I'd like to see it in a Wrangler, but I doubt that it would fit.
Test drove a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with the high output 3.0L twin turbo
- Thread starter wwillson
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You could always make it fit
Wranglers used to have inline 6s, I don't see why they couldn't have them again
My TJ has an I6 but I don't think the engine compartment off the JL is as roomy.
I think it's cool the stuff exists for pushing the limits of what don't seem physically possible, but I just don't understand how they can sell enough of these things to justify making them at this price. I'm not saying I'm in the price bracket to buy $100k vehicles, but I definitely hit a cap on what I want to spend on vehicles short of what I could afford. At some point I saw a level of diminishing returns on a depreciating asset that I would effectively be burning money. Maybe the experiences I look for when driving just make it possible for me to be a cheaper date. Love me some horsepower though.
I know they can make high power I6's but I wonder if it's "worth it". Long crankshaft means long engine, with crankshaft twisting. You can avoid twisting by making the crank thicker and heavier--but that defeats the idea of quickly rev'ing up. I know BMW made good I6's for a long time but I wonder what the incentive is for anyone else to dive back in there, not when V6's and even I4's might do the job. Well, maybe outside of this uber-SUV category.
At some point I think makers want to have a flagship model that makes them look good, and makes people aspire for. Doesn't have to make them money on the unit itself, but it may draw people in the door who buy something else. And maybe they are just blowing R&D budget, in a "use it or lose it" scenario.
I think sometimes no one knows the right answer, so they throw darts to see what will sell. If it sells, then figure out how to chase that segment of the market. If not, well you can't hit a home run every time.
Looks like you can get a base model Wagoneer L with that engine for $70K. Honestly that isn’t terrible considering the space, towing capabilities and the segment it competes in.
That's probably close to a base Suburban. I sure the sub 700 FICO buyers will love it!
Well..prices start in the $60,000.00s. But yea/options transaction prices are a different thing.
https://www.chevrolet.com/suvs/suburban/build-and-price/trims
JHZR2
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Its power is frankly excessive for most uses. But a well designed i6 with a smaller turbo with minimal lag would be great.
500hpnin a non 6500 lb vehicle is almost worthless. I can’t even use the 300/300 in my 135i without being at illegal speeds and on the verge of getting in trouble.
But I see your point. Would be fun for a bit.
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I too have a N54. There is never any scenario where it can’t get to where I want it to go. But my 278/312 V8 has a completely different manner, which in the case of this vehicle, may be the 3.0 v. 6.4 comparison. Take my advice the latter is a better experience. Only when trade off is introduced, is the smaller displacement considered.
The 8 speeds take up too much room.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
They do manage to get the 6.4L in there, how much longer is the I6?
That would be better in my opinion.
I hate vehicle interiors full of junk.
I need heat, AC, sirius radio, and a comfy drivers seat, nothing else.
JHZR2
Staff member
If you’re saying that someone needs a 6.4v8 to go get groceries in their 6500lb suv, I’d say you’re looney.
If they want to waste fuel and money, for absolutely no purpose, I might start to agree.
Of course a turbo engine has a different demeanor, and when the boost is on, will be hard to beat. In an I6 engine it should get rid of some of the horrendous design attributes of V-engines (I’m thinking the ford eco boost timing chains).
In more practical terms, I’ve forever said, on really doesn’t need more than about 72hp to go around in day to day use, towing or some semblance of “fun” wasting fuel to accelerate aside.
But seriously. All this power is excessive for most everything but towing. The concept of vehicles that accelerate so fast that they get to illegal speeds super quick, is just absurd. I can’t use 300/300 safely or legally when I get on it. So while I get the “fun” of it, that’s useful about five times and the rest is a waste.
In a 6500+ behemoth it’s more necessary when loaded and towing, but that fast for daily driving is frankly absurd and wasteful. This thing will out-accelerate my 135i.
Don’t get me wrong, I sure see the need for big v8 engines, and love the concept of bringing back I6 engines and turbocharging them.
But most consumer use cases are absurd. No, I don’t want some idiot rocketing a 6500lb suv down the on-ramp at some excessive rate of acceleration and ultimately creating safety issues for all.
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ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
I ran the RAGNAR relay race this weekend and all the staff vehicles were Wagoneers. It looks big! At first I thought it was a GM SUV, but to be fair I was running and had some sweat in my eyes. When I got done I took at look at it. Didn't look bad to me.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I noticed GM tones down the 2.7L in the entry level Colorado - something a parts house would own - but boosts it to a joyous 310/430 in the nicer 4WD units …
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Boy, the AMG, ///M and SRT SUV's must really chide you then, lol
JHZR2
Staff member
Well, they again are virtually worthless for practical use, super fancy appointments and strong brakes aside. Getting to 65 mph in no time flat serves very little practical purpose. Unless you are so entitled that you are planning to drive illegal speeds on the public roads, which is a different conversation.Boy, the AMG, ///M and SRT SUV's must really chide you then, lol
And since pricing on commodity items like fuel is supply/demand related, anything where demand increases due to someone else’s choices does hurt my bottom line, so…
But I fully recognize that there’s a happy medium in all of it.
As I said, I do hope variants of the 3.0 are made and used elsewhere and is wildly successful…
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