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A.J. Mueller
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
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A.J. Mueller
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
The Trailhawk in Grand Cherokee form uses 18-in wheels; we’d like to see that downsized to 17-in.
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Jim Frenak - FPI Studios
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
The interior receives some Trailhawk trim as well as additional off-road page screens for the dash.
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Jim Frenak - FPI Studios
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
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A.J. Mueller
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
As with all Trailhawks, the hood gets the matte black treatment.
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A.J. Mueller
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
An additional inch of clearance is added to the Trailhawk's air suspension.
By Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Jeep
Top Hawk - Jeep’ s Grand Cherokee getting the Trailhawk treatment
The Rubicon, as we all know, is the top gun when it comes to off-road focused Jeeps, well, off-road focused anything. Below the Rubi, the Cherokee and Renegade have benefitted with what Jeep call the Trailhawk trim line that turns both rather civil crossover vehicles into rather competent all-terrain transporters. However, the Jeep line seems to be missing something… other than a diesel pickup truck version of the Wrangler… cough cough… hint hint Jeep… and it’s an off-road focused trim package of the Grand Cherokee.
We are happy to report that Jeep has also noticed this rather obvious omission and have rectified the situation with the suitably named Grand Cherokee Trailhawk trim for the 2017 model year. Which is odd considering it was the Grand Cherokee that started the whole Trailhawk name, first as a Mopar concept at the Easter Jeep Safari in 2012, then as a limited production special edition in 2013 only offered to our cousins south of the border.
Grand Cherokee’s with the Trailhawk package will offer customers Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system with a rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD) with a crawl ratio of 44.1:1 for all powertrains. A unique version of Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Lift air suspension that has been developed for the Trailhawk trim offers improved articulation and total suspension travel, giving the Trailhawk up to 274 mm (10.8-in) of ground clearance. This increases the approach angles to 29.8-degrees with the front spoiler attached, or 36.1-degrees when the lower front fascia is removed. The breakover angle is improved to 27.1-degrees and the departure angle is 22.8-degrees.
Other off-road goodies include Jeep’s Selec-Speed Control with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. Skid plates, and a Trailhawk-specific anti-glare hood decal are also standard.
The Trailhawk’s exterior features the same front fascia found on Jeep’s 2016 Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary edition, along with trim details that include Trailhawk and Trail Rated badges with red accents, mirror caps and a roof rack with Neutral Grey accents, and optional Mopar rock rails for added protection. Of course those “Trailhawk -signature red tow hooks ” that Jeep boast about with so much zeal also come as standard. One thing we don't appreciate is the standard 18-in Goodyear Adventure off-road tires. Off-road tires are a good thing, but putting them on 18-in rims and an optional 20-in is another. We’d like to see a little less metal and a little more meat when it comes to the four contact patches.
Thankfully, the Trailhawk will have all three engine choices on the menu. You’ll be able to run incognito with the 295 hp 3.6L Pentastar V-6, have a bark as powerful as your bite with the 360 5.7L HEMI V-8 or slip smoothly and economically across the landscape with a 240 hp 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6.
Inside, Trailhawk models feature a unique black interior with leather and suede performance seats, brushed Piano Black appliques, gun-metal finish on all painted interior parts, a Trailhawk badge on the steering wheel, and red accent stitching on the seats, doors and console. A standard 8.4-in Uconnect touchscreen includes updated off-road pages showing wheel articulation and other vehicle 4x4 capability features, such as suspension height and Selec-Terrain modes.
Expect the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Summit models to arrive in Jeep showrooms in late summer.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- MSRP: TBA
- Engine: 5.7L V-8, 3.0L Turbo Diesel V-6, 3.6L V-6
- Power: 290 hp, 260 lb-ft (Pentastar), 240 hp, 420 lb-ft (EcoDiesel), 360 hp, 390 lb-ft (HEMI)
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Curb Weight: 2,450 kg (5,401lb)
- Wheelbase: 3,569 mm (140.5-in)
- Ground Clearance: 262 mm (10.3-in)
- Approach Angle: 36.1°
- Departure Angle: 22.8°
- Ramp Breakover Angle: 27.1°
- Wading Depth: (30-in)
- Tow Capacity: 3,248 kg (7,160-lb)
- Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): 8.4L Highway, 11.2L City (EcoDiesel), 9.5L Highway, 12.8L City (Pentastar), 10.7L Highway, 16.7L City (HEMI)