2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk revealed ahead of New York

Jeep has unveiled its brutally powerful 527kW Grand Cherokee Trackhawk ahead of its global debut at the New York motor show this week, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' local boss saying he's gunning to see it land in Australia.

Armed with a monstrous 527kW/881Nm 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 lifted from the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcats, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is easily most powerful Jeep yet. With 3.5s 0-96km/h and 11.6s quarter mile claims, Jeep is also describing the Trackhawk as the most powerful and quickest SUV ever. Tesla will no doubt have a thing or two to say about these claims though, with the top-spec Model X P100D SUV already touting 568kW/930Nm and a 0-100km/h claim of 3.1s.  

Either way, if the Trackhawk comes to Australia it would be the among the most powerful production vehicles on the road – up there with the 552kW Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce and 574kw Ferrari F12 TdF supercars.

Speaking at the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV launch in February Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia CEO Steve Zanlunghi said he would be keen to see the Trackhawk hit Aussie roads.

"If it did come out we'd have two hands up for it," he said.

According to Jeep the Trackhawk is equipped with upgraded TorqueFlite eight speed automatic and driveline components engineered to withstand the colossal torque. The largest-ever front brakes to be fitted to a Jeep (400mm six piston calipers) will help pull up the beast.

The Trackhawk has a tough exterior with pumped up wheel arches, sculptured bonnet, quad exhaust and sits 25mm lower than the regular Grand Cherokee.

The most powerful and hardcore Grand Cherokee currently available in Australia is the SRT with its 344kW/624Nm 6.4-litre V8 petrol.

Would you like to see the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk come Down Under? Let us know in the comments below.