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Ever wondered what happens when you cross a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and a rather large Jeep SUV? We have, quite a lot. Luckily, Dodge has just answered that question with this: the Hellcat-powered Dodge Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.
Let's start with the name. Just like their Trailhawk Cherokee made specifically for off-road purposes, the Trackhawk is a unique edition made for, you guessed it, the track. FCA has somehow managed to stuff the 6.2-liter V8 from the Hellcat into the Grand Cherokee's engine bay without butchering the body at all. We expected a detuned version with less horsepower than the Hellcat, but instead got the real deal. All 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque are present. Because why not?
Super Car Performance
The Trackhawk would shame most super cars in a short sprint, and that includes Dodge's very own Hellcat. The official figures are as follows: 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed just north of 180 mph. Jeep claims it's the fastest SUV ever built, and with figures like that backing those claims up, it's hard to argue.
Unlike its two-wheel drive Hellcat counterpart, the Trackhawk sends power to all four wheels, so it's not fighting for grip all the time. The Hellcat might be officially faster to 60 mph, but you'll struggle to launch it properly. The Grand Cherokee will run consistent 3.5 second runs all day, every day.
Unique Features
The coolest thing, apart from the power of course, is a special system called 'Torque Reserve'. It essentially tunes the supercharger bypass valve and spark timing real-time during the launch control procedure, building up boost and storing it for the actual launch. That torque is then instantaneously delivered in one massive thrust forward as soon as you let your foot off the brake. It's brutal and savage.
To be honest, a 707 horsepower SUV designed for sporty driving doesn't make a lot of sense. It's no more practical than the regular Grand Cherokee nor is it any more capable in day to day situations. It's silly and ridiculous to say the least, but it will put most super and sports cars to shame. All the more reason you should want one.
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