Find out why the straight-six Hurricane could be the start of a new era of muscle cars
summary
- The Hurricane engine is an efficient and powerful alternative to V8 engines in muscle cars, although it lacks the same oomph and sound.
- Despite its small size and capacity, the Hurricane’s engine outperforms the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 in terms of power and torque.
- The potential of the Hurricane engine had not yet been fully explored, with 1,000 hp not being possible until a new Hellcat model was produced.
Although only some of those remaining have retired Muscle cars left for sale, evadeand parent company Stellantis gave the world of car enthusiasts an underappreciated parting gift in the form of the Hurricane engine.
Under pressure from economy and emissions regulations, Stellantis began work on a more efficient engine that would cause less pollution without a drop in performance. Of course, they resorted to turbocharging, and it worked. Unfortunately, the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six doesn’t have the same appeal as the V8. However, YouTube creator RacerX is back to remind us that we’re just beginning to scratch the surface as to the Hurricane’s engine potential, and great things could be right around the corner.
The Hurricane engine is a muscle car savior
Once again, RacerX is at Courtesy Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep in Tampa, Florida to take a look at the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It is currently the only car or SUV to feature the Hurricane engine, a major upgrade over the 6.4-liter Hemi V8. Although it is smaller, lighter and has less than half the capacity of the Hemi, it produces 25 hp and 25 lb-ft more.
He says it pulls hard, too, especially at the top end. It also lacks the sound and character of a V8, which makes it a hard sell for muscle cars. But its superior performance, fuel economy and emissions levels make it difficult to ignore.
RacerX points out that the engine offers a lot more power for its displacement than a V8, and that the Hurricane still has a lot to offer.
Is the Hurricane a suitable replacement for a V8?
According to some enthusiasts, the answer could be no. It’s understandable, as the V8 engine has been a consistent and defining feature in the world of muscle cars, not to mention the rest of the market including pickups and luxury cars.
But given its efficiency and effectiveness, the tornado is already there. In high-powered form, the 3.0-liter Hurricane outperforms the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. If the Charger and Challenger return for a new generation, they could use a twin-turbocharger unit instead of the V8 and not see any noticeable drop in power. Not only that, but RacerX says the Hurricane could easily be capable of generating 1,000 horsepower.
With 1,000 horsepower, the engine could power the next Dodge SRT Hellcat model. If the Hurricane straight-6 was capable of much more than a 6.4-liter Hemi, and if it were relatively cheap to tune, it could be a more than effective replacement for a V8. It could be an upgrade. RacerX thinks so, and it certainly makes a strong case for the Hurricane keeping the door open for performance even after the V8 engine is banned.
