The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk stormed onto the scene, immediately claiming the title of the most powerful and quickest SUV ever produced. This groundbreaking vehicle isn’t just about brute force; it’s a meticulously engineered machine that combines world-class performance with the everyday practicality and luxury Jeep is known for. For those seeking unparalleled power and exhilarating driving dynamics in an SUV, the Trackhawk delivers an experience unlike any other.
The Heart of the Beast: A Supercharged 707 Horsepower Engine
At the core of the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk lies a monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine, unleashing a staggering 707 horsepower and 645 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine isn’t just powerful; it’s built for extreme durability and performance. Constructed with a cast iron block featuring water jackets for optimal cooling and a forged-steel crankshaft capable of withstanding immense pressure, this engine is engineered to handle relentless power delivery. The high-strength, forged-alloy pistons and premium-grade aluminum-alloy cylinder heads further contribute to the engine’s robust nature and superior thermal conductivity.
The Trackhawk’s supercharger, with its twin-screw rotors coated in a proprietary formula, ensures enhanced compressor performance and efficiency. This advanced coating allows for tighter rotor clearances, minimizing air leakage and maximizing boost pressure. The supercharger system is further refined with a one-way clutch de-coupler, contributing to a powerful yet captivating engine sound that Trackhawk drivers will relish. A cold-air scoop, replacing the driver’s-side fog lamp, feeds the 92mm throttle body, ensuring the engine receives ample air for optimal performance. The lubrication system and low-temperature cooling system are designed to maintain ideal operating temperatures even under the most demanding driving conditions, including track use. A high-performance fuel delivery system with dual high-flow pumps ensures the engine is always fed with the necessary fuel to match its immense power output.
Unrivaled Performance Metrics: Speed and Acceleration
The sheer power of the Trackhawk’s engine translates into breathtaking performance figures. It rockets from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds, achieving a quarter mile in just 11.6 seconds at 116 mph. The Trackhawk doesn’t stop there, reaching a top speed of 180 mph, solidifying its position as the quickest SUV on the planet. This level of acceleration and top speed is unprecedented in the SUV category, placing the Trackhawk in a league of its own.
Precision Engineering: Transmission and Driveline
To manage and effectively channel the Trackhawk’s immense power, Jeep engineers equipped it with an upgraded high-torque capacity TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. This transmission delivers rapid and refined shifts, optimizing both performance and drivability. The intelligent transmission software adapts to various driving conditions, ensuring the correct gear selection for any situation, whether it’s aggressive acceleration or relaxed cruising.
The Trackhawk utilizes the Jeep Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system, featuring an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a single-speed active transfer case. This system ensures optimal traction and power distribution in all conditions. The transfer case is strengthened with forged steel chain sprockets and a wider chain for enhanced durability. A robust rear drive shaft and a newly designed rear axle further reinforce the driveline, ensuring it can withstand the Trackhawk’s immense torque output. The differential’s revised housing, ring-and-pinion tooth geometry, and four-point axle mounting contribute to improved load distribution and overall durability. Ultra-high-strength steel half-shafts transfer power to the rear wheels, completing a driveline engineered for extreme performance and reliability.
Launch Control and Torque Reserve: Optimized Acceleration
The 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk comes standard with Launch Control, a system designed to maximize straight-line acceleration. Launch Control expertly coordinates the engine, transmission, driveline, and suspension to deliver consistent and textbook launches. Complementing Launch Control is the Torque Reserve system, which further enhances engine torque response and acceleration from a standstill. By pre-positioning the supercharger bypass valve and managing fuel and spark timing, Torque Reserve builds boost pressure and minimizes manifold filling time, ensuring instantaneous torque delivery when the driver demands it.
Selec-Track System: Dynamic Driving Modes
The Selec-Track system in the Trackhawk offers five distinct dynamic modes: Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, and Tow, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle’s performance characteristics to suit various conditions and preferences. Each mode precisely adjusts the four-wheel-drive system, transmission, paddle shifters, suspension, and electric power steering.
- Auto: Adapts automatically to any condition with a 40/60 front/rear torque split.
- Sport: Reduces transmission shift times by 50% compared to Auto, firms up stability control, 4WD, and steering for enthusiast driving, with a 35/65 torque split.
- Track: Provides maximum track performance with 68% faster shifts than Auto (160 milliseconds), track-tuned stability control, 4WD, and steering, and a 30/70 torque split.
- Tow: Optimizes torque delivery and adjusts suspension for confident towing performance, utilizing a 60/40 torque split.
- Snow: Maximizes traction on snow and ice by reducing engine horsepower and using a 50/50 torque split.
