Do They Make a Durango Track Hawk
If you've been keeping a close eye on Dodge, their recent announcements have unsettled enthusiasts. CEO Tim Kuniskis was pretty open about Mopar moving towards a sustainable future and many of their screaming V8s might not be around for long. The gist of the news points to the Charger/Challenger Hellcats getting some form of electric or hybrid assistance and the possible omission of their Supercharged V8s for 2022 or perhaps 2023.
Following up, the crazy-fast Dodge Durango Hellcat won't be part of the lineup post-June 2021. Dodge intended the Hellcat SUV to have a single-year production run with an estimated delivery of 2000 units. However, the overwhelming response towards the product led to more Durango Hellcats being made and dealers stocking them up.
Our discussion however focusses on a certain Stellantis offering that could capitalize on the discontinued Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. We're talking about the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. With Jeep planning a major update for 2022, the Hellcat-powered all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is just around the corner.
Soldiering on to yet another model year, we reckon with Dodge pulling the plug on the Durango Hellcat, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will get a solid boost in sales.
Why Is The Dodge Durango Hellcat Being Discontinued
It's fairly obvious why Dodge has decided to ax the Durango Hellcat. With emissions burdening every other automaker, performance cars are taking a big hit with increasingly tight regulations. The amount of carbon-di-oxide coming out of a 6.4-liter V8 pumping 700+ horsepower is far greater than your average town car. Nowadays automakers are given a net emissions target, Dodge who especially has multiple offerings that generate well over 700+ horsepower won't be able to meet targets unless they ax one or more models.
Because the Charger and Challenger Hellcats have a cult following, discontinuing the recently introduced Durango Hellcat seems to be the better solution. The Durango SRT Hellcat serves a niche which in times like these doesn't make sense especially considering Dodge has the Hellcat siblings which sell more and are ever-so-slightly better at emissions. That said, the Hellcat V8 is nearing its end and it won't be long before Mopar introduces some form of electric assistance for the Charger and Challenger. For the time being, pulling the plug on the heftier Durango Hellcat seems logical as far as Dodge is concerned.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: How Can It Circumvent Emissions
Although the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk uses the same 6.4-liter supercharged V8, there's a fundamental difference between Dodge and Jeep. The latter is more of a consumer brand as opposed to the former's performance image. To put it in simpler terms, Jeep has a lot more bread and butter offerings than Dodge. This gives Jeep a significant emissions advantage over Dodge. Since Jeep already has plans to introduce more hybrids into their lineup, their net emissions targets can be attained if they sell more of these. Thanks to this the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will have a breather and the brand can continue selling it for another year or two.
That isn't the case for Dodge as they have more performance-centric machines in their lineup as opposed to Jeep. Moreover, they are yet to introduce a hybrid or electric offering in their existing lineup which could mean more pressure to achieve targets. That said, Dodge has plans to introduce a Durango MHEV and they've also agreed with ZF on having an updated transmission with an integrated electric motor.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: You Might Miss The Third-row Seats
Let's take a quick look at the specifications. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk houses a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 that makes 707 horsepower and an insane 645 lb-ft of torque. Drivetrain includes an 8-speed torque converter sending power to all four wheels. Apart from the 20-inch rims and upgraded brakes, everything else is more or less a regular Grand Cherokee. Visually, the Trackhawk has a wider stance thanks to increased wheel track for better stability.
Also, there are no fake vents anywhere. As you move towards the rear, the Trackhawk badge and the diffuser with slashed quad-tipped exhausts are signs that you ought to reconsider your thoughts of racing against this. According to Jeep, the Trackhawk manages to hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph. If you're concerned about the quarter-mile times, then the Trackhawk manages to complete the course in 11.6 seconds.
All this doesn't mean the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is impractical. As standard, you get the usual U-connect 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Also, part of the package is a thumping 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system along with leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. All this with the practicality of an SUV makes the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk one of the easiest cars to get your wife's approval. Although, when compared to the Durango Hellcat, you might miss the third-row of seats.
Sources: Caranddriver, Autoevolution, Carbuzz
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About The Author 
Kiran Menon (263 Articles Published)
A relatively naive bloke in every aspect other than cars. Ever since he was a toddler, cars fascinated him so much that he only ate when there's a magazine beside him. Although comprehension was a bit far-fetched, pictures were the focal point. Fast forward a few years, he graduated with a degree in automobile engineering and now pens down on all things motoring.
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Do They Make a Durango Track Hawk
Source: https://www.hotcars.com/with-dodge-discontinuing-the-durango-hellcat-the-jeep-grand-cherokee-trackhawk-is-taking-over/
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