2018 Jeep Trackhawk

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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Hi all,

Well, the wait has been long already and still another 10-12 weeks to go.

I placed my deposit for the Jeep Trackhawk back in the beginning of August when the order books officially opened. I've been in Australia for 8 years this year and my car history has been dismal to say the least with highlights being the iconic Nissan Tiida and the Aussie legend Commodore SV6 wagon.

I moved from Dubai in 2010 and left behind a WK1 SRT8 Jeep, Clio 182 and an RS4. Things have been tough in Australia but the last 18-24 months have seen things improve and I'm finally in a position to start my passion back up.

When they announced the Trackhawk, I knew I had to get one. It just makes perfect sense as the family car and a ridiculously fun everyday ride. 707 BHP in an SUV....I love it!

I've gone for Ivory White with the Laguna leather interior ($9,000!!!) and the lightweight forged wheels. The panoramic roof and upgraded sound system is at least standard. This is on top of a fully loaded truck that sees heated/cooled seats, adaptive cruise, blindspot, 4 zone climate control etc.

I believe it goes into production towards the end of February and wanted to share the journey as none of friends here are car guys, at all. Looking forward to getting this going.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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It's going to make some sound that thing!

Excellent. biggrin

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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Thanks guys, seriously cannot wait!

I'm badgering the dealer to pass me a VON/VIN number so I can track it through its build process right from framing through to shipping which is a cool feature to be able to track.

Not sure how firm end of February is looking for the build but fingers crossed. I've got a few things planned as soon as it hits the shores including a new exhaust to really liven it up, new wheels and probably a set of lowering Mopar springs. It'll look classy, promise!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 15th February 2018
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Not sure of the UK release date.

I've been told my TH should be in the first batch received for QLD so that's a positive and that I should expect my letter from FCA confirming my VIN shortly. Hopefully the end of Feb production is looking good.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Wednesday 7th March 2018
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Well, it was supposed to be in build this week but it's been pushed back another 8 weeks or so. Extremely disappointing and the FCA's response is dampening my enthusiasm for it. However, no doubt as soon as I mash the pedal all will be forgotten.

Apparently they've had several issues with it fitting in RHD configuration, not sure how true that is but that's what I'm hearing.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 9th April 2018
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I've made it to D1 status which is good progress. Hopefully should be built within the next 10-14 days from here.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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It's alive and built!

Flipfloptrader (WK2 Trackhawk - Australia)
Date ordered: N/A
Current Status: KZ
D1 status date: 04/05/2018
Estimated delivery: 05/22/2018 - 05/26/2018
Built pending inspection: 04/20/18 06:42:00 AM
Production Status KZ Received 04/20/18 01:30:00 AM
Ingate / Rebay at Facility 04/20/18 07:40:00 AM DETROIT, MI PLANT
Truck Pick-Up / Yard Exit 04/20/18 01:09:00 PM DETROIT, MI PLANT
Ingate / Rebay at Facility 04/20/18 10:47:00 PM VDC NEW BOSTON, MI

It's currently at the port ready to board the ship to bring it to Australia, they're estimating 22-26th May arrival and then probably a week to 10 days to get it to the dealership.

I can never put into words what it means to finally get this car/truck, the tears, the highs and the devastating lows that trading can provide is like no other profession I've done. It may only be a Jeep but it represents an awful lot more than that and cannot wait to smash the pedal and hear it roar.

A question regarding wheels....which do you think looks better? I originally was all over the bronze but maybe the black suits it better? Mine isn't the same white as the pictures, it's more of a Pearl white. Also note these are both SRT Jeeps, the Trackhawk has yellow 6 pot calipers and much bigger dics that'll fill the wheel.





anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 23rd April 2018
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Glad to see my initial pick has come through!

I'll order them and have them on before delivery along with the Mopar lowering springs to complete the look.

Some good aftermarket stuff slowly hitting the market too. A tuning company in the U.S has made a 9 sec pass on stock tires, that is very impressive.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Tuesday 1st May 2018
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It's now at the dock ready for loading. Going to be a long 4-6 weeks tracking it.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 1st May 13:53

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2018
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Getting pretty close now! It left Baltimore port on the 18th and is currently going around the Dominican Republic making its way to the Panama Canal.

Estimated to arrive in Brisbane on the 16th June and roughly 7-14 days to clear customs and compliance.

Time to start ordering some parts!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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krisdelta said:
First week in July then? Awesome!
All being well, that's the plan. I'm off to the States for 10 days for a friend's 40th to play Pebble Beach on the 16th July so hopefully I can at least drive it a week before leaving.

Tyres are 305/35/22! Going to be absolutely huge.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
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The car is approx 10 days out from reaching Brisbane, getting closer!

