Automotive

Hellcat V8 helps Grand Cherokee become the world's most powerful SUV

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The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is essentially a high-riding Hellcat
Behind the wheel of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The central touchscreen in the  Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk now has performance tracking capabilities 
The flat-bottomed wheel in the  Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is unique
The eight-speed automatic gearbox in the  Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk retuns to handle the V8 under the hood
The big leather pews in the  Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk look comfortable
Room for three in the back of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The Trackhawk motif is scattered around the cabin
Carbon fiber equals sport in the minds of designers. Yes, even in SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The speedo in the  Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk runs to 200 mph
Kids bored on the way to school? Show them how much pressure the supercharger is making in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The all-wheel drive system in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has been strengthened to deal with its crazier outputs
It might be a big V8, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is still a practical SUV
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk rides 15 mm lower than the standard SRT
The V8 in the  Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk takes it to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds
The Trackhawk is fitted with Brembo brakes
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will be on show at the New York Auto Show
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is essentially a high-riding Hellcat
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk won't do a burnout like a Hellcat
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk promises Hellcat thrills for the whole family
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is one of a few FCA debuts in New York
This is all other SUV drivers will see of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
In spite of its name, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is unlikely to spend much time on the track
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the most powerful SUV in the world 
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a high-riding Hellcat
Jeep has drifted a long way from its rudimentary roots with the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk tackles the track 
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will tow more than 3 tonnes
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk tackles the track
Quad pipes in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk hint at its performance potential
In case you weren't aware, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is supercharged
Big Brembo brakes in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk help keep things under control 
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk growls through a quad exhaust 
The supercharged engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The Jeep Trackhawk is an SUV defined by what's under the hood
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The Trackhawk is powered by the Hellcat V8
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
Fiat Chrysler is all about the Hellcat V8 at the moment 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The Trackhawk on show in New York 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The Trackhawk badge is a new one for Jeep 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
Jeep has entered a new realm with the Trackhawk 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
View gallery - 39 images

The 2017 New York Auto Show is shaping up as a big one for Fiat Chrysler Automotive. Dodge will be putting an end to the tease and finally unveiling the Demon tomorrow, and Jeep has already whipped the covers off the Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk. With the V8 from the Dodge Hellcat crammed into its engine bay, the Trackhawk is the quickest, most powerful four-wheel drive to emerge from the Jeep factory.

That's right, the Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk is essentially a four-wheel drive Hellcat on stilts. The supercharged V8 pumps out 527 kW (707 hp) of power and 874 Nm of torque, which is enough to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds. Sure, the Tesla Model X has it covered off the line, but the Trackhawk clocks an identical 11.6-second quarter mile, and keeps pulling through to 290 km/h (180 mph).

Compared to the downsized, turbocharged and electrified powertrains making their way into rival SUVs, the engine in the Trackhawk isn't particularly sophisticated. With that said, Dodge left no stone unturned when developing it for the Hellcat. Water jackets between the cylinders help keep things cool, and the forged-steel crankshaft is designed to handle firing pressures up to 1,600 psi.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will tow more than 3 tonnes

Putting this prodigious power to the road requires some serious work on the drivetrain. The on-demand four-wheel drive system, which now includes an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle, makes use of forged steel chain sprockets and a new chain in the transfer case to handle. Meanwhile, a new driveshaft is hooked up to a stronger rear axle, and the rear differential is mounted using a new four-point mount to better distribute load. Launch control is standard, so that's probably for the best.

Unlike the Hellcat, which is available in a stick-shift, the Jeep will only be offered with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Keen drivers might be disappointed but, in spite of its name, the Trackhawk is more likely to be driven on the school run than the racetrack.

Anyone with dreams of track-day heroics will be pleased to know Jeep has tweaked the standard Grand Cherokee SRT suspension to handle the extra power on tap. Stopping is dealt with by 400 mm (15.7 inches) two-piece brake rotors up front and 350 mm (13.8 in) vented rear rotors, which help deliver a stopping distance of just 36 meters (118 ft) from 100 km/h.

Jeep has entered a new realm with the Trackhawk 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas

By now, it should be clear the Trackhawk is all about standing out. It sits 15 mm (0.59 in) lower than the regular SRT V8, and a smattering of "Supercharged" badges scattered around the exterior let onlookers know this isn't an average grocery-getter. If that doesn't give it away, the V8 rumble and supercharger whine should also do the job.

Inside, the standard cabin has been tarted up with some soft-touch leather, while the central touchscreen now doubles as a mobile performance meter. The speedo runs to 320 km/h (199 mph) as well. Music-loving owners will be pleased to know the car has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Pricing for the car hasn't been announced, but expect it to set you back around US$80,000. It'll be on show at the New York Auto Show, where New Atlas is on the ground covering all the action.

Source: Jeep

View gallery - 39 images
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4 comments
Bob
I don't think that low ground clearance and low profile tires will help much with off roading.
Island Architect
Do you really think Bob that this is meant for Off Roading? It's a show piece and a way to look down on your neighbor's Land Rover.
WB
Last time I checked the Model X P100D does 2.9s 0 to 60 which is an eternity faster than the 3.6 (for this hellcat), and 10.6s for quarter mile vs. 11.6s for Hellcat quartermile. So the hellcat is by far neither the quickest nor the most powerfull SUV out there - that remains with the Model X P100D. So time to adjust the headline grabbing title to 2nd most powerful, 2nd quickest...
BrandonVirgin
WalterBacktiger, I aspire to one day to own a Model S because it is pure awesome. However, the Model X looks like a bubble up wannabe Model S and I am not sure it qualifies as an SUV. The Grand Cherokee Hellcat is very performant and clearly a real SUV.