Stellantis upgrades its Hurricane 4-cylinder engine: more powerful, inspired by the Maserati V6

The Hurricane 4-cylinder engine, also known as the 2.0L GME (Global Medium Engine), is no stranger to Stellantis. It can already be found under the hood of many of the Group's models, often in 200 or 280 hp versions, and in sportier variants such as the 330 hp MHEV in Maseratis or the 380 hp in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. But this time, Stellantis is announcing a major evolution: the new Hurricane 4 Turbo. And while, at first glance, this 2.0-liter engine may appear to be no more than an update, in reality it conceals a far-reaching technological transformation.

A technical revolution inspired by the Maserati Nettuno V6

According to the official Stellantis press release, the all-new Hurricane 4 Turbo develops 324 hp and 450 Nm of torque, while consuming 10 % less fuel. Behind this gain lies a well-known innovation: TJI technology, for Turbulent Jet Ignition.

And according to our information, this development is no accident. Part of the development was piloted from Italy, in particular by engineers who had worked on Maserati's Nettuno V6. The latter, it should be remembered, introduced the combustion pre-chamber to the Maserati V6 engine powering the Grecale, Granturismo, Grancabrio and MCPura models.

The principle: a small chamber above each cylinder, where an initial explosion is initiated before propagating into the main chamber. The result: faster, more complete combustion, and therefore more power with fewer emissions. In other words, the 4-cylinder Hurricane is a direct inheritance of know-how first developed at Maserati, then applied to a mass-production engine.

More powerful, more efficient, and hybrid-ready

Technically, this new engine has all the strengths of the previous generation, but takes refinement much further. It includes :

• a variable-geometry turbo, guaranteeing 90 % of torque between 2,600 and 5,600 rpm;
• dual fuel injection (direct and indirect) intelligently managed according to rpm;
• a Miller cycle to optimize performance and reduce emissions;
• a volumetric ratio of 12:1, made possible by TJI combustion;
• and optimized cooling by variable-flow electric water and oil pumps.

The whole unit is assembled at the Dundee plant in Michigan, using components from the Kokomo site in Indiana. It's an evolution designed for the American market, where environmental regulations remain more flexible than in Europe.

Europe left behind?

While the USA welcomes this engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2026, Europe has yet to see any official announcement. This gives rise to a certain feeling of injustice, all the more so as this engine seems designed for more refined models, such as future Alfa Romeo hybrids or even Lancia.

Should we hope for European production, perhaps in Termoli, Italy, if Stellantis ever decides to take the plunge? Nothing is less certain. In the meantime, it's the Americans who are enjoying the benefits of Stellantis' first four-cylinder TJI combustion engine, a spiritual little brother of the Nettuno, but designed to last in a world still very attached to combustion engines.

Now you know why, at the beginning of the video below, why a Maserati turns into a Jeep!