Jeep is cooking the rebirth of the Wagoneer in the form of a full-size SUV that should hit the market in 2020. Until then, we hear that the new model might benefit from a mighty inline-six engine that could outmuscle the HEMI V-8 while displacing less to make it attractive for heavily taxed markets such as Europe and Asia

It's been rumored for quite a while that the Fiat-Chrysler group is pouring resources into a new six-pot engine and the latest reports tell the tale of a compact engine that will be able to fit on a multitude of platforms and models from the automakers that sit at the FCA table.

A Twin-Turbocharged Inline-six in the Wagoneer? Interesting!

We've already seen a test mule of the upcoming Jeep Wagoneer, the first Jeep to wear this badge since the 1993 Grand Wagoneer based on the ZJ Cherokee, drive around almost a year ago. Now, we're learning more about what might sit under that tall hood of the E-segment Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

Allpar.com reported recently that FCA is developing a new six-cylinder engine from a clean piece of paper with the final goal being two-fangled: small proportions which, in turn, give way to flexibility and high performance. Given the requirement for small size, Allpar bets that the engine won't be a GME four-cylinder with a couple of cylinders glued in. Instead, look for a small bore and aluminum cylinder liners that would replace the steel ones as they're thinner. FCA hopes, according to the same source, that the new engine will be about as long as the four-cylinder, give or take 2-3 inches, as a result of their exercise in tight packing -

FCA looks to keep it below 3.0-liters as some markets impose heavy taxation on engines that exceed that mark. To extract everything from this displacement, either a twin-turbocharger or a twin-scroll turbocharger arrangement is planned. In terms of performance, FCA has the 5.7-liter HEMI as a benchmark. Post-2009, this engine makes 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque in the Grand Cherokee.

As this will be an engine that will be nestled under the hoods of Jeeps, Dodges, Chrysler, Alfa-Romeos, and even Maseratis, you could expect both solutions to be put into practice. Allpar.com says that the Chryslers will make use of the twin-scroll version while Alfa and Maserati models will be fitted with the twin-turbocharged 'Tornado' or, rather, GME T6 since we're not quite sure of its actual code name at the moment.

The Wagoneer is part of Jeep's roadmap for the next four years as the manufacturer targets to cover 100% of the market with the introduction of a number of new models besides the E-segment Wagoneer, namely the D-segment Gladiator pick-up truck and an A/B-segment crossover to sit below the existing Renegade. Jeep's roadmap also offers an insight into the company's interest in electrification and a hybrid version for each of the models on the roaster is planned by 2021 while diesels will begin to be phased out. Level 3 autonomous technology is in the works too.

Expect the revived full-size Wagoneer to come with three rows of seats not only in the mammoth Grand Wagoneer. The extra inches of the Navigator-battling SUV should also come at a sizeable price tag with reports from earlier on in the year talking of an MSRP in the $140,000 area for the model with a few extra inches in the wheelbase as Jeep plans to pack these models with luxurious creature comforts.

Further reading

Read our speculative review of the 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer}

Learn all there is to know about the 2020 Jeep Gladiator}

Read up on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL}