Although Jeep made waves with the announcement of two new trim packages for the 2017 Grand Cherokee at the New York Auto Show today, only one of those two models was sitting under a tarp in Moab, Utah, for the 50th Easter Jeep Safari.

It was a few years ago that Jeep brought out a Trailhawk version of its redesigned 2012 Grand Cherokee to Easter Jeep Safari, and shortly thereafter a limited number of the units were made available to consumers. Along with a super-deluxe Summit package, today Jeep unveiled a new 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk package. Being that this will be the most trail-capable Grand available, Jeep brought it out to EJS to unveil it for the off-road enthusiasts and media in attendance. Both the Trailhawk and the Summit will be available at dealerships later this summer as 2017 models.

So what separates the Trailhawk from a standard Grand Cherokee? The Trailhawk comes standard with the Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system on all powertrains, which means the rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD) will be included equipment on the Pentastar V6 and not just the 3.0L EcoDiesel or SRT HEMI engines. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk’s Quadra-Lift air suspension is unique as well, offering additional travel and articulation thanks to the reduction in size of the bumpstops. When all is said and done, the Trailhawk offers up to 10.8 inches of ground clearance.

Jeep also wisely included optional rock rails (though we wish they were standard) to protect the Trailhawk’s sensitive-to-trail-damage rocker panels. The same grille debuted on the 2016 Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary edition is found on this 2017 Trailhawk, and like the Renegade and Cherokee Trailhawk models, the Grand Cherokee also gets signature red tow hooks. More aggressive 18-inch Goodyear Adventure tires with Kevlar reinforcement come standard, though optional 20-inch tires are available.

The interior of the Trailhawk is accented with unique black interior with leather and suede performance seats that feature red accent stitching on the seats, doors and console. Other Trailhawk badging can be found with the red Trailhawk lettering on the seats along with a Trailhawk badge on the steering wheel. The standard 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen will be updated to feature unique off-road pages that show wheel articulation and settings such as suspension height or Selec-Terrain modes.

Jeep says the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will make its way into dealerships later this summer, and it will be available in Redline Red, Billet Silver, Bright White, Rhino, Granite Crystal, Velvet Red and Diamond Black Crystal exterior paints. Pricing is not yet available for the Summit or the Trialhawk, but we expect to have that from Jeep closer to its release date.

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