NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk leaked

Jeep appears to be ready to unveil a new hard-core off-road version of its big Grand Cherokee SUV, if these images first published by Jalopnik are any guide.

It's not clear where the hi-res images came from but they're credited to Fiat Chrysler Automobile, so expect the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk to make its world debut at this week's New York motor show.

It's not the first time Jeep has offered the Grand Cherokee in Trailhawk spec, which should not be confused with the blistering road-focussed Trackhawk version also under development, powered by the same ballistic 527kW/880Nm supercharged V8 that powers Dodge's two top-shelf muscle cars, the Charger SRT Hellcat sedan and Challenger SRT Hellcat coupe.

In Australia, Jeep last sold a Trailhawk version of the Grand Cherokee diesel in 2013, before the flagship SUV's midlife facelift, featuring the brand's Quadra-Lift II 4x4 system with air suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Silent Armour all-terrain tyres.

This time, the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, which would join the "trail-rated" Jeep Cherokee and Renegade Trailhawks already on sale here, is likely to again bring a higher-riding off-road suspension set-up, extra underbody protection and other rugged additions.

As you can see from the images, they should include the same signature red tow hooks that appear on the smaller Trailhawks, plus matt-black bonnet deals, a blacked out grille, new alloys with chunky off-road tyres, exterior and interior Trailhawk badging and red leather stitching.