NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Jeep reveals world's quickest SUV. But is it?

Hold on to your hats, because Jeep has revealed what it claims will be the world's quickest and most powerful production SUV: the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Emerging days ahead of its expected debut at the New York motor show next week, the wildest Grand Cherokee ever has long been known to be powered by the same supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that powers Dodge's Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat muscle cars.

Until now, however, it hasn't been known just how quick Jeep's first Trackhawk model will be, or whether it will be sold in Australia.

We still don't know the answer to the latter, because a local business case is yet to be signed off, although Jeep Australia is pushing heaven and earth to import what would be its most powerful model ever, potentially from early next year.

If it succeeds, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will cost more than $100,000, given the 344kW 6.4-litre SRT -- the performance leader of the facelifted Grand Cherokee on sale from this month, costs $91,000.

What we do now know though is that the Trackhawk's official specification list makes for eye-opening reading.

First of all the full-size Jeep is confirmed to get the full-fat 527kW/874Nm outputs of Dodge's Hellcat twins, which itself makes it Australia's third most powerful model after supercars like the $800,000 Lamborghini Aventador S (544kW) and $690,000 Ferrari F12 (545kW).

More important for some, Jeep says it will be the world's quickest SUV, with a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of only 11.6 seconds (at 186km/h).

Of course, that makes it quicker than mega-SUVs like Porsche's 419kW/800Nm Cayenne Turbo S -- which costs at least $287,000 and is claimed to hit 100km/h in 4.1 seconds -- as well as one of a handful of production cars to post a sub-12sec standing quarter.

But Tesla may disagree with Jeep's "quickest SUV ever" claim, since its top-shelf Model X P100D -- which costs about $240,000 plus on-road costs without the fabled 'Ludicrous Mode' and delivers 447kW and 1047Nm of all-electric performance – is claimed to 100km/h half a second sooner in 3.1 seconds.

Either way, the Jeep is faster, with a claimed top speed of 290km/h (200mph), compared to the Tesla's governed 250km/h.

Beefed up

To cope with the significant performance increase there's an upgraded powertrain including a modified TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission "engineered to handle additional torque output".

Jeep's Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system, which includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a single-speed active transfer case, scores a new, full-time active transfer case with forged steel chain sprockets and a wider chain.

There's also a stronger rear driveshaft connected to a stronger rear axle and diff with revised housing, revised ring-and-pinion tooth geometry, new four-point axle mounting and new ultra-high-strength low-alloy vacuum melted steel half-shafts with upgraded eight-ball outboard constant velocity joints.

Jeep says a new Torque Reserve system improves engine torque response and quicker vehicle acceleration in Launch Control by pre-positioning the supercharger bypass valve to generate boost and minimise manifold filling time.

The Trackhawk, which will come with a 3272kg tow capacity in the US, comes with a host of chassis additions over the Grand Cherokee SRT too.

Chief among them are the largest ever front brakes on a production Jeep. Claimed to deliver 100-0km/h braking in 36 metres are 400mm two-piece vented rotors with yellow six-piston callipers up front, and 350mm vented rotors with four-piston yellow callipers at the rear. The Brembo system is matched with recalibrated anti-lock braking, electronic stability control and traction systems.

Jeep is claiming "world-class on-road driving dynamics" and the ability to generate 0.88g on a skid pad, thanks to a five-mode Selec-Track system, Bilstein adaptive damping and 20x10-inch wheels with the (US-market) choice of Pirelli 295/45ZR20 Scorpion Verde All-Season or new Pirelli P Zero three-season tyres with increased speed rating.

Inside, there's a 7.0-inch instrument cluster with central tacho and 320km/h speedo, 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen with Trackhawk Performance Pages that adds an instantaneous power and torque output display.

Standard equipment extends to a new Premium Metal Package and Signature Leather Interior Package including Nappa leather and suede seat trim in black or black/red with an embroidered Trackhawk logo.

Other new standard extras include Active Noise Cancellation, premium headlining, leather-stitched instrument panel, doors, centre console and armrest, and Berber floormats with Trackhawk badge.

Ruby Red seatbelts and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof are available options, as is an 825-Watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

External design for the Trackhawk, which will be built in Detroit and released in the US in the fourth quarter of this year, include a more aggressive front bumper with extra airflow instead of fog lights and a gloss-black rear valance to emphasise a unique four-inch black-chrome quad exhaust outlet.

There are also body-coloured wheel-arches and side sills, a sculpted bonnet with dual heat extractors and a signature seven-slot grille flanked by adaptive bi-xenon headlights with LED character lighting and unique gloss-black background.

'Supercharged' badges on the front doors and a rear 'Trackhawk' round out the exterior changes.

Riding on the same 25mm-lower suspension height as the SRT, the Trackhawk will be produced in nine exterior paint colours: Billet Silver, Granite Crystal, Diamond Black, Ivory Tri-coat, Bright White, Velvet Red, Rhino, Redline and True Blue.

“Long recognised as the full-size SUV capability leader, Jeep Grand Cherokee is now the most powerful and quickest SUV as well, with the introduction of our new 527kW Trackhawk,” said Jeep's global chief Mike Manley.

“The new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk delivers astounding performance numbers, backed by renowned SRT engineering that combines world-class on-road driving dynamics with luxury, refinement and an array of innovative advanced technology.”

Built in Detroit at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, the new Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will arrive in USA showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2017.

We can’t wait to hear the greenies scream…