The updated Jeep Grand Cherokee became the first model to debut the all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo gasoline engine. This engine will replace the familiar naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 in American Stellantis vehicles. Production of the new unit will be established in the USA — initially at the plant in Dundee, Michigan, and later in Kokomo, Indiana.
Previously, the engine appeared in documents under the designation GMET4 Evo and was included in Stellantis' strategic investment plan for North America. Its mass production is scheduled for 2026, but preparations have already begun.
New Engine with No Shared Parts with the Old One
Although the Hurricane 4 Turbo inherited only the basic parameters from the previous GMET4 — a cylinder diameter of 84 mm and a piston stroke of 90 mm — the similarities end there. The design of the new engine has been completely redesigned.
The aluminum block and cylinder head have been redesigned and received 24% thicker walls, which increased strength and durability. The new crankshaft is more massive, the journals are enlarged, and the bearings are more wear-resistant. The timing drive is now chain-driven, which adds reliability.
Pre-Chamber Ignition — A Key Innovation
The main difference of the Hurricane 4 Turbo is the use of a pre-chamber ignition system. This technology was previously used in exclusive Maserati Nettuno engines, but is now adapted for mass production.
The system is called Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI). A copper cylindrical insert is installed in the upper part of each combustion chamber, inside which the first spark plug is located. The second spark plug is located at the edge of the chamber. This combination ensures faster and more complete combustion of the mixture, which increases efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.
Fuel System and Miller Cycle
The Hurricane 4 Turbo's fuel system is dual-circuit — fuel is supplied both directly to the combustion chamber (pressure up to 350 bar) and to the intake manifold. This solution, combined with the Miller cycle and electronic control of valve timing, made it possible to achieve a compression ratio of 12:1 — a record for a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Variable Geometry Turbine and Outstanding Power
A variable geometry turbocharger is responsible for boost, creating pressure up to 2.4 bar. This provides impressive performance:
- Power: 329 hp at 6000 rpm;
- Torque: 450 Nm at 3000–4500 rpm;
- Torque band: 90% of thrust is available from 2600 to 5600 rpm.
For comparison, the previous GMET4 produced a maximum of 280 hp and 400 Nm, which makes the new engine noticeably more powerful and flexible.
Versatility and Hybrid Prospects
The Hurricane 4 Turbo is designed for hybrid and classic installations and can be installed both longitudinally and transversely, which opens up wide possibilities for use on various Stellantis models — from Jeep SUVs to Dodge and Alfa Romeo crossovers.
Not a Relative of the Older "Six-Cylinder" Hurricane
Despite the similar name, the new 2.0-liter engine has little in common with the larger 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder Hurricane (GMET6) introduced in 2022. The "older" unit does not have pre-chamber ignition, uses only direct injection and conventional turbochargers.
Even in the most powerful version for the Dodge Charger, this engine produces 558 hp and 720 Nm, but in terms of technology, the younger Hurricane 4 Turbo surpasses it — primarily due to the innovative TJI system and high thermal efficiency.
A New Stage for Stellantis and Jeep
The release of the Hurricane 4 Turbo engine marks an important step for Stellantis: the company is betting on compact, powerful and economical new generation turbo engines. The Jeep Grand Cherokee became the first carrier of this technology, but in the coming years the engine will appear on other models of the concern.
Modern materials, thoughtful design and engineering solutions suggest that the Hurricane 4 Turbo will become one of the best four-cylinder turbo engines on the US market, combining the performance of a V6 and the efficiency of a "four".
