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Jeep Wrangler to get better V6

POWER-UP: Jeep’s hardcore Wrangler 4x4 will benefit from a new 209kW V6, set to debut by early 2012.
POWER-UP: Jeep’s hardcore Wrangler 4x4 will benefit from a new 209kW V6, set to debut by early 2012.
Jeep’s Wrangler is a super-capable off-roader.

Unfortunately, the its on-road cruising ability is severely hampered by a range of rather antiquated drivetrains - especially its 3.8 V6 petrol engine.

Fortunately, change is now (at last) on the cards for the Wrangler engine line-up thanks to Chrysler’s sophisticated (by Wrangler standards) 3.6 Penatstar V6.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne announced the drivetrain upgrade while unpacking Chrysler’s third-quarter financial results on Monday.

CONTEMPORARY TECH

The new engine may be smaller by 200cc than the 3.8 V6 it will replace yet has dual-overhead camshafts with independent cam phasing – a quantum leap in technology from the current Wrangler V6’s pushrod valves.

Interestingly, for an off-road application such as the Wrangler, the Pentastar V6 is radically oversquare in terms of internal architecture. It has a cylinder bore of 96mm and a stroke of 83mm, enabling a 7200rpm maximum crank speed.

Statistically, the new V6 will produce 209kW and 353Nm, improvements of 33 and 11% over the current 3.8 engine. Fuel consumption is reduced by 11%.

Jeep is expected to finish technical validation of its the Pentastar Wrangler V6 towards the end of 2011 and it should be in showrooms in 2012.
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