[Wrangler JL News]

We've talked about the JL's body, chassis and potential for a pickup but now lets talk power.

First up, its safe to assume the JL will continue to offer the Pentastar V6, in all likelyhood it will remain the Wranglers standard engine. The Pentastar has undergone a rework for the 2016 Model Year with most of the work going into reducing pumping loses and internal friction. FCA claims the new V6 offers 15% better torque below 3,000 RPM, fuel economy improves 6%.

Sticking to gasoline there are also rumours that the JL could make use of oft rumoured Hurricane Turbo 4 cylinder. Its thought that the Hurricane could be built in 2 flavours 2.0 and 2.4, the 2.4 could potentially reach 300 hp and be a suitable replacement for the V6. Jeep could offer the Hurricane 2.4T as an upgrade engine over the Pentastar for those interested in fuel economy.

On the diesel front its thought that Jeep could offer up the Wrangler with an oil burner for the first time in America. The most likely candidate is the VM Motori 2.8L 4 cylinder turbo diesel. Jeep engineers would already be familiar with this engine as its offered as an option on European Wranglers. There is also potential for it to use the 2.0 MultiJet diesel from the Renegade, however that might be too underpowered for American tastes, making 103 hp and 258 lb-ft of twist. The last option could come from the UK Cherokee, the 2.2L MultiJet II makes 200 hp and 324 lb-ft of torque.

There has also been talk of Jeep considering a mild hybrid model, but few details are available from Jeep outside of a few coments about instant torque delivery. "You have the potential for hybrid powertrains in the future. For those people who use the Wrangler, the most important thing is the initial torque and the crawl ratio.”

 

[gladiator]

I'm all for the 2.8 since it's what gives the power we need and want and it's an easier move for Jeep, something that makes it easier to offer us than to bring something completely new.

 

[Gina]

If the VM Motori 2.8L 4 cylinder turbo diesel is already offered in Europe I don't see why it won't be well received here. Most Wrangler JL owners will be using it for off road riding and the extra diesel boost would help. And Diesel is cheaper where I am so that's a plus.

How much more hp does the 2.8L have when compared to the 2.2L?

 

[gladiator]

Not only for off road but to also make it that more of an attractive vehicle on the market with the growing number of fuel efficient vehicles, this will help them slot in better.

 

[Sic]

If the VM Motori 2.8L 4 cylinder turbo diesel is already offered in Europe I don't see why it won't be well received here. Most Wrangler JL owners will be using it for off road riding and the extra diesel boost would help. And Diesel is cheaper where I am so that's a plus.

How much more hp does the 2.8L have when compared to the 2.2L?

same HP, 200. Torque is more for 2.8, 340 ft-lbs

 

[gladiator]

Being a big four cylinder that torque figure isn't too surprising... one of the things I really like about these bigger power plants. At least we should be able to get off the line quicker

 

[Gina]

An anonymous source told jalopnik that the Wrangler JL will come with two versions of the 3.6-liter Pentastar engine, a 3.0- and a 2.2-liter diesel, and two versions of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

There's no way to confirm if this is true or not, but maybe the source is real and these are what we're getting.

 

[Johnson]

I'm going to be taking this with a grain of salt as I doubt they would have so many different types of engines for the JL. Doesn't make sense.

 

[JeepFan]

An anonymous source told jalopnik that the Wrangler JL will come with two versions of the 3.6-liter Pentastar engine, a 3.0- and a 2.2-liter diesel, and two versions of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

There's no way to confirm if this is true or not, but maybe the source is real and these are what we're getting.

I believe that being what's being offered among all markets but for specific markets we'll see this being trimmed.

 

[Gina]

Wouldn't it be great if a hybrid Wrangler worked by having a very fuel efficient diesel generator charging the battery constantly to power the electric motors? I think the Chevy volt does something similar.

 

[JeepFan]

Wouldn't it be great if a hybrid Wrangler worked by having a very fuel efficient diesel generator charging the battery constantly to power the electric motors? I think the Chevy volt does something similar.

Diesel engines cost more to make and with a vehicle still somewhat affordable it won`t be a good idea. Likely FCA already has some gasoline engines they can use for that simple purpose, if its just charging they need then why invest millions more than they should?