Chrysler Pentastar V-6 Engines to Get Direct Injection, Turbocharging

Automotive News has recently announced a significant upgrade to the Chrysler Pentastar V-6 engines, the engines that power most of the Chrysler Group's vehicles. The upgrade - known as PUG - includes the addition of turbocharging, direct injection, and other technologies. PUG will improve both fuel economy and output.

Expected in late 2015 is the first vehicle to feature PUG, the Jeep Grand Cherokee with its 3.6-liter V-6. The redesigned 2016 Town & Country minivan will follow, using a 3.2-liter V-6 in place of the current 3.6-liter. The Town & Country redesign will also feature a 9-speed automatic transmission. The combination of the new engine and transmission will lead to a 25% increase in the minivan's fuel economy. Another Chrysler vehicle that could see a serious boost to fuel efficiency due to the upgrade is the Ram 1500, perhaps a big enough boost to regain the title of best gas-powered fuel efficiency back from the 2015 Ford F150.

Chrysler's Pentastar upgrade plans are a part of an overall strategy to meet tightening CAFE standards. The fuel economy gains promised by PUG should go a long way towards the maker achieving its goals. The CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations have forced auto makers to steadily improve the fuel economy of their vehicles, with the standards becoming increasingly strict since they were began in 1975. Chrysler is making a strong statement about their commitment to meeting the standards and lowering their average fuel economy with the PUG update.

The Pentastar family of engines is relatively new, having been announced in 2009 and seen in 2011 model year vehicles. The PUG update will only improve on what has proven to be a very popular and versatile engine. In addition to the significant gains in fuel economy, PUG's direct injection should add a fair amount of power and the turbocharger will increase both power and efficiency.

The Chrysler Pentastar V-6 engine was an improvement to several vehicles in the Chrysler line, and the PUG upgrade will almost certainly take the engines to the next level with significant improvements to fuel economy, power, and efficiency. The launch of the new and improved Jeep Grand Cherokee is sure to be eagerly anticipated by many, when the Pentastar V-6 upgrade can be put to the test. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was also the vehicle to launch the Pentastar V-6 engine in the first place, so it's only fitting that it also is the first to show off the upgrade.

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