2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk coming to Australia as $140k+, 527kW super-SUV

AUSTRALIAN buyers have been quick to register their interest in the world’s most powerful production SUV, with Jeep already taking deposits for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

However, Wheels has learned that an initial allocation is arriving in Australia in November and December, with demand already high for a place on the orders list.

The dealer Wheels spoke to informed us that prospective buyers can place a $1K deposit, sample the vehicle when it arrives, and if 874Nm proves a bit too much, they can get their deposit returned. Price? Sources within the dealer network suggest somewhere around $140K, making it extremely strong value compared to rivals like the $153k Audi SQ7 or the $186k BMW X5M.

The first Hellcat-powered model to even enter the discussion for Aussie landfall, given that both the Charger and Challenger bodies sit the driver on the wrong side, the Trackhawk has generated huge interest since its unveiling at the New York International Auto Show in January.

FCA’s CEO Steve Zanlunghi is a big advocate of the super SUV locally, had previously been quoted as saying he’d have “two hands up for it”. When asked about the invitation to register interest in the vehicle on the local website, communications director Glenn Butler admitted that “we’ve had some interest from Australians looking to buy, and we’d rather direct them to our website than send inquiries overseas”.

Powered by a 527kW 6.2-litre supercharged HEMI V8, the Trackhawk makes some impressive numbers, hitting 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and demolishing the quarter mile sprint in 11.6sec at 186km/h. Top speed is limited to a largely academic 290km/h.

The third most powerful vehicle behind the 545kW Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and the 544kW Lamborghini Aventador S has so far generated a real buzz with Aussies who are quick on the draw. This year's allocations are being snapped up fast, with more cars being released for next year. One Jeep dealer we spoke to had secured six orders in the past week alone.

Get in quick, people.