About this episode
Downsizing Without CompromiseFour-cylinder engines have long been seen as inferior to powerplants with more cylinders, such as inline-sixes and V8s. But as the industry places greater emphasis on emissions, automakers are being forced to downsize and instead refine their four-cylinder engines. Mercedes, for example, has even bet on a 2.0-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid inline-four for its high-performance C63. Jeep has also entered this space with the introduction of the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 last year, which promises improved efficiency while delivering more power.Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained recently took a deep dive into Jeep’s new power unit, even calling it “one of the most technically advanced four-cylinder engines ever,” especially for a mass-market brand. The engine debuted in the 2026 Grand Cherokee and is expected to expand across the lineup soon. For starters, it makes 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, boasting a segment-leading 162 horsepower per liter.A Closer Look Under the HoodJeep sent Fenske, a Toyota GR Corolla and Lucid Air owner, a tiny pre-chamber used in each cylinder of the Hurricane engine. The component features small holes that allow the air-fuel mixture to enter, where it is ignited by a spark plug during the compression stroke. Put simply, the pre-chamber provides a space where combustion can occur more consistently and efficiently. Each cylinder also has a second spark plug, typically used under low-load conditions, though the two plugs do not fire at the same time.The Hurricane engine also features dual fuel injection per cylinder – both direct and port. These systems can operate independently or together, depending on the situation. Other highlights include electric cam phasing, a Miller-cycle setup, a 12:1 compression ratio, and a variable-geometry turbo that adjusts its vanes to optimize boost efficiency. Jeep claims the powertrain delivers up to 35 PSI of boost – put into perspective, that’s about 10 PSI more than the S58 inline-six found in BMW M models like the M4.If that all sounds too technical, here’s the key takeaway: the new engine is said to make 20 percent more power while using 10 percent less fu
