4-cylinder turbo for the all new Jeep Wrangler

The new engine is a member of FCA’s Global Medium Engine family and is loosely related to Alfa Romeo’s 2.0-liter found in Giulia sedan and Stelvio crossover. In this new Wrangler, the Hurricane makes an impressive 270 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at only 3,000 rpm. That torque number actually beats the output of the 3.6-liter V-6 by 35 pound-feet! Better still, the Hurricane makes its power lower in the rev range, likely making it a better choice for serious off-roading. Horsepower-wise, the Hurricane only gives up 15 ponies to the V-6.

The natural trade-off is fuel economy. Neither Jeep nor the EPA have announced official numbers, but expect to see upper 20s on the highway, lower 20s around town, and a combined mpg of around 25.

The Hurricane has a mild hybrid system. The engine uses a belt-starter-generator to help twist the engine’s crankshaft at lower revs. The system is also designed to provide better auto stop/start performance while also improving low-end throttle response before the turbo spools up.

Impressively, the turbo-four loses no ground in the towing department to the V-6. Jeep says the two-door Wrangler will tow 2,000 pounds and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited will lug 3,500 pounds regardless of engine choice. The Hurricane is only offered with the new 8-speed automatic.