The most powerful production SUV in the world: the Jeep Grand Cheerokee Trackhawk

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

These Americans/Italians at FCA are insane...

information from Carscoop: http://www.carscoops.com/2017/04/201...hawk-is_9.html, pics from FCA.

After a couple years of waiting, the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has just debuted prior to the New York Auto Show and just as expected, it is quite extraordinary.

As we've known for a long time, power for the Trackhawk continues to come from the company's 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8. As with its Challenger and Charger siblings, it continues to churn out 707 hp and 645 lb-ft but thanks to the car's all-wheel drive system, it is quicker than its lighter siblings.

As a matter of fact, Jeep says it'll sprint from a standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 3.5 seconds and run down the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 116 mph. It'll continue onto a top speed of 180 mph (289 km/h). Impressively, the Grand Cherokee will come to a stop from 60 mph to 0 in 114 feet thanks to its six-piston Brembo calipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear, clamping down on 15.75-inch and 13.78-inch discs respectively.

Compared to the Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcats, the oil capacity of the Trackhawk is greater, 8.3 quarts versus 7.0. This aids in maintaining the same 7,200 lbs towing capacity as the Grand Cherokee SRT8. Additionally, the Trackhawk's eight-speed Torqueflite transmission has been modified from the Hellcat twins and includes a Track mode that cuts shift times to a mere 160 milliseconds.

From a visual perspective, the Trackhawk is hard to differentiate from the SRT8 in a somewhat surprising move from Jeep. The only key indicators of the vehicle's true identity include new air inlets where the foglights traditionally sit (one cooling the engine intake and one serving the oil cooler), quad black exhaust pipes, a 'Trackhawk' badge on the hatch and a 'Supercharged' badge on both of the front doors.

The SUV also receives a set of new wheels that measure 20x10 inch at all four corners and can be ordered in either cast aluminum or forged aluminum, an option which drops weight by 12 lbs.

Moving to the inside and the Trackhawk retains all the luxuries of a typical Grand Cherokee. That includes an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but now, it includes a number of performance parameters unique in the Trackhawk Performance Pages menu. Other features include a dedicated Valet mode that limits horsepower, torque, engine speed, disables launch control, locks out first gear, puts the ESC on full and disables the paddle shifters. Oh, the speedometer also tops out at 200 mph.

Official pricing details have yet to be announced but the Trackhawk should start at around $85,000. Sales in the U.S. will commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

[kprocivic]

Pretty dope. So can we get a demonhawk?

[mkoesel]

This is a beast for sure. But for $85k I think I would have my sights on the new GLC63 S. I suppose that is not surprising since I chose an M3 over a Charger Hellcat for similar money too.

[KingOfJericho]

I love it. I've been DDing my '14 GC Overland Hemi for the last 6 months and it's a great vehicle. This thing though....

[Viffermike]

Six-piston Brembos on a Jeep is as fundamentally wrong as a foot-activated hatch on a Porsche. Which is probably coming.

[beats]

Sure it's fast and all, but why even bother with all the track pictures? Who would seriously track this?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by skru_fase

Sure it's fast and all, but why even bother with all the track pictures? Who would seriously track this?

Where's the line? An M5 or a Panamera is a massive amount of pork, but they still show up at the track. I've seen an F350 Duallie turn laps. Run what you brung, etc.

I'd imagine this thing is faster on many tracks than many supposed sports cars. Doesn't make me want one, but I'm still glad things like this exist.

[Blackraven]

Sick SUV no doubt.
This is the type of car that the bean counters would cringe.....but the brand builds it anyway

[ezndo]

Goin' to the NYAS to check this thing out

[beats]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Where's the line? An M5 or a Panamera is a massive amount of pork, but they still show up at the track. I've seen an F350 Duallie turn laps. Run what you brung, etc.

I'd imagine this thing is faster on many tracks than many supposed sports cars. Doesn't make me want one, but I'm still glad things like this exist.

The closest thing I have seen to this on a track was an X5M. It was fast as hell on the straights, but not too swift in the corners. Mind you it was driven by a novice driver...

My point is, sure you can take it to the track, and it may actually be faster than some (or many) BMW's, but again who seriously looks at this as a track car? Why advertise it as such? I would only consider this if I didn't give a shiz about fuel economy and wanted a fun car for a DD. Never in a million years would I take it to the track (unless it was maybe for a one time thing to see if I could beat a P-car or something )

[MalibuBimmer]

Reliability and on road handling would be my concerns. I think it's unsafe to drive most of these Jeep vehicles on the freeways. Other than plug in a huge engine, a la Mercedes AMG, what is Chrysler/Fiat doing about making this vehicle road safe?

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Reliability and on road handling would be my concerns. I think it's unsafe to drive most of these Jeep vehicles on the freeways. Other than plug in a huge engine, a la Mercedes AMG, what is Chrysler/Fiat doing about making this vehicle road safe?

Can you elaborate on how this "Jeep vehicle" is any less safe than any other SUV? I understand this sentiment if this was a wrangler, but my JGC Overland hugs the road pretty nicely, especially in aero mode. The center of gravity is pretty low compared to something tall like a G-wagen or alike.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

Pretty dope. So can we get a demonhawk?

It has the hellcat motor. They'd need to drop the demon motor with 808 HP to call it that.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by skru_fase

Sure it's fast and all, but why even bother with all the track pictures? Who would seriously track this?

I want to see how this does off road, though I think people would track it as it can outrun a hellcat at least off the line.

[Germanauto]

Typical Chrysler. "Most powerful sedan," "fastest 1/4 mile sedan," "most powerful SUV."

Yada yada.

Your cars are still junk at the end of the day.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Typical Chrysler. "Most powerful sedan," "fastest 1/4 mile sedan," "most powerful SUV."

Yada yada.

Your cars are still junk at the end of the day.

From real life experience, no car I've owned has seen the dealer more than my BMW did, including my Jeep.

[Red Bread]

Since the current GC is largely the last generation MB GL, I'm not sure what all the blind "Americuh sux at cars" gibberish is. But carry on, Bah Emm Vey über alles.

[KingOfJericho]

I think you meant "ML", but yes, it's a Mercedes chassis. In reality, it doesn't share much other than the basic frame...

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I think you meant "ML", but yes, it's a Mercedes chassis. In reality, it doesn't share much other than the basic frame...

Oops, yeah, they threw me with the recent dumb name change. But a chassis is a pretty big piece of how a car feels. Even doing their worst, Chrysler would be hard pressed to wildly change the feel of it.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

From real life experience, no car I've owned has seen the dealer more than my BMW did, including my Jeep.

I don't doubt your experience but that's simply anecdotal evidence. BMWs are not known for their reliability but statistically they certainly aren't as bad as Chrysler. This company has never gotten reliability right in its entire existence.

[KingOfJericho]

Not going to argue that one bit. To their defense, this is a vehicle that Chrysler HAD TO get right. It's my first American car after several Germans and it's refreshing to know that even if something does go wrong, the conversation won't start with "We have an estimate for the repair... are you sitting down?" It's been great thus far with only two minor repairs, both covered under warranty.

[R3dliner]

It's refreshing to see the domestics trying to go overboard(demon, vettes, gt350R) while the rest of the world is going the opposite direction. Look at the new M4 CS with no 6MT, hybrid electric steering bleh. At least the big 3 are trying to make purest cars. We only got P cars left on the german side.