The Chrysler Pentastar engine family is a series of

aluminium Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. It ha ...

( die-cast cylinder block) dual overhead cam 24-valve

gasoline Gasoline (; ) or petrol (; ) (see ) is a transparent, petroleum-derived flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines (also known as petrol engines). It consists mostly of organic c ...

V6 engine A V6 engine is a six-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration. The first V6 engines were designed and produced independently by Marmon Motor Car Company, Deutz Gasmotoren Fabr ...

s introduced for model-year 2011

Chrysler Stellantis North America (officially FCA US and formerly Chrysler ()) is one of the " Big Three" automobile manufacturers in the United States, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is the American subsidiary of the multinational automotiv ...

, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. The engine was initially named "

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

," but the name was changed before the official launch due to a trademark conflict; the

Pentastar The Chrysler Pentastar engine family is a series of aluminium ( die-cast cylinder block) dual overhead cam 24-valve gasoline V6 engines introduced for model-year 2011 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. The engine was initially named " Phoenix ...

name is derived from the trademark of the former Chrysler Corporation, which dates back to 1963. The Pentastar was introduced at the 2009

New York Auto Show The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first S ...

. The engine design allows the use of E85 or 87 octane fuel and features dual variable valve timing. Direct injection,

forced induction In an internal combustion engine, forced induction is where turbocharging or supercharging is used to increase the density of the intake air. Engines without forced induction are classified as naturally aspirated. Operating principle Overvi ...

, and

cylinder deactivation Variable displacement is an automobile engine technology that allows the engine displacement to change, usually by deactivating cylinders, for improved fuel economy. The technology is primarily used in large, multi-cylinder engines. Many automobile ...

options were engineered into the engine design, but haven't been implemented from the factory, remaining "on the shelf" as of 2016.

First generation

Versions

Applications

3.0L

*2014–present

Jeep Grand Cherokee The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a range of mid-size SUVs produced by the American manufacturer Jeep. At its introduction, while most SUVs were still manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee has used a unibody chassis from the ...

(China, Russia) *2014–present

Jeep Wrangler The Jeep Wrangler is a series of compact and mid-size four-wheel drive off-road SUVs manufactured by Jeep since 1986 and is currently in its fourth generation. The Wrangler JL, the most recent generation, was revealed in late 2017 and is produ ...

(China) *2014-present Chrysler 300C (China)

3.2L

* 2014–present

Jeep Cherokee The Jeep Cherokee is a line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Jeep over five generations. Originally marketed as a variant of the Jeep Wagoneer, the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size SUV to one of the first compact SUVs and into its cu ...

3.6L

* 2011–2014

Chrysler 200 The Chrysler 200 is a mid-size sedan that was manufactured and marketed by Chrysler from model years 2011 to 2017 across two generations in four-door sedan and two-door convertible (first generation only) body styles. The 200 nameplate debuted o ...

(Models: LX, Touring, Limited, S, and C) * 2011–2016

Chrysler Town & Country The Chrysler Town & Country is a minivan that was manufactured and marketed by Chrysler from 1990 to the 2016 model years. The third of the Chrysler minivans introduced, the 1990 Town & Country shared its nameplate with the flagship Chrysler st ...

(Models: LX, Touring, Touring "L", Limited, S, Limited Platinum) * 2011–2014

Dodge Avenger The Dodge Avenger is a front-wheel drive, mid-sized sedan that was marketed by Dodge. The Avenger made its North American debut in 1994 for the 1995 model year as a coupe that was produced until 2000. The model name was reintroduced to the ...

(Models: SE V6, SXT, R/T) * 2011–present Dodge Challenger (Models: SE, SXT, SXT +, SXT Rallye Edition, GT) * 2011–present Dodge Charger (Models: SE, SXT, SXT +, SXT Rallye Edition, GT) * 2011–present

Dodge Durango The Dodge Durango is a mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by Dodge in three generations starting with the 1998 model year. The first two generations were very similar in that both were based on the Dodge Dakota and Ram Pickup, both ...

(Models: Express, SXT, Crew, Crew Lux, Citadel, ACT Plus, Limited, GT) * 2011–2020

Dodge Grand Caravan The Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans that have been produced and marketed by the American automaker Chrysler since the 1984 model year. Currently in its sixth generation, the model line is marketed worldwide, primarily in North Ameri ...

