The FCA Global medium engine, or the global medium engine for short, is a family of engines developed by the powertrain division of alfa Romeo that has continued its production since 2016.
The GME family is comprised of two new series of machines: the one created by FCA Italy, also known as Giorgio, for Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, and the second, codenamed as a Hurricane by FAC US division for American vehicles made by Jeep, Chrysler, and dodge. Both engines are produced in Termoli, Italy.
In 2018, some unofficial news was going around involving the name of the hurricane engine. It is stated that the machines would be moved to the Trenton engine plant in Trenton, Michigan; the plant that builds the world gasoline engine and the Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine.
As part of the GME family, we expect this engine to be excellent and reliable even at its young age.
What are Chrysler 2.0L Hurricane Engines?
The Chrysler 2.0 Hurricane engine is a two-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine with direct fuel injection. As we mentioned above, this machine is a notable member of the GME family of engines. So, the architecture, build, and other parts are greatly influenced by the powertrain division of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA Group).
FCA’s marketing team has considered the Hurricane name obsolete, favoring the eTorque instead. The reason might be the engine’s torque-biased system with an electrical assist, as used in the Jeep Wrangler. We should expect the Hurricane to be a mild hybrid too in its lower form, regardless of the vehicle application.
The American version, which we will talk about, was first launched in the 2018 Jeep Wrangler and, after a year, in the Jeep Cherokee.
Though it bears the same name, Alfa Romeo’s Hurricane engine is different from the Chrysler version. The former was made in a different foundry, with a closed deck design. Further, the 2.0 Hurricane turbo engine could replace both the Pentastar V6 and the 2.4-liter engine.
Engine Specifications and Design:
- Production Run: 2016 – Present
- Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
- Cylinder Block Material: Aluminum
- Configuration: Inline 4
- Bore: 84.0 mm
- Stroke: 90.0 mm
- Valvetrain: DOHC four valves per cylinder
- Displacement: 2.0 L (1995 cc)
- Compression Ratio: 10.0
- Weight: 300 lbs.
- Maximum HP: 270 HP at 5,250 RPM
- Maximum Torque: 295 lb-ft at 3,000 RPM
Engine Design
The Chrysler 2.0 Hurricane engine has a low-pressure, sand-cast aluminum cylinder block with cast-iron cylinder liners. The block is an open-deck design contrary to the European version of the same name used in Alfa Romeo’s vehicles.
The 2.0 GME engine has a lighter crankshaft that seats with an offset from the cylinder bores. The offset sets a better clearance in the cylinder walls side loading since the connecting rod is more vertical during the power stroke.
The Hurricane engine block is equipped with a low-friction roller bearing balance shaft and a variable displacement two-stage oil pump. These oil pumps provide a high-pressure oil mode under high-load engine operations while the low-pressure oil during normal driving conditions.
These pumps also work as an oil messenger that sends oil for the piston cooling jets. Each cylinder bore has its own jet to control piston temperatures and reduce spark knock. The cast-aluminum pistons have four-valve pockets and plasma-coated piston rings.
On top of the engine block is a cast aluminum alloy cylinder head. The GME 2.0 Hurricane engine head features four-valve per cylinder, two for both intake and exhaust sides.
To add, there is also a sodium-filled exhaust valve, central injector, high tumble intake ports, MultiAir valvetrain with dual overhead camshafts, and a water-cooled integrated exhaust manifold.
An inverted tooth timing chain equipped with a dual variable valve timing system (VVT) drives the intake and exhaust camshafts. The engine uses hollow shafts with smooth cam journals to save up to 4 pounds of weight and improve durability.
The 2.0 Hurricane GME engine uses a direct-injection system. The high-pressure fuel pump produces a 2,900 psi maximum boost pressure for the high-pressure common-rail injection system.
This system fires fuel through multi-hole fuel nozzles inside the cylinders, providing better fuel delivery and fuel atomization than port injection.
Some features also include improving the performance and efficiency, such as the turbocharger intake, a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger with an electronically controlled wastegate.
The components are attached to the head as the exhaust manifold is integrated into it.
