Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: Hellcat History

With its monstrous Hemi V8, fierce looks, sport-focused suspension and brakes designed to control all that raw power, the Trackhawk is one hell of an SUV. It has a paddle-shifted eight-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive as standard.

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The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Lives (2018-2021)

The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk emerged in 2017, debuting at the New York International Auto Show. In a bold move, Jeep jammed a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat engine in their mid-sized SUV. With the new 707 horsepower engine this once soccer mom car could now hit 60mph in 3.5 seconds.

Original MSRP: $87,695

From its initial release in 2018, the Trackhawk continued to grace us with its presence each year. While it aged like fine wine, its core essence in terms of performance and appearance remained remarkably consistent.

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Year-By-Year Evolution & Changes

2018

The 2018 Trackhawk was based on the shape of the SRT Jeep, but the Hellcat V8 gave it a big boost.  It went from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It did the quarter-mile in just 12.0 seconds at 115 mph.

Compared to its less crazy SRT brother, the Trackhawk had stronger engine parts and a better cooling system.

One unique modification was the removal of fog lights in favor of enhanced cooling. An air cooler and a cold-air intake took their place, ensuring optimal engine performance even during high-speed endeavors. It also sported a speedometer reaching up to 200 mph, and while you can try to hit it, Jeep says it will top out at 180mph.

2019

From 2018 to 2019, there weren't many changes. The center stack changed around the screen. In 2019, the cool down tool was added to the Performance pages, and the PCV valve was moved to the airbox. If the valve was released to the inlet tube, any CAI could be used. The ones that are available come with a fitting and a tube to connect to the current '18 CAIs so that they can do just that.

2020

The 2020 Trackhawk hasn't changed much since it came out as a 2018 model. There's a new yellow Trackhawk badge on the liftgate, and a single-pane sunroof is now standard. There are also a few new options, like new 20-inch wheels, a two-tone black-and-gray premium leather interior, and an upgraded exterior lighting package.The red interior was taken out of the 2020 model and replaced with Gray/Black choices. The black wheels, which used to be an option, are now standard, and a titanium (gray) color is an option. 2020 can now get an all-black roof, and they added the Race A/C turbo chiller.

2021

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk marked its completion by keeping the same style and specs as its predecessors.

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Trackhawk Fast Facts

• The Trackhawk's 6.2L Hellcat HEMI V8 engine is shared with the Challenger Hellcat and Charger Hellcat, cementing its place in the pantheon of American muscle.
• In 2018, the Trackhawk boasted a higher top speed than the 2018 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, clocking in at 180 mph.
• Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, it claimed the title of the fastest production SUV in 2018.
• The Trackhawk's can tow up to 7,200 pounds.
• Equipped with a Brembo brake system featuring the largest front brake rotors ever offered on a Jeep, measuring 15.75 inches in diameter.
• Jeep offered a "Trackhawk Launch Control" feature for better drag strip times.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: HellCat at Heart

The Trackhawk's huge 6.2L Hellcat HEMI V8 engine pumped out 707HP. It has a 2.38-liter twin-screw IHI blower that adds 11.6 psi of boost.

The Trackhawk uses a mix of cooling devices to make keep this HEMI cool when burning rubber. There is an engine oil cooler, a high-capacity radiator, and an intercooler water tank. All of these parts work together to keep the car running at its best even in the toughest circumstances.

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Trackhawk Handling & Braking

A high-performance SUV must have great driving, and the Trackhawk does not disappoint. It has Bilstein adaptive dampers in its suspension system, which can be stiffened up to better feel the road on track days. This performance SUV has a Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system with an automatic limited-slip differential.

The Trackhawk's braking system is just as amazing. It has high-performance brakes made by Brembo and the biggest front brake rotors ever made for a Jeep, which are 15.75 inches in diameter. With these big brakes and six-piston pistons, the Trackhawk can stop just as quickly as it can speed up.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk's Legacy

While not the first, The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has made a name for itself in the world of high-performance SUVs. It has proved beyond a doubt that American muscle can fight with and beat the best of Europe.

Related: What Does Dodge SRT Stand For?

Special Edition Trackhawks

Throughout its past, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has had special versions and one-of-a-kind features that set certain model years apart. For example, the 2018 model came with a limited "Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package" that included Laguna leather seats in black or black and dark ruby red. In 2020, a new "Premium Lighting Group" package came out.

As a high-performance car, the Trackhawk has different drive modes based on your needs. These driving modes, which include Auto, Sport, Track, Tow, and Snow, change the settings for the suspension, handling, and engine depending on how you plan to drive.

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Trackhawk Frequently Asked Questions