Furthermore, a Custom Mode allows drivers to personalize their driving experience by individually selecting settings for various vehicle systems. The Trackhawk’s suspension features a short- and long-arm independent front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, both utilizing Bilstein adaptive damping suspension (ADS) for exceptional handling and ride quality. Despite its high-performance nature, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk retains impressive towing capability, rated at 7,200 pounds.
Benchmark Braking Performance: Brembo High-Performance Brakes
To match its incredible speed, the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk is equipped with equally impressive braking power. New high-performance Brembo brakes, the largest standard front brakes ever fitted to a Jeep vehicle, ensure exceptional stopping performance. The front brakes feature massive 15.75-inch (400 mm) two-piece vented rotors with six-piston calipers, while the rear utilizes 13.78-inch (350 mm) vented rotors with four-piston calipers, all finished in distinctive yellow. These Brembo brakes provide outstanding heat management, durability, and stopping power, bringing the Trackhawk to a halt from 60 mph in just 114 feet. The anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, and traction control systems are uniquely tuned to further enhance braking performance and safety.
Aggressive and Functional Exterior Design
The exterior of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk reflects its high-performance capabilities with an aggressive and functional design. Riding one inch lower than non-SRT Grand Cherokee models, the Trackhawk features body-colored wheel flares, side sill cladding, and a sculpted hood with dual heat extractors. The signature seven-slot upper front grille is flanked by adaptive bi-xenon headlamps with a unique Gloss Black background. The front fascia omits fog lights to optimize airflow to cooling modules, maintaining aerodynamic balance. A unique Gloss Black rear valence houses quad four-inch Black Chrome exhaust tips, producing a distinctive and exhilarating exhaust note. “Supercharged” badges on the front doors and a “Trackhawk” badge on the liftgate further distinguish this high-performance model. New standard 20 x 10-inch Titanium-finish wheels, showcasing the yellow Brembo calipers, complete the Trackhawk’s assertive stance. Lightweight forged aluminum wheels are also available, offering a weight reduction of 12 pounds. The Trackhawk is equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season tires and Pirelli P Zero three-season tires, specifically designed for high-performance SUVs. A palette of nine exterior colors, including exclusive Rhino and Redline 2, allows for personalization.
Racing-Inspired, Premium Interior
The interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is driver-focused and meticulously crafted with premium materials and high-tech features. Soft-touch materials, Light Black Chrome finishes, and carbon fiber accents create a luxurious and sporty ambiance. A 7-inch driver information display (DID) instrument cluster prominently features a center-mounted tachometer and a 200-mph speedometer. The instrument panel’s center stack houses an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Trackhawk-exclusive Performance Pages, providing real-time performance data, including horsepower, torque, and dynamometer readings. A snapshot function allows drivers to save performance readouts via USB. The flat-bottom three-spoke steering wheel incorporates comfort, convenience, and connectivity controls, along with ergonomically placed paddle shifters. Standard Nappa leather and suede seats with an embroidered “Trackhawk” logo offer both comfort and sporty support. Optional features include a Signature Leather Interior Package with embossed seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, Dark Ruby Red seatbelts, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. A standard Premium Metal Package adds upscale metal accents throughout the interior. Additional premium features include Active Noise Cancellation, a premium headliner, leather-stitched surfaces, Berber floormats with a Trackhawk badge, and an available rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray. Two audio systems are offered, including a high-performance 825-watt Harman Kardon system with 19 speakers and subwoofers.
Comprehensive Safety and Security Features
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk prioritizes safety and security with over 70 features. Trailer Hitch Camera View at Speed allows drivers to monitor trailered items while driving, and a Valet mode restricts vehicle performance and access for security. Valet mode limits engine horsepower and torque, restricts RPM to 4,000, locks out first gear, upshifts early, disables paddle shifters and Drive Mode functions, and engages Full-on ESC. Valet mode is activated and deactivated with a personalized PIN code. Other standard safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Advanced Brake Assist, Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection, Full-speed Forward Collision Warning with Crash Mitigation, Front and Rear Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning-Plus, and Ready Alert Braking. SiriusXM Guardian and Roadside Assistance buttons provide additional connectivity and support.
Advanced Technology and Connectivity
The Trackhawk features the latest Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, incorporating standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These systems seamlessly integrate smartphones for navigation, communication, music, and more. The Uconnect system boasts enhanced processing power, faster startup times, high-resolution graphics, and user-friendly features like pinch-to-zoom. SiriusXM Radio, Travel Link, Traffic, and Guardian Connected Services provide real-time information and entertainment.
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is more than just an SUV; it’s a statement. It’s a testament to engineering excellence, blending raw power with refined luxury and advanced technology. For those who demand the ultimate in SUV performance, the Trackhawk stands alone at the pinnacle.
