Trackhawk to prove Jeep’s on-road potency
Jeep’s European boss says the decision to bring the 697bhp Grand Cherokee Trackhawk to the region was made to highlight the brand’s on-road performance credentials.
The range-topping version of the SUV features a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 Mopar Hellcat engine, which has previously only been used in the Dodge Charger and Challenger. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will be offered in right-hand drive and is due to go on sale next May.
Dante Zilli told Autocar that while the firm expects the Trackhawk to be a “niche proposition”, Jeep predicted that there was enough of a market to make it worthwhile as a flagship product.
“We’re confident enough people in Europe want an SUV that’s damn quick and thrilling, and we think UK customers in particular will like it,” Zilli said.
“It’s not a volume equation for us: an important part of the Jeep brand’s DNA is performance and capability. While we’re more known for off-road performance, we want to show we have on-road performance capability too.”
Alongside the Trackhawk, Jeep will also launch the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk in the UK next year. That model, which will be offered in the UK with a diesel engine, features four-wheel drive, adjustable air suspension and an electronic rear limited-slip differential to give it extra off-road capability. As with the Trackhawk, it also features an upgraded interior.