The legendary Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk—the high-performance SUV that once delivered 707 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8—is expected to make a return. Industry reports point to a 2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk that could bring Hellcat-level power back as Stellantis revives its high-output V8 performance models.
This would be the first true performance halo for the current WL-generation Grand Cherokee, which currently offers a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 293 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane four-cylinder rated at 324 horsepower. A Trackhawk version would more than double those figures and restore Jeep’s presence among the most powerful SUVs available.
Why a Trackhawk Revival Makes Sense Now
Stellantis has adjusted its strategy after years of heavier emphasis on electrification. Changes in U.S. fuel-economy regulations have eased previous constraints on high-output gasoline engines. Strong demand from enthusiasts for the return of Hellcat and SRT models has also played a role.
The recently revealed Ram 1500 Rumble Bee already features a revised supercharged Hellcat V8 producing up to 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque in its highest SRT form. Reports indicate the Grand Cherokee is positioned to receive a similar powertrain treatment. Broader plans include additional SRT variants across Jeep, Dodge, and Ram, including potential high-performance versions of the Grand Wagoneer and the upcoming Wrangler Scrambler.
Earlier signals, including references in corporate presentations and reports of pilot-build activity, have further fueled expectations that a performance Grand Cherokee is in development.
Expected Powertrain and Performance
The core of the new Trackhawk is expected to be a revised supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8. Output is projected in the 710–777 horsepower range, with torque likely between 645 and 680 lb-ft, depending on final calibration.
For reference:
- Original Trackhawk (2018–2021): 707 hp and 645 lb-ft
- Recent Durango SRT Hellcat: around 710 hp
- Top Rumble Bee SRT: 777 hp and 680 lb-ft
Because the WL platform has never carried a supercharged V8, significant engineering updates would be required. These include enhanced cooling systems, upgraded suspension and brakes, a reinforced drivetrain, and likely adaptive dampers or air suspension tuned for high-speed stability and control. Such work could also support future performance versions of related models.
Performance targets would aim to match or improve on the original Trackhawk’s roughly 3.5-second 0-60 mph capability while retaining everyday usability, passenger space, and towing capacity. All-wheel drive paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is expected to remain standard.
Pricing, Timeline, and Positioning
Estimates place the starting price near $90,000. This would position the Trackhawk as a more accessible alternative to European high-performance SUVs from Mercedes-AMG and BMW M, which frequently start well above that figure. The previous-generation Trackhawk began in the mid-$80,000s and could approach $100,000 with options.
Sales are projected to begin in fall 2027 as a 2028 model-year vehicle. It would function primarily as a low-volume halo model designed to generate excitement and reinforce Jeep’s performance credentials rather than drive high volume.
Alternative Powertrain Developments
While attention centers on a Hellcat V8 Trackhawk, Stellantis has also demonstrated a prototype Grand Cherokee fitted with a high-output twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six and an electric compressor system aimed at eliminating turbo lag. That concept has been shown producing roughly 640 horsepower. It remains possible that a standard SRT model uses the Hurricane while a flagship Trackhawk retains the supercharged V8, or that final powertrain decisions continue to evolve.
India Market Perspective
In India, the standard Grand Cherokee is available through official channels. A 700-plus-horsepower Trackhawk would almost certainly arrive only through grey-market CBU imports or special orders. High import duties, state-level registration requirements, and limited specialized service support would make ownership exclusive and costly. Enthusiasts interested in American performance SUVs would likely monitor specialist importers once production begins.
What Comes Next
Key developments to watch include official confirmation, spy photos of prototype vehicles showing enlarged cooling openings or unique aero elements, and clarity on final horsepower and torque figures. If production proceeds as expected, the 2028 Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk would revive one of the most extreme and entertaining performance SUVs of the past decade—pairing practical five-passenger packaging with genuine high-performance acceleration.
The original Trackhawk proved Jeep could build a vehicle that was simultaneously a capable family SUV and a straight-line missile. The next generation appears poised to deliver the same formula, this time supported by Stellantis’ renewed commitment to high-output V8 performance.
