From Pentastars.com comes rumors that long-awaited upgrades to Chrysler’s Pentastar engines may be finally in the works. The PUGs (Pentastar Upgrades) won’t be here in time for 2015 but will be ready by 2017, or perhaps even 2016 according to Allpar.com. No official word has been given on what the upgrades will be but, rumors of revised heads, direct injection as well as changes to the dual-cam phasing system that can improve exhaust and intake flow for the 3.0L and 3.2L engines.

According to a 2011 Financial report from Chrysler, it was planning on giving the 3.0L direct injection, turbocharging and MultiAir. Perhaps with the 3.0 now on the market for the last few years we will see a direct injected turbo variant. Ferrari/Maserti have already a created turbo 404 horsepower V6 from using a Pentastar block, perhaps we will see a motor close to that.

A member of the forum (MoparNorm) has written that the new 3.2L will have an increase cylinder thickness which means it will overall have a small bore. The new motor will have smaller pistons, rings, valves and new heads. The engine is being designed with smaller journals which will increase MPG and reduce rolling resistance. This mill would act as a lower option under the 3.6L V6 and the 380 horsepower 5.7L V8.

The current 3.2L was released in March 2013 as the base powerplant for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It produces 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque. A 3.3L V6 was in R&D, but word has it that this project was dropped all together. Chrysler’s new 3.0L and 3.2L Pentastar engines will likely be found in a variety of vehicles, including Jeeps, and will probably be supplied as budget performance engines for those who can’t afford a 5.7L Hemi.

For the 2017 model year the PUG will likely be the base model option for the new Ram 1500. These engines should be mated to the 8-speed automatic transmissions.