On Monday, FCA US announced that it would be making a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine for use with hybrid powertrains in two American vehicles. This engine appears to be a new edition in the established EP6 series.
The first EP6 four-cylinders had rather public issues with the valve timing; when these were fixed, PSA assigned the name PureTech to the engines to separate them from the less reliable models.
As we stated on Monday, the EP6CDTX variant of the 1.6 liter Peugeot engine is good for 201 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, using a twin-scroll turbo and direct injection; however, since it will be part of a hybrid powertrain, those numbers aren’t really relevant. The EP6CDTX hybrid setup, using an electrified Aisin transmission, was good for 296 horsepower; with an electric motor on the rear axle, the system generated 360 hp.
The version to be made in Michigan (and which might replace the 1.5 GSE engines used in the Tonale and Hornet) replaces the Aisin transmission with a new setup developed with Punch; it uses a design similar to a dual-clutch automatic, with electric motors built in. No power ratings for this have been released yet, but it is likely to be made in standard and PHEV (plug-in) versions.
Stellantis said the new setup will be used on “all compact SUVs developed on the STLA Medium (or e-VMP) platform.”
American production is earmarked for Dundee, Michigan, starting in 2025. In Europe, they will be made in Hungary, to the tune of 200,000 engines per year, starting in 2024. EP6 production is moving from Douvrin, which is switching to battery production.
This story was based on a longer report at Motales.com.
During the day, because of my job, I get to drive different Mopar vehicles (Chrysler, jeep, dodge, ram) on a daily basis so I really get to experience in real world settings just how these engines, vehicles and chassis respond to city, highway and suburban settings. From these experiences, I can truly say that alot of the regular commuter cars could stand to have revised powertrains and even with the small displacement engines, the added power of a hybrid electric assist would really help alot. Tim Kuniskis has stated over and over again that Dodge is going to do electric differently, but alot of us (myself included for a time), when we think of electrification, we think little mundane commuters or even the minimalistic designs of certain other manufacturers, which isn’t necessarily the mold everyone has to go in. Another thing is that these new electrified gearboxes are just the beginning of the next-generation of powertrain hybridization. These changes not only help in the efficiency but also in performance. I’m actually interested in seeing what these powertrains are going to be like and the improvements they’re going to make in the cars that are going to be coming out in the next few years. Sure it would be easier to just put a larger engine in most vehicles and revert back to just stuffing a v8 in everything, but with the way things are going with economy and the environment, here’s hoping that what Stellantis is doing will be something that will work to keep the EPA guys, the environmentalist and the enthusiast all happy.
I’ve been watching alot of what Stellantis has been doing, particular since I am a huge fan of the Mopar Muscle machines and I’m watching what is going on. People haven’t really been paying attention and everyone has been so upset about the “END OF V8 ENGINES!” and the end of the current mopar muscle platform, etc. They also haven’t really been paying attention to what the officials at Stellantis have been saying. Electrification is coming (correction, electrification is here!) the new platforms (STLA Medium and STLA Large) are already in production vehicles and they have electrified powertrains but not in the way people are paying attention to and/or fear. I’ve commented before on some of what I’m seeing that Stellantis is doing and as I said, being a gearhead and hotrod enthusiast, I’m seeing alot of things that make me remember the SRT4 performance vehicle and really feel like that kind of performance is coming back to the forefront for the Mopar Dodge/Jeep/Ram brand. As stated above, this new 1.6L Turbo engine in hybrid form makes anywhere from nearly 300hp to 360hp with undisclosed torque numbers. Remembering the SRT4 Neon made a monstrous for it’s time 230hp and the SRT4 Caliber made 285hp and 265lb-ft torque. Not to mention Mopar had performance stage kits for these engines that boosted numbers up substantially. Both Alfa Romeo and Dodge are brands built around performance and I would think that if Dodge is planning to continue their “bad boy” image into the new world, this little vehicle is going to be for the new world what the SRT neon was for the early 2000-era in the way of FWD based ultra high performance. As for the STLA Large platform, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is pretty much riding on the platform that the STLA Large will be based on, as is the Alfa Stelvio and Giulia. The Grand Cherokee already has the 2.0L 4XE powertrain which puts out 375hp/470tq (as I’ve stated this is 5.7L Horsepower and 6.4L torque) and we know the hurricane engines will be available as well in standard output with 420hp/468tq and High output with 500hp/510tq. I think it’s safe to assume that there will be a hybrid version