Because even Jeep were too excited to wait until the New York International Auto Show later this week, they (or someone else) released the details on the highly-anticipated Grand Cherokee Trackhawk a bit early. On the surface, there isn’t much to tell it apart from a “standard” Grand Cherokee SRT, but the big muscular sheet metal hides a completely different animal inside.
As expected, the formula is as simple as shoving the internet famous Hellcat motor in the Grand Cherokee, but what may not have been expected is that it utilizes all 707 horsepower and almost all of the torque the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 has to offer while gaining all-wheel drive as well. In a Jeep.
America’s super SUV has arrived.
I’ll admit that even I was skeptical about whether Jeep could get everything out of this engine, because even a one-off Ram concept couldn’t. But in the production-ready Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, it only misses out on 5 lb.-ft. of torque compared to the Challenger and Charger Hellcats. 707 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque is what it gets to play with, making it the most powerful SUV on earth.
Its all-wheel-drive system can cope thanks to a reinforced transfer case with forged steel chain sprockets and a wider chain plus a strengthened drive shaft and rear axle. The eight-speed automatic transmission is likely the same one found in the Hellcats.
With everything working together, it’ll go from 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, run the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds, and won’t stop until 180 mph. For the sake of comparison, the Trailhawk quicker to 60 mph than the Bentley Bentayga but can’t best its 187 mph top speed (using manufacturer numbers).
Thankfully, improved chassis control comes courtesy of upgraded adaptive suspension with Bilstein shocks and stopping power is handled by Brembo 15.8″ front rotors with six-piston calipers and 13.8″ rear rotors. The ride quality can be controlled by five different drive modes.
Compared to other fast SUVs on the market, it may actually be the most normal-looking and prettiest of them all. It isn’t ostentatious like the Bentayga, it doesn’t have useless doors like the Model X, and it isn’t as ugly as the X6M. In fact, it really looks nearly identical to the SRT Grand Cherokee.
The differences I could spot can be counted on one hand – different front air ducts (basically just removed the LED running lights) for better cooling, quad exhaust tips, and different rear diffuser. That’s it.
It may seem underwhelming on the surface, but it does reinforce the fact that the Hellcat motor is the star here. Even the Challenger and Charger Hellcats don’t look that much different than their other SRT versions, but they’re still the ones everyone lusts after. There’s no telling how long engines like this one will be around for, so soak it in and start saving up now. It should be available by the end of the year.
[Source: Jeep via MotorAuthority]
Your Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is Here
7 responses to “Your Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is Here”
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That is what we called a “Sleeper” a long time ago,innocent looking but hellacious fast.
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I used to have a definition along “looking stock but isn’t” – now can’t imagine what a Trackhawk-based sleeper could do… 0-60 in 3.3 instead of 3.5? Pointless to me.
I need to readjust my reference frame, but I still refuse to.-
Four wheel drive burnout,saw that years ago with the early Ford Bronco.
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You would find out just how strong that new transfer case chain is!
A few years ago at the Snowy Mountains 1000 (1km standing start) there was a GC SRT turbo running 20 sec or below for the 1k – not bad and ahead of a lot of other fast cars. The airport is at decent altitude.
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Not so sure this qualifies as a sleeper. People will buy this precisely because it loudly shouts ‘I’m not your normal Cherokee’. See also any AMG Benz since 2007.
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This is the best kind of stupid and/or unhinged. I like to think Nicholas Cage channels the spirit of late-model Mopar into his performances.
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Oh. My.
I need to introduce this Hellkitty to its Grandfather, the ’98 5.9L sitting in front of the house.
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