori.

There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the next generation of the Wrangler, but there’s no denying a hybrid variant inspired by it will be offered. Mark Allen, the head of design at Jeep, also confirmed the arrival of a crew cab pickup truck body style. More intriguingly, aluminum will be added to the mix to bring the weight down. And yes, the solid axles will soldier on, as will the boxy shape and body-on-frame design.

According to Jeep chief exec Mike Manley, you “will see continued improvements in powertrains... We are the benchmark, so I want to push the benchmark even further.” Keep those fingers crossed Mike isn't just bluffing.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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