Jeep® 4WD News:

Pentastar 3.6L V-6 Makes Ward's "Top Ten Engine" List for 2012!

24-valves, variable valve timing with chains and sprockets, hemi-combustion chambers—this Pentastar 3.6L V-6 is 'world class' engineering! (Photo courtesy of Chrysler Group, LLC)

     December 2011—Ward's prestigious "10 Best Engines" list for 2012 models includes Chrysler's Pentastar 3.6L V-6. The Ward honor supports Chrysler's sound decision to select this engine for the 2012 JK Wrangler.

     Only two engines in the winner's circle offer traditional multi-point fuel injection (MPI): the Ford Boss Mustang 302 V-8 and the Pentastar 3.6L V-6. The naturally aspirated (non-supercharged) Pentastar competed with several state-of-the-art, direct-injection (DI) engines—some equipped with supercharging or turbocharging!

     The Pentastar 3.6L V-6 powers up the Chrysler 300S, the Jeep Wrangler, the Chrysler Group minivans and the Dodge Durango SUV. This engine has also found its way into Ram vans and other models.

     Much to its credit, the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 earned this prominent position with MPI injection. WardAuto notes, "Even without direct injection, the multipurpose Pentastar returns better fuel economy than a similarly sized V-6 with DI in the competition. Editors manage to get better than 25 mpg, while enjoying outstanding refinement and power.

Conducting the Tests

  WardsAuto selected these ten elite engines through a real-world testing process. The organization comments:

  "WardsAuto editors chose the winners after spending October and November driving 36 vehicles with 34 new or significantly upgraded engines in their routine daily commutes around metro Detroit...Editors scored each engine based on power, technology, observed fuel economy and noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. There was no instrumented testing...To be eligible, each engine must be available in a regular-production U.S.-specification model on sale no later than first-quarter 2012, in a vehicle with a base price below $55,000."

     4WD Mechanix Magazine and other media guests tested the new 2012 JK Wrangler models at Portland, Oregon, last August. Months before the "Ward's 10-Best Engine" award, 4WD Mechanix Magazine presented a rave review of the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 and A580 automatic transmission in the newest Jeep Wrangler 4x4. Tested on-highway and off-pavement at the Tillamook National Forest, the 24-valve 'VVT' engine responded robustly and efficiently both on pavement and over trails.

     The Pentastar 3.6L V-6's exceptional torque and flexibility make this engine an optimal choice for Chrysler cars, Jeep 4WDs, mini-vans and Ram truck models!WardAuto will present Chrysler Group, LLC, with the engine award on January 11, 2012 at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit).