The HEMI V8 is on his way out.
The two versions of the Hurricane engine are up to 15% more efficient.
Only those two engines will be available in the Wagoneer lineup.
This change of heart was expected, but now it’s official: Jeep’s two full-size SUVs, the Wagoneer and the more luxurious Grand Wagoneer, will no longer be offered with HEMI V8 engines – the 5.7-liter in the Wagoneer and the 6.4-liter block in the Grand Wagoneer.
The manufacturer confirmed the news as the 2024 model year approaches. This means that Jeep’s two full-size SUVs in the upper segment will be powered exclusively by straight-six gas engines.
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L | Photo: Evan Williams
The new range of twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane in-line 6-cylinder engines will be the only choice for the four variants of these giant SUVs. Let’s recall that the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are also available in extended versions (Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L).
In addition to being more energy-efficient than their V8 counterparts, the two new mills show interesting potential, with respective specifications of 420 hp and 468 ft-lb in the less plush livery, and 510 hp and 500 ft-lb. Both engines still work in conjunction with the eight-speed automatic unit that was already in service prior to the arrival of these two new engines.
The withdrawal of the two V8 engines comes as no surprise, since Ram’s senior management has already confirmed that the 2025 model year of the Ram 1500 pickup will feature the two new turbocharged 6-cylinder blocks.
However, it will be interesting to see whether Jeep’s quartet of full-size SUVs will inherit the electric powertrain with range extender recently unveiled for the light truck range. In this application, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine acts as a generator when the battery pack needs power.
Since the Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer shares its platform with the Ram 1500, it wouldn’t be surprising if this move to an electrified powertrain were to be transposed to larger Jeep vehicles soon.
We’ll see what the future holds in the Jeep camp, as the brand has already confirmed its desire to become a 100% electric brand, like the rest of the Stellantis group.
In short, for lovers of the V8 HEMI engine, it may not be too late to get your hands on a 2023 copy of one of the versions in the Wagoneer range.
