What was thought to be a secret all-new straight-six engine being developed for Ram, Jeep, and Dodge, has already turned up in production. The “Tornado” engine went into production at the end of November. Known internally as the GMET6 HO 3.0-liter six, it stands for “Global Medium Engine Turbo 6.” That “HO” stands for High-Output. 

How much power with the straight-six Tornado have?

Patent drawings procured by TFLTruck, reveal a twin-turbo straight-six cylinder engine. Since Ford’s F-150 V6 puts out 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, we expect the GMET6 to be in that neighborhood. That EcoBoost engine is also twin-turbocharged. 

Besides the limited information released by Stellantis for this engine, it also refers to a PHEV version of its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. So a plug-in hybrid V6 should also be seeing service in numerous Stellantis platforms in the coming months. 

The Grand Wagoneer was originally slated to debut the twin-turbo straight-six, but longer development times nixed that. Its cylinder spacing and bores are identical to the Stellantis GME I4, which comes in the Jeep Wrangler. There are just two more cylinders. This aids in manufacturing and parts consolidation.

What about the 5.7-liter Hemi engine?

This also represents the future of the Ram, Jeep, Dodge brands, and the end of the Hemi V8. With Stellantis keeping the Pentastar V6, this will give a higher output engine option for vehicles configured for four-cylinder engines.

Those vehicles having longer hoods get the I6 Tornado engine with the packaging being less critical. A V6 configuration is more expensive to build without any power advantage to an I6. Plus, Stellantis already spent the development time and money decades ago to make it so why not use it? 

Before the Tornado Chrysler had a long history of straight-six powerplants

The Pentastar V6 replaced the venerable slant-six “leaning tower of power” in 1987. So the Dodge and Chrysler brands have a tradition of developing indestructible six-cylinder engines. In fact, the slant-six replaced the old flathead six in the latter 1950s. It powered most of Chrysler’s vehicles starting in 1925.

At this time the Tornado six is too new with few details. We don’t know its power output or torque specs, or optional power enhancements and configurations. But any time that a new engine meant for several vehicle lines is introduced, it is big news. As we find out more about this all-new six-cylinder, we’ll pass the info along.