Wards 10 Best Engines Off-Road Test Drives

Brian Spohn, assistant chief engineer for eTorque mild hybrid stop/start system, talks with WardsAuto editors (from right) Bob Gritzinger and Steve Finlay, Ram 1500 Chief Engineer Mike Raymond and WardsAuto editor James Amend.

Ram 1500 with 3.6L Pentastar V-6 and eTorque mild hybrid system creeps through wrenching terrain.

Engine-mounted motor generator gets power from 48V battery pack in Ram 1500 eTorque with 3.6L Pentastar V-6.

Editor Steve Finlay pilots Wrangler, powered by 2.0L turbocharged 4-cyl. eTorque mild hybrid system.

Editor James Amend shoots pictures of Wrangler as it slowly negotiates mounds.

Button in Ram 1500 with 5.7L Hemi V-8 allows eTorque mild hybrid system to be deactivated.

AutoStop on 5.7L Hemi V-8 in Ram 1500 saves 1.7 oz. (50 milliliters) of fuel every 90 seconds the engine idles.

Wrangler leans hard left.

Wrangler stays level while driver-side rear wheel articulates deeply into well.

Wrangler's 48V stop/start system allows engine to remain off for up to 10 minutes in ideal conditions.

In Wrangler, 48V stop/start system channels up to 71 lb.-ft. (96 Nm) of extra torque to crankshaft of 2.0L turbo-4.

WardsAuto editors James Amend, Steve Finlay, Tom Murphy and Bob Gritzinger with Wrangler.

WardsAuto editors James Amend, Steve Finlay, Tom Murphy and Bob Gritzinger with Wrangler.