Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: the magic of the Hellcat is still operating

Frédéric Mercier

Wednesday, 30 August, 2017 07:20

UPDATE
Wednesday, 30 August, 2017 07:20

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An engine of a Hellcat in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The idea may seem simply absurd. And yet, it is very real.

Yes, Jeep has dared to build this vehicle just insane. An SUV that can go play in the mud, thanks to its four-wheel drive, but also designed to devour the tarmac in a sudden, brutal acceleration.

With its 707 horsepower, the Trackhawk is able to pass from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and through the quarter mile in around 11.6 seconds. It can reach a maximum speed senseless of 290 km/h.

The kind of SUV that can tow a race car to the track, and then beat that same car on the circuit…

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

A civility that surprised

At first glance, the Trackhawk not anything different from other versions of the Grand Cherokee. Only the connoisseurs will notice its 20-inch wheels unique, calipers yellow and out of the quad exhaust at the rear.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018

FCA US LLC

For the rest, it’s still fairly subtle. No giant trap air on the hood or big logo to show the world that you are driving a SUV of 707 horses. Personally, I like the recipe. Some consumers may still find the Trackhawk a little too quiet. A matter of taste.

At startup, however, there is no ambiguity. Immediately, one understands that one is far from a Grand Cherokee regular. The V8 surcompressé 6.2-liter found under the hood was immediately heard, and her simple humming was enough to intimidate anyone who finds himself behind the wheel.

Except that once on the road, one realizes that the Trackhawk has nothing to do with a big monster. It is in fact a vehicle frankly civilized that can be driven as nearly any SUV. A sweetness that I was pleasantly surprised.

Until I put the pedal to the floor…

By pressing down on the accelerator, the comfortable SUV wakes up suddenly and wags his carcass over 5000 pounds at an alarming rate. Switch to Sport mode (or Track), and the automatic transmission to eight reports completely changed personality, leaving the super-powered mechanical revolutionize higher plan. A melody for the ears.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018

Frédéric Mercier

For the portfolio, it is a little less melodic when the time comes to refuel. The consumption ratings official have still not been announced, but our test drive has concluded with an average of 14.7 L/100 km. And it was not in the city…

The road to the track

You will have understood, the Trackhawk is not an SUV like the others. And instead of taking him into paths of earth, our first contact with the Jeep the most powerful in the History took place on a race track.

And you know what? It is débouille not bad at all. Well, the big Jeep, as powerful as it is, will never replace a sports car. His weight remains a great drawback, and its very high centre of gravity did nothing to help. Except that for an SUV, the Trackhawk manages to do on a track is quite fascinating.

After all, this new Jeep is not just its engine of 707 horsepower. To make it a vehicle worthy of the family SRT, he has successfully integrated Brembo brakes of a larger dimension, a rear axle reinforced, as well as a limited slip differential. All this to make it a better car on the track, and not just in a straight line.

But what remains the most impressive with the Trackhawk, it is his ability to accelerate like a rocket despite its weight. Thanks to the system “Launch Control”, the large SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h even faster than the Challenger Hellcat. Thank you, cog full!

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018

Frédéric Mercier

To reach 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds to the edge of a large SUV, it is quite an experience. An experience that only the Tesla Model X P100D is capable of beating in the niche of SUVS.

Flippant Attitude

During a meeting with a few members of team SRT in charge of the development of the Trackhawk, a very brief discussion showed me all the casualness behind the development of this SUV race.

– Do you have questions about the Trackhawk?
– Yes, I have one. Why?
– Why the fuck not?

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018

FCA US LLC

This is the message that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launches with this new model. To hell with the detractors. To hell with the environmentalists. Why the fuck not.

To strength to develop vehicles like the Hellcat, the Demon and the Trackhawk, the builder Italian-american is somehow become the bad boy of the automotive industry.

Splash-we the peace with the technologies of electric and autonomous cars. In FCA, one burns gas, and too bad if it offends you. There is still a large market for it, and it is well aware of it. The strategy will raise the ire of many people, but it will also make the happiness of the irreducible nostalgic for the era of Muscle Cars. And they are many.

At a base price of $ 109 of$ 995, the SUV’s engine sports car becomes, of course, the Grand Cherokee is the most expensive of the range. Except that for an SUV of this caliber, you will not find a better offer elsewhere.

Just have to be pretty unreasonable for them to want such a toy. Should indulge in life, no?

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018

FCA US LLC

Technical data sheet

Name: Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 2018
Base price: 109 995$
Configuration : four-wheel drive Vehicle with engine at the front
Engine: Engine V8 “Hellcat” surcompressé 6.2-litre
Transmission: eight-speed Automatic
Power/torque: 707 horsepower/ 645 lb-ft
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3.7 seconds
Maximum speed: 290 km/h
Quarter-mile: 11,6 seconds
Towing capacity: 7200 lbs
Fuel consumption announced: Still unknown
Fuel consumption, observed: 14.7 litres/100 km
Warranty basic: 3 years/60 000 km