I've ordered my wheels. I ended up going for a slightly different option and a hideously expensive one at that! I've ordered some forged wheels and combined with non run flat tyres, I should be saving around 5kg of unsprung weight per corner, whilst not really a huge deal, it's nice to save a little weight in a very heavy beast.

I've gone for a satin bronze finish but this wheel: They are build to order so should arrive first week of July.



I've also ordered a CAI from a company that runs the fastest Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler in the USA, safe to say they know their stuff. It certainly increases the supercharger whine.

Australia is a superb place to live but owning a performance vehicle is a pain in the bum if you wish to modify. Extremely limited for choice and what choice you do have is at stupidly inflated prices. There are quite a few tuning companies getting Trackhawk's into the 10 second 1/4 mile and would love to have a dabble. A simple tune, upgraded pulley and t-stat is showing massive gains and putting down 0-60 in 2.7-2.9 seconds and high 10 1/4 miles.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 7th June 2018
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Gameface said:
If those times are genuine, that's mental.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFx0pPFbUEg

That's a $4,000 package consisting of a 2.85 upper pulley, CAI, injectors and a tune.

Unreal! Hopefully I can find a decent local tuner and get the package from the States and get it installed locally.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 2nd July 2018
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Got to view my new TH today, absolutely made up. However, it was like being told you can make love to a beautiful women in 4 weeks time. I'm off on a trip to the States next week and will have to collect when I'm back.

The upside being I can have my wheels and springs fitted in the meantime and also the LMI intake when it arrives in 2 weeks.

I had a thorough look round to check for any panel gaps or misalignment and everything appeared spot on. The detailing was extremely average but as I'm going to get XPEL PPF I'm not too bothered by that.

I love the alcantara/suede rooflining, a nice touch.







Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 4th July 02:09

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 2nd July 2018
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krisdelta said:
Looks fabulous! Don't forget a vid of the noise when you get to enjoy it.
Will do! It has a handy remote start so I can do a cold start and get it from the outside. I'll take the GoPro out and get some drive by shots, too.


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 5th July 2018
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I have got to stop ordering things for a car that I don't have yet!

Ordered the GT Haus exhaust that sounds absolutely ridiculous with the valves open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRhNDpwCtGE

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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Haha, I've just got back from a bucket list trip to Pebble Beach playing golf. What a fantastic place.

Delivery is Saturday morning, doing backflips!

The wheel situation has gone beyond silly. I ordered them at the end of May with a promised 5 week production schedule and a week shipping. Well, they still aren't finished after 8 weeks and they are apparently being shipped on Friday. I was extremely hopeful of having them on prior to delivery but I'll take delivery of the car as is and get the wheels fitted along with the suspension and intake at the end of next week.

All being well, the exhaust should arrive in 7-10 days. I've also booked the car in for a full XPEL ppf on the 13th August.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 28th July 2018
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Wow! The Trackhawk is absolutely savage. I collected the car around midday and had the family with me so we went and did a few weekend chores and just general everyday town driving. The consultant said to not baby it and don't be shy with it so I took him literally and haven't been afraid to give it a good poke in gear.

I had the drivers window down and honestly there is so much going on, it's hard to focus on one thing. There's the noise with the bark of the exhaust as it shifts gear, the supercharger whine as you build boost and the sheer volume of all 3 combined makes for an aural treat. Then you have the speed, and lots of it. Rolling around 20-30 mph and a stab of the throttle for 2-3 seconds sees you edging very close to triple figures and it was quite a shock as to how quickly it builds.

Some other initial thoughts; the leather interior is actually very nice and makes for a pleasant place to be, the consultant tried to tell me it's the same hide as used by Bentley but I'm calling BS on that one. The reversing camera looks like it's from 2005 with quite a grainy image, and no surround view. The A pillar combined with big side mirrors makes it quite difficult to place the car going round right hand corners as the front end is obscured and will take a while to get used to the size/dimensions of it.

Fuel consumption is as hilarious as expected. I left the dealership with a full tank and an expected range of 350km (95L tank). After 40km I'd used a 1/4 of a tank and my range is now down to 269km.

I've removed the Jeep badge from the front and will remove the rather large Grand Cherokee badges in the morning. Undecided if I keep the HEMI 6.2 on the side fender.

The new wheels have finally left the States and are due to be fitted on Thursday.

I'm off to Mopar Sunday tomorrow, looking forward to stretching its legs.






anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 28th July 2018
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Simply magnificent

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Sunday 29th July 2018
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James_B said:
What’s with the number plate? Wrong colours and what’s “A forex” for, do you work in a bank?
Hello James, why is it the wrong colours, exactly? And no I do not work in a bank.