- The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 New York Auto Show, filling a gap in Chrysler's SRT lineup. There was no 2011 Grand Cherokee SRT8.
- It is being described by the automaker as "the most powerful Jeep vehicle ever" and comes equipped with a new 465-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine.
- Pricing will be announced closer to launch in the third quarter of 2011.
NEW YORK — Clearly recommitting to its performance-oriented SRT8 lineup, Chrysler on Wednesday took the wraps off the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, calling it the "most powerful Jeep vehicle ever." It debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show and will go on sale in the third quarter of 2011.
There was no 2011 Grand Cherokee SRT8.
Pricing was not announced. "All we can say about pricing is that we'll announce it closer to the summer launch time frame," said Dan Reid, Chrysler spokesman, in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is equipped with a new 465-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2010 Grand Cherokee SRT8 was equipped with a 420-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler said the new Grand Cherokee SRT8 sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.
Chrysler did not provide fuel economy estimates on the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 but said in a statement that "a new active valve exhaust system allows standard Fuel Saver Technology to engage over a wider rpm range for an estimated 13 percent improvement in highway fuel efficiency." The EPA has yet to rate the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8. The 2010 Grand Cherokee SRT8 returned 12 mpg in city driving and 16 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
Highlights for the new model are a new SRT-tuned adaptive damping suspension, standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, Brembo brakes with four-wheel antilock brake system, and new split five-spoke 20-inch forged aluminum wheels.
The exterior of the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is lowered one inch versus the standard model. It gets body-color wheel flares, side sill cladding and a dual-sport exhaust system with 4-inch exhaust tips.
The cabin gets a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel, carbon-fiber accents, leather-and-suede seats and an optional sunroof.
Chrysler throws in one day of professional driving instruction from the Richard Petty School when you purchase one.
Inside Line says: Too bad Chrysler couldn't up the ante on the transmission, instead of using old technology on an otherwise stellar package. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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mackey7m says:
02:51 PM, 06/24/2011
This car is the sh*t!!!!
vjiperron says:
03:01 PM, 05/03/2011
The grand cherokee is the best kept secrect in the world, I've owned 2 loaded ones in the last 10 years. My wife and I went and looked at almost every competitor and dollar for dollar Jeep ruled. This new SRT would be perfect if they would have kept the old exhaust. I've been trying to buy a used 07 or 08 but their resale value is so high I'm going to wait for the new one. Chrysler is back........................................
originalschmo says:
10:49 PM, 04/26/2011
v8vader says:
08:20 PM, 04/19/2011
however impractical, i miss the giant center exhaust pipes
I totally agree. The designers and engineers really dropped the ball on this one. Bring back the center mounted exhaust for us purists. For those that whine they can't tow anything with this center exhaust, go buy a RAM 1500. Grand Cherokee SRT8 wasn't made to haul trailers, it was made to haul ASS!
vjiperron says:
06:32 PM, 04/24/2011
I think it's one kick butt ride but I did like the exhaust coming out of the center like the old ones better......As far you foreign lovers I've owned over 150 Chrysler products and have one to ever let me down. You guys are like a bunch of sheep playing follow the leader, plus all your rides are BORING, just like their owners...........................................
smallfield says:
03:51 PM, 04/21/2011
Let's do the comparo - get out the X5M, Cayenne turbo or RS and some V12 Audi Q7 TDI.
I think I'd get this one on looks alone.
@ chrisbrowdr - ask about the towing capacity of the X5M or X6M :)
I'll bet this is better, but not as good as the Cayenne.
rkr says:
10:49 AM, 04/20/2011
@1919diesel, But my Insight gets 40/43 and 0-60 3 days... Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
1919diesel says:
10:06 AM, 04/20/2011
@ hondalvr4life:
Enough of your opinions, let's stick with facts. You are biased against V8's and against Chrysler. PLEASE - this is the SRT8 performance model. It does 0-60 in LESS THAN 5 SECONDS!!! This is very competitive especially since their pricing should be around $50K. Check it out versus the competition below:
MAKE & MODEL MPG City/Hwy 0-60 (sec's)
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 13 / 18 4.9
BMW ActiveHybrid X6 17 / 19 5.5
BMW X6 (V8) 13 / 18 5.5
BMW X5M 12 / 17 4.5
Range Rover Sport 5.0L Supercharged 12 / 17 5.9
Porsche Cayenne S (4.8L V8) 15 / 22 5.6
Porsche Cayenne Turbo 15 / 22 4.4
Audi Q7 V6 SFTI 16 / 22 6.9
And before bashing Chrysler, you should compare the base Grand Cherokee (16 / 23) with other SUV's:
Acura MDX 16 / 21
Honda Pilot 17 / 23
Land Rover LR4 12 / 17
Nissan Pathfinder 15 / 22
Toyota 4Runner 17 / 23
Chrysler has a very strong product with the new Grand Cherokee and the new SRT8 is a world class performance SUV (comparing handling, acceleration, fuel economy, etc). If you consider performance for the price/value, then it's a home run!
scottyscooter says:
09:58 AM, 04/20/2011
Pretty impressive....
run_and_drive says:
09:54 AM, 04/20/2011
tdiluv: "YUP, the domestic auto makers wan't to be sure America remains the "energy pig" of the world and this type of vehicle helps that cause alot!"
Really? Have you seen the things the Germans have been making? They put V-12s in their sedans. (Twin-turbo charged ones if memory serves). Porsche makes 500hp SUVs and AMG does much the same.
Of course, the SRT-8 makes Americans "energy pigs" just by existing... riiiiiiiight.
tdiluv says:
05:00 AM, 04/20/2011
YUP, the domestic auto makers wan't to be sure America remains the "energy pig" of the world and this type of vehicle helps that cause alot!