Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Supercharged 6.2L

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Supercharged 6.2L

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is one of the most wonderfully absurd vehicles ever conceived by a major manufacturer. The premise was straightforward yet ludicrous: take the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine from the Dodge Challenger and Charger, shoehorn it under the hood of a luxury SUV, and add all-wheel drive. The result was a 5,363-pound family hauler that could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, run the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 180 mph. It was faster than a Lamborghini Gallardo.

The engine was the star of the show, and deservedly so. The 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 produced 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, identical to the output in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. The IHI twin-screw supercharger, displacing 2.4 liters, force-fed the iron-block V8 at up to 11.6 psi of boost. But unlike the rear-wheel-drive Challenger, the Trackhawk channeled its enormous output through the Quadra-Trac on-demand all-wheel-drive system, which could send up to 100 percent of torque to either axle depending on conditions. This meant the Trackhawk could actually put its power down, a feat that the tire-shredding Hellcat sometimes struggled with.

The ZF-sourced 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission was a critical component, reinforced with a stronger torque converter and beefed-up internals to handle the supercharged V8's prodigious output. Shift times were remarkably quick for a conventional torque-converter automatic, and the transmission proved impressively reliable despite the enormous forces it was subjected to. Launch control was standard, allowing the driver to achieve consistent, devastating acceleration runs.

Braking performance was equally impressive for a vehicle of this mass. Massive 400mm front rotors clamped by six-piston Brembo calipers brought the Trackhawk to a halt from 60 mph in approximately 114 feet, a remarkable achievement for a vehicle weighing over 5,300 pounds. The Bilstein adaptive dampers could be set to several modes ranging from comfortable highway cruising to aggressive track use, though the idea of tracking a two-and-a-half-ton SUV was itself a testament to the Trackhawk's otherworldly capability.

Inside, the Trackhawk was appointed as a luxury vehicle befitting its substantial price tag. Standard equipment included leather seats with heating, ventilation, and Trackhawk embossing, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with navigation, and all the modern safety and convenience features expected of a premium SUV. The second row was spacious and comfortable, and the cargo area was fully functional. This was a vehicle that could genuinely serve as a daily driver, family transporter, and weekend drag strip weapon.

The Trackhawk also retained legitimate Jeep capability. It could tow up to 7,200 pounds, had Selec-Track modes including Snow, Tow, and Track settings, and even had an off-road-worthy ground clearance. While nobody was taking a $90,000 707-horsepower SUV through the Rubicon Trail, the Trackhawk could handle unpaved roads, winter weather, and boat ramp duties with equal competence.

Production ran from the 2018 through 2021 model years, ending when the WK2 Grand Cherokee platform was replaced by the WL generation. The Trackhawk was never offered on the new platform, making it a one-generation special that is already appreciating in value. Its unique combination of Hellcat power, all-wheel-drive traction, luxury appointments, and SUV practicality made it unlike anything else on the road. For enthusiasts who needed one vehicle to do everything, the Trackhawk was the ultimate Swiss Army knife on wheels.