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FCA Could Have An Inline-Six Engine In Development For Premium Brands

American automakers aren’t known for inline-six engines these days, but that wasn’t always the case. The configuration largely fell out of favor with American automakers as transverse vehicle layouts became the norm decades ago. GM embraced the V6 engine a long time ago, and even now, smaller displacement four-cylinder engines are starting to replace them—save for the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six.

Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles could buck that trend, however. Allpar reported on rumors that FCA has a new inline-six engine under development and it could find a home in Alfa Romeo and Maserati vehicles. Thus, it would tackle Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which have held onto the silky-smooth six-cylinder engine configuration. FCA reportedly sees the inline-six as a relatively simple way to update its engine portfolio; it could share components and tooling with FCA’s global four-cylinder engine called the “Global Medium Engine.”

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde front three quarters standing

The engine is rumored to have less than 3.0 liters of displacement, and not only would its longitudinal characteristic make it a good fit for company’s premium divisions, but it could even power Ram trucks, plus the Charger and Challenger duo.

Inline-six engines offer inherently better characteristics due to their layout. They’re better balanced, smooth in power delivery, and, well, they sound pretty darn good too. Over at Cadillac, such a move seems unlikely. The brand has instead focused on smaller displacement four-cylinder engines and two exclusive engines sitting in a V formation: the 3.0-liter twin-turbo LGW V6 and the new 4.2-liter LTA twin-turbo V8 engine. The 3.0-liter Duramax LM2 inline-six engine is the only of its type GM will offer. The engine will find a home in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra.

Cadillac 4.2L Twin-Turbo V8 DOHC LTA Engine 001

Should FCA embrace the inline-six, it could make the Challenger the only pony car left offering a six-cylinder in the future. GM has floated the idea of hybridizing a four-cylinder engine with substantially more power. It could pave the way for the end of the V6 Camaro. Of course, this is all speculation. We won’t know anything until the automaker shares the info itself.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Imo Cadillac should’ve developed an I6 instead of the 3.0L.

    Reply
    1. True. And let Buick get the 3.0L…

      Reply
      1. And Chevy.

        Unless a vehicle is FWD there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to use a V6.

        Reply
  2. Good for them. V6s are preferred by the bean counters, I6s by engineers and everyone else, including the engines themselves.

    Only I6s, flat 6s and V12s go to heaven, all others are inherently unbalanced.

    Reply
    1. “Only I6s, flat 6s and V12s go to heaven, all others are inherently unbalanced.”

      And flat 12’s, and Wankels, and electrics; they’ll pretty much let anyone into heaven nowadays. It’s not even that exclusive anymore.

      Besides, hell is where the fun is. The V8 is still king there, gas is cheap, the music is always metal, and Satan has a wicked v-twin that nobody can beat.

      NSFW lyrics, imagery

      Reply
    2. Yep, and an additional advantage of the I6 is that forced induction is cheaper since only one turbo is required, with twin turbos being optional.

      Imagine if instead of moving Cadillac HQ to NYC and back to MI, all that money had been used to develop an I6 engine to supplement GM’s High Feature V6.

      Reply
  3. Lets go simple: 1. Naturally aspirated as in non-turbo. 2. dual-injection; port & direct. 3. high compression. 4. Displacement from 2.0 – 3.0 litres for 4 cylinders and 3.0 – 4.0 litres for 6 cylinders. 5. As an example, Toyota’s 2.0 Dynamic Force Engine produces 150 lb.ft of peak torque, scaled up, a 4.0 litre engine using similar technology could produce 300 lb.ft. peak torque.

    Reply

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