German tuner Manhart Performance has revealed its first-ever upgrade for an American-built vehicle, handing the already powerful Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk even more grunt and some extra kit.

The Trackhawk’s standard 6,2-litre V8 mill, which produces a whopping 522 kW and 875 N.m of torque in standard form, has been modified with the addition of the firm’s "MHtronik" performance software to now send some 606 kW and 985 N.m to all four corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Initiat launch control, and the tuner claims the uprated engine’s power figures are enough to rocket this performance SUV to the three-figure mark from standstill in 3,3 seconds. That's 0,2 seconds quicker than the standard model's claimed time.

Manhart says performance is further enhanced by lowering the Trackhawk-based GC 800's suspension, and adds that the Bilstein dampers fitted to the German-tuned SUV are electronically adjustable. Other mechanical upgrades include an in-house-developed stainless steel exhaust system that is said to enhance the V8 soundtrack.

Dubbed the GC800, the tuned Trackhawk rides on the company's 22-inch “Classic Line" alloys wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Zero All-Season tyres. 

How much will this added performance cost? Unfortunately, the Wuppertal-based tuner has yet to reveal pricing for this power upgrade. In South Arica, however, a standard model will cost you some R2 199 000... 

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Original article from Car