2012 Jeep Wrangler will get a more powerful Pentastar engine

[TerryMason]

It looks like Jeep's heard enough "minivan engine" jokes, and plans on beefing things up a bit. They'll use the same engine that the 2011 Grand Cherokee had in the new Wranglers.

In the announcement on Chrysler's third-quarter sales results, the company's CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that next year's 2012 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will both get a new 3.6-liter V6 "Pentastar" engine. Mr. Marchionne also spoke of a new Dodge sedan as well, which is currently being developed on the underpinnings of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback.

The Pentastar V6 first debuted on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and is gradually making its way on other models, including the 2011 Dodge Charger and Grand Caravan.

Now it's the Wrangler's turn, which received a significantly upgraded interior for the 2011 model year, but Jeep's modernizing efforts were somewhat overshadowed by the old 3.8-liter V6, capable of delivering 202 hp (151 kW).

The new engine will solve this problem, though output is not known yet. For the record, the the Pentastar V6 produces 283 hp (211 kW) and 305 hp (227 kW) on the aforementioned Dodge models.

From an article on carscoop.

 

[southtj]

http://www.jeepz.com/forum/general-chat/31709-2012-wranglers-get-pentastar-motors.html

 

[xt master]

We can all dream,some day a factory Hemi in a wrangler.

 

[jps4jeep]

We can all dream,some day a factory Hemi in a wrangler.

Will never happen due to front end collision crash standards, which is rumored to be why they got rid of the straight 6

 

[Phantom]

Straight six was the best engine ever built in my opinion

 

[Jester32]

Straight six was deleted due to its inability to pass emissions. It would have required a complete overhaul and re design it was more economical to use an engine that has had an almost equal reliability history.

 

[rayko]

Inability to pass emissions? where?
I live in Jersey where they have emissions testing, I never had a problem.

 

[Jason4x4]

That reminds me, I have to get my 4.0 smogged before January...

 

[Jester32]

They passed for the year. Ever year has diff specifications. Each manufacture gets bonuses and tax rebates to meet total emmission standards. The new 3.8 is very very clean compared to tge 4.0 l. You can rip one down with 100000 kms and the pistons are clean. Very low oil consumption etc etc. It has nothing to do with smog testing but overall emission and fuel economy ratings.