With the SRT treatment that Jeep has meted out on its flagship model the Grand Cherokee, the company has come out with the fastest and most potent production model ever. The acceleration of the car is 4.8 seconds for the 0 to 60 mph or 96 kmph run and it covers the quarter mile in 13 seconds. The treatment as the term goes is mainly concentrated at the engine that purrs under its hood.
The SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology division which is the section responsible in the Chrysler Group to set the SUV with its 6.4 liter HEMI V8 engine that delivers 465 horsepower and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque.
The outgoing model is installed with a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 unit which had a power capability that was 45 hp and 45 lb ft or 61 Nm of torque less than the present SRT8 model. For the new model the peak torque is available between 2,800 and 6,000 rpm. Top speed of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is 155 mph or 250 kmph and it can go from 0 to 100 mph and then back to a standstill in 16 seconds.
The engine also incorporates the Standard Fuel Saver Technology as well as a new active valve exhaust system. This provides for the engine to be capable of running on 4 cylinders alone on a wide rpm range. In turn this gives better mileage which improves by 13 percent on the highway. The engine also caters for extended range of around 450 miles or 724 km on one tank of gas.
For transmission the steering wheel has a standard paddle shifter mounted upon it and an automatic system. 100 percent of the available torque is transferred to the rear wheel in slippery condition thanks to the Quadra-Trac AWD system. There is also the adaptive damping suspension feature as also the five-mode Selec-Track system which helps to tune the dynamics of the car. This gives a complete picture of the SRT8’s on and off road capabilities. Braking ability of the car, as per Jeep is 116 feet or 35.3 meter for a 60 mph speed to halt and the SUV can take 0.90 g on the skid pad.
Looks wise also the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has its share of distinctions. The body has been lowered by 1 inch / 2.5 cm and the wheel arches as well as side sills have been painted the car’s color. There is also a racing-style front bumper that sports LED daytime running lights and a large air intake in the lower part which adds to the looks of the car.
The grille is of the same color as that of the body with black background and chrome inserts. There is also the sculpted hood fitted with dual black heat extractors for added engine cooling. A new spoiler and a new bumper with integrated air diffuser and dual exhaust system are what one would get to note at the rear of the car.
A dedicated heated steering wheel, special SRT instrument panel, Nappa leather and suede upholstery and carbon trim is what the interior of the SRT package consist of. The car would reach showrooms in US at the third quarter of the year while it made its debut at the New York Auto Show.
Source: carscoop
