With Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE:FCAU] integrating its SRT performance brand into the Dodge fold last year, there were concerns SRT-badged vehicles from other brands, namely the Chrysler 300 SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, would soon cease to exist.
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
Enlarge Photolast year, there were concerns SRT-badged vehicles from other brands, namely the Chrysler 300 SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, would soon cease to exist. Going forward, it looks like only the 300 SRT will be a casualty of FCA’s restructuring(it's still available overseas, however) as there are plans to keep the Grand Cherokee SRT alive—by rebranding it.
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No, the sporty Jeep isn’t about to become a Dodge. Rather, we’re expecting its SRT badge to be replaced by the new Trackhawk label, a name FCA officials trademarked last year. When might we see the new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk? Most likely later this year when, according to FCA’s five-year strategy for the Jeep brand, the Grand Cherokee is due to receive a major update.
But the story doesn’t end there. Car and Driver is reporting that the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will be available with the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 fitted to the Hellcat versions of the Challenger and Charger SRT muscle cars. The 707-horsepower engine is said to be an alternative to the 475-hp 6.4-liter V-8 currently fitted to the Grand Cherokee SRT.
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But getting the Hellcat engine’s 650 pound-feet of torque to work with the Grand Cherokee’s all-wheel-drive system will likely prove problematic. That’s why we could see the engine’s potency detuned or at least limited in lower gears to help preserve the drivetrain.
Why all the interest in the high-performance Jeep? It’s the most popular model from the SRT fleet and it also serves as a halo for the Jeep brand, both here in the U.S. and elsewhere. This is particularly important for Jeep as it attempts to build its profile in global markets.
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