(Models: SE American Value Package (AVP) or Canadian Value Package (CVP), SE, Crew, Crew Lux, SXT, R/T, SE Plus, SXT Plus, GT) * 2011–2019

Dodge Journey The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Dodge brand for model years 2009 to 2020 over a single generation, with a facelift for the 2011 model year. The Journey was styled by Ryan Nagod ...

(Models: SE American Value Package (AVP) or Canadian Value Package (CVP), Mainstreet, Crew, Crew Lux, SXT, R/T, GT, Crossroad) * 2011–2015

(Models: Laredo "E", Laredo "X", 70TH Anniversary Edition, Trailhawk, Altitude Edition, Limited, Overland, Overland Summit Edition) * 2011–2014

Volkswagen Routan The Volkswagen Routan is a seven-seat minivan and rebadged variant of the Chrysler RT platform, with revised styling, content features, and suspension tuning from the fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. Manufactu ...

(Models: S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium) * 2011–present

Chrysler 300 The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Stellantis North America (and its predecessor companies) as a four-door sedan and station wagon in its first generation (model years 2005–2010) and solely as a four-d ...

(Models: 300 Base, 300 S V6, 300 C w/ V6, 300 C Glacier Series w/ V6, 300 C Luxury Series w/ V6) * 2012–2018

JK (Models: Sport, Unlimited Sport, Sport "S", Unlimited Sport "S", Freedom Edition, Unlimited Freedom Edition, Altitude Edition, Unlimited Altitude Edition, 70TH Anniversary Edition, Unlimited 70TH Anniversary Edition, Sahara, Hard Rock Edition, Unlimited Sahara, Moab, Unlimited Moab, Rubicon, Unlimited Rubicon, Rubicon 10TH Anniversary, Unlimited Rubicon 10TH Anniversary) Jeep Rubicon Recon 2017 * 2019-present

JL (Models: Sport, Willys Sport, Sport S, Islander, Willys, 80th Anniversary (2021), Freedom, Sport Altitude, Unlimited RHD, Sahara, Rubicon, Sahara Altitude, High Altitude * 2020-present Jeep Gladiator JT (Models: Sport, Willys Sport (2021), Sport S, Willys (2021), Overland, Freedom, 80th Anniversary (2021), Rubicon, Mojave, High Altitude, California Edition (California dealer only), Texas Trail (Texas dealer only) * 2011–2015 Ram Cargo Van (Models: C/V Base, C/V Tradesman) * 2012–2015 Lancia Voyager (Models: Limited) * 2012–2014

Lancia Thema The Lancia Thema (Type 834) is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia between 1984 and 1994, and one of four cars to share the Type Four platform alongside the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000. The Thema was first shown ...

* 2012–2015

Fiat Freemont Fremont may refer to: Places In the United States: * Fremont, California - largest city with the name ** Fremont station ** Fremont station (BART) **Fremont Central Park * Fremont, Yolo County, California * Fremont, Illinois * Fremont Center, Il ...

* 2012–present

Ram 1500 The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fif ...

(Models: Tradesman, SLT, HFE) * 2013–2021

Ram ProMaster The Fiat Ducato is a light commercial vehicle jointly developed by FCA Italy and PSA Group (currently Stellantis), and mainly manufactured by Sevel, a joint venture between the two companies since 1981. It has also been sold as the Citroën C25 ...

* 2014–2017

(295-hp, 262-lb ft) * 2016–present

Chrysler Pacifica (RU) The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of Stellantis. It is unrelated to the discontinued crossover and concept vehicles by the same name and replaced the Chrysler Town & Country for the 2017 model year. It is po ...

(287-hp, 262-lb ft) (Hybrid: 260-hp combined, 230-lb ft) * 2020–present

Chrysler Voyager The Chrysler Voyager (and the long-wheelbase Chrysler Grand Voyager) is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of Stellantis. In the current lineup, it is positioned as the lower-end Chrysler minivan, having replaced the Dodge Grand Cara ...

