Jeep has just laid claim to the ‘world’s fastest 4WD SUV’ tag with an all-new Grand Cherokee model, the Trackhawk.
Boasting a peak power output of 527kW (just over 700hp!!) and peak torque of 874N from its supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, the new eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and Brembo brake-equipped Trackhawk - set to go on sale here in 2018 – can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds, cover the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds (at 186km/h) and has a top speed of 290km/h.
To be built in Detroit at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, the new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will arrive in USA showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2017, followed by a 2018 New Zealand launch when prices and specifications will be announced.
The new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is equipped with the Jeep Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system, which includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential and new, full-time active transfer case.
Standard Launch Control optimises the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s performance and a Selec-Track system uses performance-tuned software to pre-configure and distinguish the five dynamic modes: Auto, Sport, Track, Snow and Tow.
The drive modes separately control the four-wheel-drive system, transmission, paddle shifters, suspension and electric power steering.
Bilstein adaptive damping suspension (ADS) I standard front and rear as are Brembo brakes, using 400mm two-piece vented rotors with six-piston callipers up front 350mm vented rotors with four-piston callipers in the rear.
The Trackhawk rides 25mm lower than non-SRT Grand Cherokee models and is further set apart with body-coloured wheel flares, side sill cladding and a sculpted bonnet with dual heat extractors.
Wheels are 20x10-in. alloys, tyres either Pirelli 295/45ZR20 Scorpion Verde All-Seasons or P Zeros (with an increased speed rating).
To read every story in the June 2017 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (May 19) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
