There is a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming all-new 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee (WL). While there has been a lot of rumors out there, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is playing their cards close to their chest when it comes to the next vehicle carrying its most-awarded SUV nameplate.
With an all-new architecture underneath, there has been a lot of talk about the powertrains that will be powering the all-new 2021 Grand Cherokee. One of those engines has been rumored to be the upcoming turbocharged inline-six-cylinder called Global Medium Engine Turbo Six or “GME-T6”. The engine has been rumored to feature several power levels and should produce power from around 360 horsepower to an awesome 525 horsepower ratings, according to sources.
However, those who are waiting for the GME-T6 may have to wait a bit longer. According to our sources, the GME-T6 will not be making its debut on the all-new Grand Cherokee. Instead, the Grand Cherokee will be launching with some familiar powertrains and one that many haven’t expected. So what engines are coming on the next-generation Grand Cherokee?
According to our sources, four available engine combinations will be offered on 2021 Grand Cherokee models. The first engine choice will be the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. While our sources haven’t confirmed if it will be the same version that is under the hood of the 2020 Ram 1500 with the eTorque system, our hunch is that it is. Of course, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V8 will return for 2021. Again, our sources did not confirm that the eTorque system would be available on the HEMI, but it wouldn’t surprise us if it came as standard equipment on the HEMI.
The one engine that surprises us, is the addition of the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder. Yes, the Grand Cherokee will be offered with the Cherokee’s 2.0-liter turbo engine. In the mid-size Cherokee, the Global Medium Engine Turbo Four (GME-T4) offers 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. It should be a welcome addition to the Grand Cherokee lineup for those looking for great fuel economy and performance.
The last powertrain is still a mystery. The 2021 Grand Cherokee will offer a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) model, which FCA has already confirmed in their 5-year plan as well as the announcement of the new Mack Avenue Assembly Plant which will build the 2021 Grand Cherokee in Detroit. The PHEV version could be one of two choices for powertrains. Currently, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offers an innovative dual-motor eFlite electrically variable transmission (EVT) paired with a specially modified version of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. While in China, the 2020 Jeep Commander PHEV uses a similar setup with the 2.0-liter turbo engine.
With the addition of the 2.0-liter turbo to the lineup, it throws us for a loop if that the PHEV version might be fitted with that motor. However, due to the current supply chain for the Pacifica in North America, it makes sense that it would be a Pentastar engine powering the new Grand Cherokee.
So what do you think of the addition of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to the next-generation Grand Cherokee lineup? Leave your comments below.