(287-hp, 262-lb ft)

Pentastar upgrade

For 2016, FCA released an updated version of the 3.6 L engine. This engine now features upgrades to the

variable valve timing In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing (VVT) is the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. It is increasingly being used in combination with var ...

(VVT) system, two-stage

variable valve lift Variable valve lift (VVL) is an automotive piston engine technology which varies the height a valve opens in order to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. There are two main types of VVL: discrete, which employs fixed valve lift amounts, ...

(VVL), a new

intake manifold In automotive engineering, an inlet manifold or intake manifold (in American English) is the part of an engine that supplies the fuel/ air mixture to the cylinders. The word ''manifold'' comes from the Old English word ''manigfeald'' (from the ...

, new valve springs, new

piston rings A piston ring is a metallic split ring that is attached to the outer diameter of a piston in an internal combustion engine or steam engine. The main functions of piston rings in engines are: # Sealing the combustion chamber so that there is mini ...

, new

fuel injector Fuel injection is the introduction of fuel in an internal combustion engine, most commonly automotive engines, by the means of an injector. This article focuses on fuel injection in reciprocating piston and Wankel rotary engines. All comp ...

s, new

ignition coil An ignition coil (also called a spark coil) is an induction coil in an automobile's ignition system that transforms the battery's voltage to the thousands of volts needed to create an electric spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel. So ...

s, a cooled EGR, lower internal friction and lower weight. It also features a higher compression ratio, increased from 10.2:1 to 11.3:1. These improvements help to increase power as well as efficiency. The new version, however, has lost its

flex-fuel A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle (colloquially called a flex-fuel vehicle) is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or ...

capability. 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan SE - engine compartment

Applications

* 2016-present

(295 hp) * 2016-present

(295 hp) * 2016-present Dodge Charger * 2016-present Dodge Challenger * 2016-present

* 2017-present

Chrysler Pacifica Chrysler Pacifica is a nameplate used by Chrysler for a variety of vehicles. The name was first used on a luxury minivan concept vehicle in 1999, and later a crossover concept in 2002. From 2004 to 2008, it was used on a mid-size crossover, and ...

* 2016-present

* 2020–present

* 2018–present Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JL * 2020–present

Jeep Gladiator (JT) The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup truck manufactured by the Jeep division of Chrysler, Stellantis North America (formerly FCA US). It was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show#2018, 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 28, 2018, and wen ...

* 2022–present

Ram Promaster The Fiat Ducato is a light commercial vehicle jointly developed by FCA Italy and PSA Group (currently Stellantis), and mainly manufactured by Sevel, a joint venture between the two companies since 1981. It has also been sold as the Citroën C25 ...

(280 hp)

Production

The Pentastar engines are made in three different factories:

Dundee Engine Plant Dundee Engine Plant is an automobile engine factory in Dundee, Michigan. It is now wholly owned by Stellantis North America; it was formerly part of the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA). The plant has over of floor space and of lan ...

, Trenton Engine Plant and Saltillo South Engine Plant. Insiders initially reported that the engine would come in four basic sizes (3.0L, 3.3L, 3.6L, and 4.0L), each offered in various states of tune. The 4.0L has been dropped from the list and a 3.2L added, while Fiat's investor website, as of December 2011, specifies the 3.0L with Fiat's MultiAir technology. The 3.6L engine itself has different horsepower ratings in different vehicles, and has higher horsepower (305 hp) and torque (268 lb-ft) as used in the Dodge Challenger Single and

Twin-turbo Twin-turbo (not to be confused with a twincharger setup, which is a combination of a supercharger and a turbocharger) refers to an engine in which two turbochargers work in tandem to compress the intake fuel/air mixture (or intake air, in the case ...

charged variants had been planned for 2015. These engines were projected to produce around , respectively. Direct injection was also planned. Due to the new ownership structure, Fiat has obtained the right to use these engines, and currently adopt them in the larger models of Lancia and Fiat brands.

References

External links

Chrysler press release on 3.6L Pentastar V6 for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Car and Driver details Pentastar upgrade
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chrysler Pentastar Engine

V6 engines Gasoline engines by model

First generation

Versions

Applications

3.0L

3.2L

3.6L

Pentastar upgrade

Applications

Production

See also

References

External links