Stellantis: the European 1.6L EP6 engine starts production in the USA, and it's even more powerful!

In September 2024, we revealed that Stellantis was preparing production of a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine in the USAThis "new" engine was in fact the well-known 1.6L EP6 from PSA, already present in Europe in models such as the Peugeot 3008 PHEV. It's now official: this engine has just started production on the other side of the Atlantic, at the Dundee Engine Plant (Michigan), and its first application is the all-new Jeep Cherokee 2026.

A PSA engine produced in the United States

Behind the name "new 1.6 turbo hybrid", Stellantis has confirmed that this is indeed an evolution of the EP6 engine, designed in Europe and adapted for the North American market. This 4-cylinder turbo with direct injection, combined with a hybrid gearbox with two electric motors and a 1.03 kWh lithium-ion battery, boasts a significant increase in power:

• Europe (PHEV): 150 hp internal combustion, 195 hp rechargeable hybrid.
• USA (HEV): 177 hp internal combustion, 210 hp combined non-rechargeable hybrid.

A notable difference is that Stellantis has chosen HEV (simple, non-rechargeable hybrid) technology for the USA, rather than PHEV.

Improved performance

Thanks to this evolution, the Jeep Cherokee boasts solid figures for its segment:

• 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds
• 210 hp of combined power and around 310 Nm of torque
• A claimed range of over 800 km on a single fill-up
• Estimated fuel consumption of 37 mpg (approx. 6.3 L/100 km)

This engine operates on the Miller cycle, with a turbo delivering up to 2.6 bar (38 psi) of pressure, liquid cooling of the intake air and an in-house electronic management system called the Hybrid Drive Control Unit, which constantly optimizes the distribution of mechanical and electrical flows.

A strategic choice for Jeep... and perhaps for Italian brands too

Jeep's decision to launch this engine as a world first on the Cherokee 2026, based on the STLA Large platform, is not insignificant. Stellantis wants to offer a simple hybrid alternative, with no recharging constraints, to appeal to American customers accustomed to combustion engines but now demanding greater efficiency.

But the interest in this engine doesn't stop in the United States. Stellantis may decide to use this 1.6L hybrid on other platforms such as the STLA Medium and STLA Large in Europe. We're thinking in particular of Alfa Romeo models (Tonale, future Stelvio) and Lancia, where this engine, with its power increased to 210 hp, could be an interesting entry-level hybrid to rival offerings... while we wait for a 2.0L GME PHEV for higher performance.