The world’s most powerful SUV is in need of some anger management, writes Denis Droppa
The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is 522kW of mean-tempered SUV. Picture: DENIS DROPPAAs you walk up to the vehicle the black 20-inch mag wheels, yellow Brembo brake calipers, and pumped-out wheel flares signal an unmistakably robust intent, as do the dual heat extractors in its sculpted hood .
This American car employs the time-honoured ain’t-no-replacement-for-displacement rule with its 6.2l of cubic capacity, but straps on a supercharger for good measure. What is all such power for if not to set records? The Trackhawk blazed a hot trail on Russian ice when it set the record for world’s fastest SUV on ice at the Baikal Ice Motor Sports Festival in Russia earlier this year. It set an average speed of 257km/h over the 1km course, briefly touching 280km/h.
Things become distinctly more livid in its Sport and Track modes as the big, brash SUV shoots towards the horizon like a pack of Springbok forwards.This Jeep is as much about the sound as the speed. Rev up that big V8 and it roars like an angry T-Rex, overlaid by a hissing supercharger as a seething chorus line. It’s a rowdy sound that conjures scenes of window shutters closing and children being ushered off streets as it rides into town.
The ride is predictably firm but without being uncomfortably spine-jarring, and the grip is impressive too. Thanks to the all-wheel drive and limited-slip diff, assisted by traction control, this isn’t a vehicle you have to carefully pussyfoot about. You can experience the visceral joy of booting the throttle without smoking those 295mm Pirelli Scorpio Verde all-season tyres.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lerato Kganyago slams ‘black women’ who have been bullying Rachel KolisiThe social media streets have been weighing in on Rachel's role in Siya's success.
Read more »
'I feel like I'm here for an ambush,' Manyi tells state capture commissionFormer government communications boss Mzwanele Manyi claimed on Wednesday that the state capture inquiry was attempting to 'ambush' him.
Read more »
Steve Hofmeyr defends 'negative' Springboks tweet: I won’t fall for political opportunismWhile the win sent most of the country in party mode, others slammed the team for not being a true reflection of SA's demographics.
Read more »
Springboks prepare for delirious crowds at street parades around SAFrom Thursday to Monday, open-top bus tours will take the World Cup winners through Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town
Read more »
After Tears: Are we going too far with parties at funerals?AfterTears To celebrate they threw a huge bash for Pinky that shut down the whole street.
Read more »
Zimbabwe public workers to press ahead with pay protestZimbabwe state workers will go ahead with Wednesday's street protest after the government failed to give in to their demand.
Read more »