We have barely tested the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee and already the Americans have had a gander at the powerful SRT8 version.
Not only is the current Shanghai Motor Show in full swing, but in the Big Apple several new cars are also being unveiled at the New York Auto Show. It is only fitting that Jeep choose one of the bigger motor shows in the USA to launch in most powerful Jeep to date.
Performance SUV
It is quite clear that this is the performance flagship of the Jeep range. Not only are there more air intakes, LED lights, more chrome and shiny bits, but the wheels, side sills and wheelarches all have a more sporty look.
Behind the seven-slat grille is an all-new 6,4-litre V8 that produces 347 kW/630 N.m and replaces the previous 6,1-litre V8. According to Jeep this sports SUV consumes 13 per cent less fuel compared with the previous SRT8. This is partly due to a refinement of Chrysler’s cylinder-deactivating system. With the help of this fuel-saving technology, it can apparently travell 700 km on a single tank of fuel.
Clever stuff, but the SRT8 is about performance, which includes a 0-96 km/h acceleration time of 4,8 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
Settings
The SRT8 will offer five different driving settings. These include Auto, Sport, Tow, Track and Snow. These settings will change a host of electronic and mechanical settings on the car that include the adaptive damping system, stability control system, transmission shift strategy, transfer case torque proportioning, electronic limited slip differential performance, throttle control and finally cylinder de-activation.
There will be an extended list of standard equipment, with an optional Harmann Kardon 19-speaker audio surround system.
Expect the SRT8, if we are lucky, before the end of the year in South Africa.