The integrated and water-cooled exhaust manifold minimizes exhaust temperatures increasing the turbocharger life and reliability, and expedites engine warm-up. The intake has a built-in air/water charge intake air cooler.
These coolers, turbocharger, and throttle body use a separate cooling circuit.
Further, the cooling system employs a variable flow water pump and an electric auxiliary water pump. Same with the exhaust manifold, the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) is water-cooled as well.
The 2.0 Hurricane turbo uses a belt-starter-generator in some applications to help the engine at lower RPMs. Coming from its alternate name, the eTorque system provides better auto stop/start performance and improves lower-end throttle response before the turbo spools up.
The GPEC4 engine-management system with a close-coupled catalyst, C-EGR system, and a wide range O2 sensor allows the machine to comply with all emissions standards.
Due to its high compression ratio and turbocharging, the 2.0 Hurricane requires minimum unleaded regular, 87 octane or higher. This is to provide the engine with quality fuel for optimum fuel economy and performance.
The 2.0 Hurricane engine is a good engine swap and alternative to the Chrysler 2.4-liter engine and 3.6L Pentastar V6.
Applications of Chrysler 2.0L Hurricane Engine:
- 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)
- 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL)
- 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
- 2018 Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- 2021 Maserati Ghibli Hybrid
- 2018 Jeep Grand Commander
- 2021 Maserati Levante Hybrid
- 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (WL)
- 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Engine Upgrades, Modifications, and Tuning
Though it is unlikely that this engine can put up huge numbers without a bunch of effort and a little bit of risk, there are some aftermarket and performance options for your Hurricane 2.0 engine.
Some of those are aFe and Mishimoto performance intakes; aFe, Superchips, RaceChip, and DiabloSport have tuners; Borla, aFe, Gibson, and Magnaflow provide exhaust systems.
Choose your performance parts wisely; these four cylinders managed to bag some impressive numbers, though. It displayed higher horsepower per liter and can outperform underwhelming lager-displacement six-cylinder and eight-cylinder vehicles.
Problems Surrounding GME 2.0L Hurricane Engine:
One of the famous Jeep engines and, if you will, one of the best four-cylinder engines out there with the suitable torque-biased engines on the market today. But ever, with its impressive numbers and build, the 2.0 Hurricane engine is still not safe in having issues.
I understand that it is still a young engine and more developments are yet to be made.
Some of those issues are:
1. Turbo Lag
This has always been a problem for a lot of turbocharged engines out there. Turbochargers, unlike the superchargers, are slower to kick in and load those powers up. The lack of acceleration occurring in high-speed gears are prevalent among this engine.
This becomes frustrating to the drivers. However, you can check the difference between a supercharger and a turbocharger here.
2. Requires Premium Fuel
In order for you to achieve optimum levels of efficiency and performance, you must use high-quality fuel. The thing is, using premium fuel for some owners is pretty disadvantageous.
With the increasing price of fuel, it is relatively costly compared to regular gas only. Just in case, premium fuels are generally gasoline with an octane level of 91 or higher, with 91 and 93 octanes being the most widespread versions of premium gasoline available at gas stations in the United States.
3. Check Engine Light
Some owners complain that Hurricane 2.0 engine light has come on after several thousand miles on a new car. There are many reasons behind this issue. Most of the time, a failed sensor, loose connectors, or hoses indicates a poor build at the factory and subsequent quality control.
Summary
The GME Hurricane 2.0 engine has only just begun its journey in the automotive world. And looks like that it’s gonna be in it for a long time.
Though we can’t say much about the engine’s long-term reliability as of now, as the development and improvements continue to improve this engine, there will be much potential hovering around the Hurricane 2.0 engine.
Though it has a new and complex design consisting of many parts and takes time to test and resolve issues, this engine is still impressive on its own. The Hurricane has a lot of time to regain its composure.
Only use quality fuel and oil to maximize the optimum performance and efficiency of the Hurricane 2.0 engine.
Will the Dodge Hornet GT get the Chrysler Hurricane 4 or the Alfa version?