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JEEP LIKELY TO DEBUT TORNADO TWIN TURBO ENGINE AT NEW YORK AUTO SHOW

The Engine Could Replace The Beloved 392 Hemi V8 In The Grand Cherokee SRT

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WL Trailhawk Stellantis
Image via Jeep

The 2022 Chicago Auto Show has come and gone, and while the show is normally a snoozer, there was a lot fresh new product that many automotive media got to see for the first time. This included everything from the Chevrolet Silverado EV to the Ford Bronco Raptor, as well as big debuts from last year such as the 2023 Corvette Z06, GMC Sierra AT4X and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe. Stellantis even brought some executives, such as Jim Morrison, the current North American chief of Jeep. Often a great interview, Morrison hinted (but stopped short of confirming) to Autoblog that the anticipated Tornado inline-six turbo engine (aka the GME-T6) is set to debut at the 2022 New York Auto Show this spring.

Dodge Challenger Slant 6 Patent Tornado Twin Trubo I6 Straight Six Jeep WL Grand Cherokee SRT Hybrid 4xe Charger
Image via USPTO.

Stellantis Tornado GME-T6 Engine: Details

The Tornado engine is the automaker’s worst-kept secret, with even official Stellantis web pages listing that the turbo six has begun assembly in the Saltillo, Mexico manufacturing complex. This follows the discovery of patent drawings, while some reports allege that it will phase out the Hemi V8 engine in multiple applications.

While there’s speculation that the Tornado engine would find itself into the opulently full-sized Jeep Wagoneer and/or Grand Wagoneer, being that it’s built alongside the Ram 1500 in Warren Truck doesn’t seem like the tooling and manufacturing cadence has things going in that direction. Instead, what’s most likely is that this twin-turbo straight six will debut in a performance variant of the WL Jeep Grand Cherokee. Whether or not it would be the next-gen Grand Cherokee SRT is unclear at this time, but that could mean that the beloved 6.4L Hemi V8 engine (aka the 392) would be exchanged for two less cylinders and a pair of turbos, and perhaps electrification assistance, as well. This setup could rival the 700+ hp output of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, as rumored, but we’ll have to do some digging to find out for sure.

This transition from NA V8 to TT I6 likely has more to do with the regulatory side of things than the market demand side of things, as it’s rare to come across a performance customer who doesn’t love the howl and power curve of a 392 Hemi.

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Image Via Stellantis

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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