of this powertrain as well, possibly two, one of which could use a system similar to the 4XE system while another may possibly feature that along with an electric motor on the rear axle, both of which would tuck under the “All conquering electric muscle car” which would be direct competition (or hopefully an alpha titan predator) for the Tesla Plaid. I’ve also stated with the Direct Connection performance division opening up (more than likely in place of the SRT brand) It’s safe to assume that gas-powered vehicles are not dead and that several emissions compliant performance upgrades will still be available for the next generation vehicles. This includes not only the next gen muscle cars and SUVs but also for the Jeep Wranglers and next Gen STLA frame vehicles which will include the next generation Durango and Ram 1500 on and off road performance vehicles. Another thing that I don’t think people quite realize is that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is even more in prime position to be the next generation ultra high performance SUV, seriously competing now with the likes of the Range Rover SVR, BMW X5M and the Mercedes AMG SUV of the same class (can’t remember what it is right now). As far as the Durango is concerned. I feel that with the move to the SLTA frame platform, we’re going to see a new Durango with a performance variant that has alot of the look on the outside from the Ram TRX while still delivering alot of that on road Muscle SUV feel and Dodge Charger like attitude just with more capability and possibly even an off-road “Ramcharger” variant. We may even get a return to the super street truck segment with a high performance Ram 1500 pickup that would pay homage to the late Ram SRT10 but with a high performance AWD hybrid Hurricane HO powertrain (without the manual transmission thankfully) or even an all-electric ultra-high performance version as well. With the 50/50 mix of electrification, I feel alot of the full electric cars are going to be a part of the Chrysler and Jeep division in America. the next gen Chrysler 300-sedan and the Pacifica would be amazing platforms for all electric as would alot of the smaller jeep vehicles (the commuter type vehicles). Even with the Chrysler 300’s NASCAR history, the 300 is a luxury car. While a Tesla destroying NASCAR/Hurst homage trim level would be amazing pushing over 1200hp with AWD and all kinds of cool stuff, a silent, stately electric sedan would actually be just what the brand needs along with the soccer mom friendly Pacifica. Would it be nice to see the Minivan take on a more assertive and cool design upgrade and loose it’s suburban kid picker upper and grocery getter image? absolutely! Would it be cool if the next-gen minivan got a RWD based chassis with all electric AWD with a more upright front and a chiseled body while retaining all of the luxury and comfort and capability that a minivan has? it sure would! Would it be nice to see a proper Pacifica S with the same kind of understated but assertive look that the Chrysler 300 SRT had with spoilers and aerodynamic upgrades, a lowered stance and aggressive wheels and maybe a 1200hp rating to rival the Tesla Ludicrous model Y? Yes, Yes and Yes! While I’m not saying that a next gen Pacifica should become the American luxury minivan version of a Bentley Bentayga or Rolls Royce Cullinan, I’m not saying that it shouldn’t either, just at a more affordable price. Electrification definitely has its place in the world, both in the performance market and in the regular market. Even full battery vehicles. There’s nothing wrong with it at all. I believe when Tim Kuniskis and Ralph Gilles say we are going to be happy with the next vehicles that are coming out that we are going to be happy with what’s coming. It’s going to be different, sure but honestly we’ve seen this before in the ’70’s and ’80’s when small engines started coming out and Dodge was doing the Shelby GLH and GLHs cars and Daytona Z cars and all of that and even with the SRT4 cars in the early 2000s. There is going to be something for everyone and while the V8 cars may finally fade, the mopar insanity will not! Dodge will still be “the leader of the human resistance” and their cars, electric or not, will still have that soul-stirring connection they’ve had since the ’60’s even if there isn’t a 426-Hemi V8 under the hood. Dodge will always be Dodge.
THose who doubt the short and long term goals of Stellantis have just not been paying attention. Their move to electric power, in spite of public statements, is evolutionary, pragmatic and cautious based on real world all electric obstacles. These engines are not short term but at best, certainly regrettable for electric advocates, long term transitional commitments. Keeping governments, green zealots and the media happy and content necessitates flowery feel good press releases and fragile timelines to all electric brands on the front pages, but these internal combustion hybrid intent engines throw sunlight, gentle wind and a spark of truth on the real agenda.
Let’s face it few brands in this or the next decade will be all electric and Dundee is all the proof one needs.
I took them at their word when they said 50/50 mix in the US in 2030. I do think that electrics would take over luxury and high performance cars, along with short-haul commercial vehicles, regardless, it would just take more time.