Two weeks ago, we told you of a potent four-cylinder engine under development by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Now there’s physical proof of the so-called “Hurricane” mill.

Spy photos obtained by TTAC show a cloaked Jeep Wrangler test mule with the hood up and a pile of evidence underneath. The positioning of the oil fill cap points to an inline engine, and air intake ducting routed over the cam cover points to a turbocharger — in this case, a high-mounted one.

Now, will the Hurricane make the nearly 300 horsepower as has been claimed? That’s a wait-and-see thing.

Going by earlier reports, FCA will produce the 2.0-liter turbo four, which features direct injection, alongside the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 at its Trenton Engine Complex. Given its high output, the engine will likely appear in vehicles across FCA’s portfolio.

FCA needs a fuel-sipping but powerful engine to please environmental regulators when the next-generation Wrangler bows as a 2018 model. The automaker also plans to lighten the Wrangler with some aluminum parts and add a ZF eight-speed automatic as an option, with a possible plug-in hybrid available for electric off-roading.

Recent spy shots of camo-clad test vehicles show subtle styling tweaks, pointing to better aerodynamics.

Expect a diesel engine to show up before the hybrid. Jeep also plans to fling a long-awaited pickup variant into America’s outstretched arms.

[Images: © Spiedbilde/The Truth About Cars]