Does the TRX presage a Jeep Trackhawk Hellcat?

The Ram TRX is the first publicly-shown vehicle that hooks up the Hellcat engine to a four wheel drive system. It dropped down to 575 hp, but that’s a hundred horsepower more than the 6.4 Hemi and even further above the Ford Raptor.


A Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has been rumored since before the Hellcat was even shown to the public. Insiders said that FCA leaders were concerned the engine be too loud or uncouth for the refined Grand Cherokee, and that the cost would be too high.

The supercharged Hemi turned out to be relatively quiet, and easily controllable — surprisingly so, in fact. It might be hard to whip it around corners at speed in the big Jeep, but at least it’ll be possible to drive it gently.

That left durability, and the TRX is our first look at how that’s being handled. Dialed down to 575 horsepower, it seems to be compatible with many factory parts. The differentials are possible issues; so is the full time AWD transfer case. The TRX uses a part-time Borg-Warner 44-45; there is a full-time B-W 44-44, but Jeep already uses the formerly-New-Venture-now-Magna MP3010 on its SRT. Can full time four wheel drive work with 575 horsepower, while still fitting into the Grand Cherokee?

There are still many questions, but sources have told Allpar that there are Grand Cherokee Hellcat mules running around, and that the Hellcat would be detuned for the purpose. Whether they turn out to be “commercial” — practical for commercial sale — is still up in the air. See the Ram 1500 Rebel TRX.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/10/does-the-trx-presage-a-jeep-trackhawk-hellcat-34120