here comes a whole lot more suv

THE world’s most powerful SUV is now on sale in South Africa and it doesn’t have the exotic Italian badge that you might expect.

This sledgehammer of a sport utility is none other than Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and it’s even more powerful (and quicker-accelerating according to claims) than the Lamborghini Urus, the American monster pushing 522kW and accelerating from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, versus the Lambo’s 478kW and 3.6 second claim.

Although by no means cheap, the Trackhawk is a somewhat more attainable proposition with its list price of R2 199 000, although dynamically it’s not going to be in the same league

as the R3.5m Lambo.

At the heart of the Trackhawk is the same 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that powers the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and other head-turning stats include a torque output of 875Nm, claimed quarter mile time of 11.6 seconds and a 290km/h top speed.

The engine features numerous high-strength components, including a forged-steel crankshaft designed to withstand the equivalent of five familysized sedans standing on each forged-alloy piston, as well as specially-treated alloy cylinder heads and sodium-cooled exhaust valves.

The 2380cc-per-revolution supercharger can operate at a maximum boost of 11.6 psi.

Power goes to all four wheels through an upgraded eight-speed automatic gearbox and QuadraTrac on-demand four-wheel-drive system, featuring an electronic limited-slip diff and single-speed “active” transfer case, meaning it can go fast off the beaten track too.