2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Given The Green Flag

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Per inside sources, the green flag has been given for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, with testing already underway.

The Trackhawk — codenamed Project K — is undergoing powertrain testing using 2016 Grand Cherokee bodies, Motor Authority reports. Said powertrain will be none other than the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 found in the Charger and Challenger Hellcats, good for 707 horsepower. A ZF eight-speed auto will funnel the raw power to all four corners, with zero to 60 coming in 3 seconds, topping out at 200 mph.

For those whose hearts aren’t hardy enough for the most brutal and metal of all Grand Cherokees, the same sources state the Grand Cherokee SRT would gain a new name and a revised 6.4-liter HEMI V8 set to generated 490 horses.

FCA remains mum on the subject for now, of course.

(Photo credit: Jeep)

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Brn Brn on Jun 20, 2015

    Is it trail rated?

  • Geozinger Geozinger on Jun 20, 2015

    These comments have been kind of funny, most here see this car as something (relatively) new, I see this car as playing catch up with Mercedes, Porsche, et al. Who really needs an AMG G63 (Gelaendewagen) or a Turbo Cayenne? Obviously somebody. Why shouldn't FCA cash in on this trend? At the same time, FCA needs to make hay while the sun shines, so to speak. The upcoming stringent EPA rules, and a possible merger with someone could hamstring further development and sales of cars like this. As Der Arnold (Schwarzenegger) would say: Do it now! Not the right ride for me at this time, but if I had the bucks, I'd do it.

    • Baconator Baconator on Jun 20, 2015

      Mmm...no, this seems very different to me. This bests both the G63 and the Turbo Cayenne by a *large* margin on horsepower and torque. There's also a pretentiousness to the Turbo Cayenne and G63 that doesn't attach to the Jeep brand - those cars are marketed as all-round performance vehicles, which is fake positioning. The Cherokee is supposed to be a straight-line muscle car, a role in which it has credibility. I've never, once, thought that owning a Cayenne Turbo or X6M would be fun or interesting, but somehow a Cherokee Hellcat has me pulling out the spreadsheet to see if I could squeeze in another $1000/month lease.

  • Hummer Hummer on Jun 20, 2015

    I feel like I just read comments from some extremists in MADD, not comments on a auto enthusiast site. Deride this and be cursed to drive a moped for all eternity, the best in the automotive world comes from creations that aren't reasonable. This is no different. Your no more likely to die in this than you are a 1969 Cadillac, or a 1999 Accord. I would much rather see a Jeep offer a competitor to the GMT400 design with the GMT800 simplicity and the K2XX quality; besting all 3 categories of course. But your wasting oxygen saying someone else shouldn't have it because your ideals are more salient than any (actual) potential consumers.

    • El scotto El scotto on Jun 20, 2015

      Or when you need an SUV, you need an SUV. Towing with a G-Wagon or a Cayenne? It doesn't happen often. Some people have boats/horse trailers/jets skis to tow and a Grand Cherokee serves that purpose nicely. The once and future Wagoneer gives FCA demographics Ford and Chevy could only hope for. It is disheartening to see the haterade being served by the pitcher. I understand that many of you don't like SUVs/CUVs. Go research why V-10 Excursions are SUVs of desire. Then you might understand why this Cherokee is desirable.

  • Derekson Derekson on Jun 20, 2015

    The issue to me with developing this kind of vehicle is that FCA doesn't have the money to both develop insane performance versions as well as things like plug-in hybrid versions that are needed for the future. Yeah, Porsche makes the Cayenne Turbo S and Mercedes makes a GLE AMG 63 S, but they both also have plug-in hybrid versions in the works to offer eco-friendly options and cover the market as well as hitting tougher CAFE numbers. FCA has limited money for R&D and they're spending significant amounts of it to beef up the AWD system in the JGC to handle a 700+ HP engine. It seems like a very short term plan, investing in more Hellcat things because the Hellcat Charger and Challenger have sold well, but it isn't setting FCA up for the future which is going to be a significant issue soon. It just seems like another sign that Marchionne is only interested in boosting the short-term P&L numbers to prepare for a merger with a company that actually has an R&D future.

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    • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Jun 21, 2015

      @derekson I have not seen this prototype, so no I was not aware. The hybrids which have been marketed thus far have been geared toward economy. If there really is a best of both worlds, sure I think it could be great.

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