Jeep to Drop V8 For Electrification in the Grand Cherokee

It looks like the time of V8 Jeep Grand Cherokees will soon be over. This may be because the 4xe plug-in hybrid is 0.9 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the 5.7-liter Hemi V8.

Jeep is moving in the direction of hybrids over V8s for its flagship namesake, the Grand Cherokee, according to Motor Authority, who spoke with Jeep’s boss, Jim Morrison. Jeep will continue to produce performance variants of the WL-generation Grand Cherokee, but they won’t be powered by V8s moving forward.

According to Motor Authority, the V8 is not coming back to the Grand Cherokee model line. The Trackhawk designation may also be replaced with another nameplate moving forward.

The executive quoted confirmed that the larger Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will be electrified by 2025, but he wouldn’t confirm that they’ll use an electrified powertrain based on the new turbocharged inline-6 that in standard form will produce 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, with a high-output version rated at 510 hp and 500 lb-ft. These numbers are before the addition of an electric motor which could boost output to more than 700 hp.

Towing capacity currently sits at 7,200 lb. with the 392 Hemi, one of the highest ratings in its class. The V6 is rated at 6,200 lb. and the 4xe PHEV is rated at 6,000 lb. When asked about raising the towing limit to V8 levels, Morrison smirked when the interviewer hinted at the possibility of a plug-in hybrid turbo-six.

The old-school Hemi V8s of yesterday may have their days numbered. Other news nuggets mined by MA include Morrison suggesting there won’t ever be a production V8 Gladiator, but a 4xe version seems imminent. So, too, does a 4xe version of the Grand Cherokee L.

Pour one out for the Hemi.

[Image: Jeep]

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