Fiat Chrysler upgrades 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 for 2016

Fiat Chrysler says it is "polishing the Pentastar" for the 2016 model year, upgrading the 3.6-litre V6 used extensively throughout the automaker's marquees to make more power and burn less fuel.

The engine, which powers everything from the Jeep Wrangler to the Dodge Challenger, gets a six per cent improvement in fuel economy and a 14.9 per cent boost in low-end torque, all while shedding a few pounds.

New for 2016 is two-step variable valve lift (VVL), which is designed to remain mostly in low-lift mode until the driver calls for more power, cooled exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR), and a reconfigured variable valve timing (VVT) system.

The Pentastar engine also gets an increased compression ratio—11.3:1, up from 10.2:1 in its previous generation—and weighs as little as 396 lbs., down four lbs. total from 2015 despite adding 13 lbs. in new content.

The 3.6-litre Pentastar is available in the Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan, Durango, Challenger and Charger, the Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country, the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and the Ram 1500 pickup and Promaster van.