2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

A 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a perfect mode of transportation for modern Los Angeles. After sliding behind the Grand Cherokee SRT8’s thick, flat-bottomed steering wheel atop a parking garage at a Hollywood studio on a gray overcast day, we exited onto Sunset Boulevard en route to one of the best driving roads Southern California has to offer – the Angeles Crest Highway.

It is instantly apparent that Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology team has given the Jeep Grand Cherokee a thorough massage. A 6.4-liter Hemi V8, an adaptive damping suspension system with a lower ride height, a Select-Track dynamic driving system, performance steering, Brembo brakes, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels shod with available 295/45ZR20 Pirelli P Zero summer tires have utterly transformed the Grand Cherokee from a back woods trail runner to a back roads barnstormer. Under the Grand Cherokee SRT8’s scalloped hood, which contains functional dual heat extractors for added engine cooling, SRT new 6.4-liter Hemi makes 470 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm, rumbling through dual four-inch exhaust outlets. That’s 50 more ponies and 45 more lb-ft of twist than the old 6.1-liter Hemi in the previous Grand Cherokee SRT8. Notably, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, a big increase over the previous model, which was rated to tow, uh, nothing.

To achieve these numbers, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is fitted with an SRT-tuned adaptive damping suspension system and a Select-Track system that calibrates the suspension, transmission shift mapping, transfer case torque distribution, electronic rear limited slip differential, and stability control to one of five self-explanatory driver-selected settings: Auto, Sport, Track, Tow, and Snow. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is also outfitted with red-painted, Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers clamping down on 15-inch vented front and 13.78-inch rear disc brakes.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 interior photo courtesy of Chrysler Group LLC

Trouble is, Sunset Boulevard is a lousy place to test any of the Grand Cherokee SRT8’s features except the brakes, the steering, the adaptive damping suspension, and, of course, the Forward Collision Warning system. For now, we’re impressed with this new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Chrysler’s Jeep division today unveiled the second generation Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 at the New York International Auto Show, heralding a new era of high performance SUVs.

Offering 465 horsepower and 465 lb-ft. of torque, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is by far the most powerful Jeep ever offered. Combined with a large gas tank, Jeep says the Grand Cherokee SRT8 should be capable of a 450 mile range.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 gains steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to control the five-speed automatic transmission.

Updated power steering and Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes help the Grand Cherokee maintain control. SRT’s Performance Pages trip computer functions remain, meaning the Grand Cherokee SRT8 can display performance figures like 0-60 time, 60-0 distance, g-forces and one eighth and quarter mile times.

This marks the second time a Jeep has received the SRT treatment.

Platform: Like the standard Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 will use a version of the platform underpinning the Mercedes M-class SUV. Competition: BMW X5 M, Maserati’s Ferrari-engine SUV, Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.

Estimated arrival and price: The Grand Cherokee SRT8 will go on sale this summer, and pricing should start at about $46,000.