Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018 price and specification confirmed

Hellcat-engined Grand Cherokee hits Australia for less than half the price of the fastest (but slower) Porsche Cayenne.

Just when you thought the world had evolved beyond supercharged V8 family cars, Jeep has confirmed Australian pricing and specs for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk that hits Australian showrooms this week. 

With a list price of $134,900, the Trackhawk sits more than $34,000 above the naturally-aspirated 6.4-litre SRT that has until now formed the top of the Grand Cherokee performance tree.  

But, it’s an absolute performance SUV bargain next to the $306,436 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and half million-plus Lamborghini Urus due next year. 

The Trackhawk’s 3.7s 0-100km and 289km/h top speed claims also trump the Porsche’s 4.1/284 respective figures, and come close to the Urus’ 3.6/305 claims. 

The Trackhawk is still some way behind the top-spec Tesla Model X’s 2.8 second 0-100km/h claim, but few will argue that the Trackhawk’s V8 rumble and supercharged whine doesn’t balance this deficit somewhat. 

Thanks to the 522kW/868Nm (yes!!!) supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 made famous by the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat twins in the US, Jeep is claiming the Trackhawk to be the most powerful V8 SUV on the planet. 

Aside from its epic outputs, acceleration and top speed, Jeep also claims it will pull an 11.6s quarter mile, 0.88g in cornering force, and stop from 100km/h in just 37m thanks to massive 400/350mm Brembo brakes front to rear.

Helping embrace the Hellcat is an upgraded eight-speed auto and an active transfer case that drops low range, electronic rear LSD, track-focused suspension tune with Bilstein adaptive dampers plus launch control to help you get the best out of it.

One downside for all this performance is that combined fuel consumption jumps from the SRT’s 14.0L/100km to 16.8. 

It’s still rated to tow 2949kg braked, even if it’s down from the regular Grand Cherokee’s best of 3500kg.

Standing the Trackhawk apart from the regular Grand Cherokee SRT is unique Titanium-coloured 20x10 inch wheels, bespoke front bumper inserts and huge quad exhausts poking out of the rear end. The black forged alloy wheels (which save 5.5kg per corner) and Pirelli P-Zero 3 Season tyres seen in the above images are optional, however. 

The interior features Nappa leather and suede on several surfaces, a flat-bottomed steering wheel Light Black Chrome and carbon fibre detailing. 

The multimedia screen adds extra performance timer displays, gauges and a pseudo engine dynamometer readout. 

Also available is a fully wrapped Signature Nappa package, in black or black and dark ruby. 

There’s also a valet mode to add peace of mind when sharing the keys, which cuts power and torque significantly, limits the engine to 4000rpm, locks out first gear and alters shift behaviour while deactivating manual shifting via the lever and paddles, holds the Street drive mode, and ensures all traction aids are left on. 

FCA Australia boss Steve Zanlunghi told CarsGuide at this week’s Trackhawk media event to mark its Australian debut that Jeep has already taken 200 local orders, including all 62 Launch Edition models. 

Would you buy a 522kW Jeep? Tell us what you think in the comments below.