2017 Jeep Wrangler to Receive a 300 BHP Power train and an Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission, No Formal Announcements Made!

The 2017 Jeep Wrangler posed a serious challenge to the automakers, since, the designers and the engineers had to come up with a working design with more power and greater fuel economy. According to the latest reports, the engineers are likely to have solved both their problems with the use of a turbocharged engine block underneath the hood.

Like always, the 4×4 drivetrain gets the job done, and as a result, Jeep decided to keep the same on the upcoming Wrangler. Fiat-Chrysler was believed to be working on a new four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged powertrain for a while now and it seems like we will finally get to see the engine on the next-generation Wrangler.

Experts believe that the new engine block displaces around 300 BHP,and is codenamed “Hurricane”. The block features a direct-fuel injection technology,is all-aluminum,features twin-scroll turbo and has variable valve timing.

The upcoming engine block is rumored to be built at the FCA’s Trenton Engine Complex, just outside of Detroit. The company had announced last month that they would be making a significant investment in upgrading the production capacity of the plant while no reasons were stated behind the move.

The plant currently manufactures the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine block found on the current-generation Wrangler, which has a displacement capacity of 285 BHP. Reports claim that the plant will manufacture a new four-cylinder engine block.

If Fiat-Chrysler plans on offering the new Hurricane engine block on the 2017 Jeep Wrangler, it is likely to be offered as an option, since, an aluminum engine block will be expensive! The Wrangler is further rumored to sport an optional eight-speed automatic transmission.

Previous rumors suggested that the 2017 Jeep Wrangler sports a lightweight chassis and aluminum frame, along with diesel and hybrid powertrains, suggesting that Jeep is focusing extensively on fuel economy.

Even though a peppy diesel engine would be the perfect powertrain for cruising, it is insufficient for crawling over rocks, which Jeep is famous for. For this reason, we prefer a large naturally-aspirated engine block with a lot of torque to play with, over a turbocharged small-block engine any day!

Additional details regarding the 2017 Wrangler are scarce, since, the company is yet to make a formal announcement on the vehicle. The rumors mills started operating as soon as a camouflaged Wrangler was spotted testing on the road.

Even though the vehicle does not sport a revolutionary design change, the new vehicle is expected to be sleeker than its predecessor. Judging by the spy pictures, it is evident that the windshield is placed at a wider angle than the last-generation Wrangler while the body lines are rounded to offer better aerodynamics.

If it’s any consolation, the new four-cylinder engine block is expected to be a direct relative of the original engine block found on the Willy’s. However, a small block turbocharged diesel engine will not be as appealing as a naturally-aspirated big block, at least to the Jeep loyalists.

The presence of an automatic transmission system does not help the case. To give you an estimate of what a small block 2.0-liter engine block is capable of, the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine, which happens to be quite popular on the trucks, displaces 245 BHP while the four-cylinder turbocharged block on the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG and the GLA 45 AMG displaces 375 BHP.

Even though Jeep does not offer as much power, the vehicle has sufficient juice to keep your heart pounding. The ride dynamics on the 2017 Jeep Wrangler should be more advanced than the current-generation vehicle, which is one of the most technologically advanced Jeeps in the history of the company.

2 thoughts on “2017 Jeep Wrangler to Receive a 300 BHP Power train and an Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission, No Formal Announcements Made!”

  1. We’ve been hearing for YEARS about the Wrangler Diesel Engine for the U.S for as you know has NOT happened.
    Myself, I got tired of waiting.
    So, Now your talking about a 2.0 Turbo 4cyl engine? That sounds really GREAT to me, although, I would think if it’s offered ONLY with the 8 Spd Automatic for a JEEP, then that’s a BAD Combination. I mean, the 8 speed auto is a GREAT tranny, but…. Jeep lovers, also love they’re MANUAL
    Gearbox’s as well.. HOW about an 8 Speed MANUAL FIAT???
    THat would like be the Ultimate! Serious….
    There’s been Much development in Auto Transmissions over the last several years, and…. in the Manual Transmission business there’s been a big fat ZERO!
    WHAT GIVES?
    Just my .02 Cents.

    I Love the Turbo 4 Cyl Diesel concept… but..
    If it’s coupled to an 8 speed Auto only, or… a 6 Speed Manual, I’m not so sure I would go for it.
    DEFINETLY NOT WITH THE AUTO ONLY.

  2. We’ve been hearing for YEARS about the Wrangler Diesel Engine for the U.S for as you know has NOT happened.
    Myself, I got tired of waiting.
    So, Now your talking about a 2.0 Turbo 4cyl engine? That sounds really GREAT to me, although, I would think if it’s offered ONLY with the 8 Spd Automatic for a JEEP, then that’s a BAD Combination. I mean, the 8 speed auto is a GREAT tranny, but…. Jeep lovers, also love they’re MANUAL
    Gearbox’s as well.. HOW about an 8 Speed MANUAL FIAT???
    THat would like be the Ultimate! Serious….
    There’s been Much development in Auto Transmissions over the last several years, and…. in the Manual Transmission business there’s been a big fat ZERO!
    WHAT GIVES?
    Just my .02 Cents.

    I Love the Turbo 4 Cyl Diesel concept… but..
    If it’s coupled to an 8 speed Auto only, or… a 6 Speed Manual, I’m not so sure I would go for it.
    DEFINETLY NOT WITH THE AUTO ONLY.

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