2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: most powerful SUV ever
Posted on January 27, 2020
Some things in the auto business are probably not meant to be, such as a muscle car with a tiny, fuel-efficient engine or a luxury sedan that's stripped of all comfort features to reduce the weight for performance on the track. Some people in the past may have suggested an SUV with one of the most powerful production engines in the world might have fitted into the same category, but they'd probably change their mind when they get to grips with the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk isn't just a fast, powerful SUV; it's currently the most powerful production SUV ever, so let's take a look at what it's all about.
Styling
Jeep could have gone down the stealthy route with this most outrageous version of the Grand Cherokee ever, but instead it's trimmed the Trackhawk to leave onlookers in no doubt that this is something special. The Jeep's unique exterior features include a one-inch lower ride height compared to non-SRT models, some fetching body-colored wheel flares and side sill cladding, a hood boasting dual heat extractor vents, and two exclusive exterior color options in the form of Rhino and Redline 2. The fog lights of the Trackhawk have been deleted from the standard spec, but it's not an aesthetic decision as it's actually a design feature to enhance cooling and air intake.
Powertrain
Ok, so we know the Trackhawk looks great, but it's the powertrain and the associated performance that really sets this stunning model apart from the crowd. The engine is almost exactly the same unit as you'll find powering the legendary Charger and Challenger Hellcats. It's therefore a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that produces an eye-watering 707 horsepower and a very serious 645 lb.-ft. of torque. To cope with that engine, Jeep has upgraded the Trackhawk with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission and driveline components that are specifically designed engineered to handle all that additional torque output.
Of course, it wouldn't be right if this was a rear-wheel drive model, so the Trackhawk features Jeep's Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system. The system includes an electronic limited slip rear differential and a single-speed active transfer case, and the new, full-time active transfer case utilizes forged steel chain sprockets and a wider chain for greater strength and extra durability.
Performance
The Trackhawk can do all the usual on and off-road stuff other high-end Jeep Grand Cherokee models can manage with such ease, but when pushed it can now do so much more too. This sizeable vehicle can propel you from 0 to 60 mph in a staggering 3.5 seconds, it can complete the quarter-mile in just 11.6 seconds at 187 km/h, and the top speed is an incredible 290 km/h.
Features and equipment
This is no stripped-down track monster though, so it comes with all the comforts and amenities you'd expect from such a high-end SUV. Standard features include an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, which also has exclusive Trackhawk Performance Pages for monitoring and recording a variety of performance parameters. There's also the likes of a trailer hitch camera view so the driver can keep an eye on a trailer while driving. The Valet mode seen on some performance cars is also there to keep your Trackhawk safe when you're not the one driving it. The feature limits horsepower, torque, and max engine speed, locks out the transmission's first gear, disables manual mode and paddle shifters, reverts to Street settings, puts the ESC on full-on mode, and disables launch control from being used.
For more details and to be at the front of the line for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, get in touch with us right now at NorthYork Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to avoid disappointment.