Stellantis in-line six for NY show: report

STELLATIS is all but ready to release its HEMI-replacing in-line six to the motoring public. 

According to a report published in Autoblog this week, the turbocharged I6 unit – likely 3.0 litres in capacity – will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show in April, ending a 71-year production run for Chrysler’s long-serving hemispherical combustion chamber design.

It is understood the engine will make its debut in “a Jeep variant” this year with brand chief Jim Morrison telling Autoblog the new turbocharged mill will likely be unveiled to the world’s motoring media on April 13. 

It is anticipated the engine will be phased in as a replacement to the long-serving iron-block 5.7-litre (345ci) HEMI V8, which has been employed in a variety of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles since it was introduced in the Dodge Ram pick-up truck back in 2003. 

The more economical and cleaner burning engine is tipped to be “more appealing to Stellantis from a CAFE standpoint,” Autoblog says, suggesting it is likely to enter service under the bonnet of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and all-new Wagoneer or similar rear and all-wheel drive platform vehicles. 

Other reports suggest the engine may also see service in the recently updated RAM 1500 pick-up truck.

FCA filed a patent application for its GME-T6 (Global Medium Engine Turbocharged 6) engine with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in April of 2019. 

The supporting image clearly shows a turbocharger and exhaust gas recirculation system as part of the design, and with possible 48-volt eBooster mild-hybrid technology – part of the ZF-sourced 8HP transmission with built-in electric motor – to help eliminate turbo lag. 

The engine is also said to be plug-in hybrid compatible.

It has been suggested the engine may output anywhere from 268kW to 373kW, the latter state of tune entering as a direct replacement for Chrysler’s now shelved 7.0-litre HEMI V8.

It has also been suggested that the lower state of tune will see the new I6 replace Stellantis’ now decade-old 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, though this speculation is unfounded. 

The new in-line six-cylinder engine will likely be produced at Stellantis’ Saltillo Engine Plant in Caohuila, Mexico, the same factory which currently builds 5.7-, 6.2-, and 6.4-litre HEMI V8s. It’s expected the I6 will be of all aluminium construction, offering significant weight savings over the previous iron block / aluminium head design of the outgoing HEMI V8.

The New York International Auto Show opens to motoring media on April 13 with gates opened to the public from April 15 – 24.