Jeep News: It's Technically Possible To Drop A Hellcat Into Wrangler and Gladiator

[William Maley]

Hellcat everything has become a bit of a running joke with any vehicle from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Pacifica? Drop a Hellcat. 500? Needs a Hellcat. Charger? Two Hellcats is just what the doctor ordered. The latest vehicles to get the attention from the Hellcat crowd are the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.

Tim Kuniskis, the head of the Jeep brand told Australian outlet Drive that it is technically possible to fit the Hellcat V8 into both vehicles.

"Everybody always asks me that question: it fits. You know that. It fits like a glove."

But there comes a big issue.

"But the problem is that it fits like a glove and there is no air space around the engine and the whole external space of the vehicle so you have no crush space; you have nothing that can be used to absorb energy in a crash," said Kuniskis.

"It is not a problem to put it in - other than emissions and fuel economy - except it would never pass any crash tests, and that’s a problem."

So those hoping for a factory model will be disappointed, but the aftermarket will be there to serve those who really want a mad Wrangler or Gladiator.

Source: Drive

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[Drew Dowdell]

"There's not any problem putting it in... except for safety, emissions, and fuel economy.... "

Though I do firmly believe there should be a Hemi option for the Gladiator.  The Pentastar isn't quite enough to be the max output engine. 

[G. David Felt]

Some will say when did we ever ask the government to force safety, emission and fuel economy on us. Just give me the biggest baddest engine in the auto period.  

[smk4565]

4 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

"There's not any problem putting it in... except for safety, emissions, and fuel economy.... "

Though I do firmly believe there should be a Hemi option for the Gladiator.  The Pentastar isn't quite enough to be the max output engine. 

Right, 3 problems, 2 of them regulatory.  

They could turbocharge or super charge the Pentastar.  

[Drew Dowdell]

27 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

Right, 3 problems, 2 of them regulatory.  

They could turbocharge or super charge the Pentastar.  

There is the turbo I6 coming

[smk4565]

1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

There is the turbo I6 coming

Problem solved then.  That will make enough power for the Gladiator.

[Robert Hall]

Promaster Hellcat would help Amazon deliver faster..

[William Maley]

5 hours ago, dfelt said:

Some will say when did we ever ask the government to force safety, emission and fuel economy on us. Just give me the biggest baddest engine in the auto period.  

Let me introduce you to the wondrous world of the aftermarket ? 

[ccap41]

20 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

"There's not any problem putting it in... except for safety, emissions, and fuel economy.... "

Though I do firmly believe there should be a Hemi option for the Gladiator.  The Pentastar isn't quite enough to be the max output engine. 

Yeah, this is a mid-size truck weighing on the light side of the half tons. I think I read a test where one weighed nearly 5200lbs. The 3.6 is a turd in that situation. The 5.7 would be a gem. 

[surreal1272]

Aside from what is mentioned in the article, it would be utterly pointless to have 700+ HP in a vehicle with the aerodynamic properties of your average brick. Just dumb IMO. 

[Drew Dowdell]

For those who would like to read more about the 2.9 liter I6 that is coming.