Jeep sets SUV ice speed record

A Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has set a new speed record for SUVs driven on ice at the annual Speed Days of the Baikal Ice Motor Sports Festival 2019 in Russia.

Thanks to power generated by its 710hp 6.2-litre V8 engine, the Jeep reached 174mph – just 6mph short of its top speed on tarmac.

Billed as “the most powerful mass-produced SUV”, all the Jeep’s runs were conducted in line with the regulations of the Russian Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Participation in this event means a serious load on the braking system due to the unique conditions of the Baikal ice. In sunlight, the surface of the lake is covered in a film of water, which reduces grip on the surface.

Even in such conditions, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk demonstrated excellent braking results thanks to the Brembo brake system, which uses large front brakes.

Traction was granted by the Jeep Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system, which includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a single-speed active transfer case, and the Selec-Track system with five dynamic modes – Auto, Sport, Track, Snow and Tow – which allows the driver to choose a vehicle setting that ideally meets any requirement and ambient conditions, including ice driving.