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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Photo by A.J. Mueller Photography LLC.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Photo by A.J. Mueller Photography LLC.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Photo by A.J. Mueller Photography LLC.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Photo by A.J. Mueller Photography LLC.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Photo by A.J. Mueller Photography LLC.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Photo by A.J. Mueller Photography LLC.

By: Jonathan Wong on 7/14/2011

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What is it?

Jeep's pavement-pounding Grand Cherokee SRT8 income to the fold for the 2012 replica day packing a new engine, better ride excellence and towing capabilities. A 6.4-liter Hemi V8 be dressed in up supermarket beneath the sculpted hood by means of dual vents to produce 470 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque for an development of 50 hp and 45 lb-ft of torque in excess of the preceding 6.1-liter mill. Efficiency is too up thanks to an lively valve exhaust system, construct intended the big Hemi to operate in four-cylinder mode crossways a similar to rpm range. The result, normal to Jeep, is a 13-percent add to of petroleum monetary system on the highway and a variety of up to 450 on foot on one tank of fuel.

The merely broadcast obtainable is a five-speed routine by means of manual-shift mode via the steering-wheel-mounted paddles or middle console shifter.

Ride and handling improvements approach courtesy of the body's 146-percent add to in torsional stiffness and a normal adaptive damping suspension, construct is forbidden by the SRT8's new Selec-Track system. With five dissimilar settings (auto, sport, tow, path and snow), the scheme adjusts constancy control, damping, broadcast shifts, torque proportioning, throttle reply and contemporary limited-slip differential for optimal presentation normal to conditions.

All of the handling improvements, jointly by means of beefier 295/45ZR-20 Pirelli PZero tires (up as of the preceding staggered 255/45R-20 front, 285/40R-20 back Goodyear Eagle RSA), contain Jeep calling the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 its best-handling vehicle to date, able of hardness 0.90 g on the skidpad.

To put the clamps on everything, Brembo brakes are employed by means of six-piston front and four-piston back calipers.

Visually, the SRT8 be dressed in itself fraction as of inferior Grand Cherokee heavy by means of a one-piece front fascia by means of LED daytime organization lights, a body-colored grille by means of black mesh backing, sculpted hood by means of dual vents, body-color wheel flares and back spoiler. The cabin has a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel by means of a flat bottom, deeply bolstered leather seats by means of suede inserts and carbon-fiber accent trim. A dual-pane sunroof is obtainable as an option.

I trust that what you've read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

What is it similar to to drive?

It's a genuine eye-opener. Along our drive way on the twisting roads so as to create up the Angeles Crest Highway in California, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 hustled approximately similar to no 5,150 pound SUV should. With Selec-Track set to auto, the ride stayed acquiescent in excess of poor pavement, construct is a welcome alter to the first-generation car's jarring ride excellence as of the stiff, non-adjustable suspension. It's by no income a lavishness sedan-like ride, but additional supposed livable for each day driving. While cruising, the new car isn't loud or obnoxious, but at what time you fall the hammer, the exhaust emits a magnificent bellow and thrust is forceful. The rareness as of the old car is lost, construct may distress some, but the new height of refinement determination assist the SRT8 appeal to a broader audience.

We too enjoyed a number of hot laps approximately Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif., anywhere the Grand Cherokee SRT8 astonished us on one occasion once more at what time we slotted Selc-Track eager on contest mode. In particular, the hold and speeds the Jeep was able of nervousness from side to side the twist knowledge and twist demonstrate rights the majority important onto the front straight create you chuckle. The Brembo brakes too shined by means of no trouble scrubbing off 20 mph by means of a quick, forceful jab of the brake pedal. We too contain to commend the routine gearbox's upshifts in physical mode, construct now rapid enough, but do contain to complain concerning the transmission's be small of of rev matching for downshifts. Without so as to feature, downshifts are violent. When asked, manufactured goods specialists say the five-speed routine gearbox isn't able of as long as rev matches.

Another little grievance involves the steering-wheel anxiety paddle shifters construct are too small, causing you to by means of no trouble slip off of not any and tap the radio controls on the back of the steering wheel instead.

Do I desire it?

If you now a fan of the primary Grand Cherokee SRT8, but couldn't get history the punishing ride and contemptible interior, after that yes. The new car's center is a great deal improved by means of nicer materials, upgraded sound deadening and is at ease by means of the heavily bolstered SRT front bucket seats. And the ride by means of the adaptive damping scheme ,court case a at ease ride on the street and can stiffen belongings up if you hit the track. Or if you necessary by means of hot-rod SUV to tow, construct the old car couldn't do since of the middle exhaust outlets, the new car fake absent by means of the stylish middle exhaust and is rated to drag up to 5,000 pounds.

It's too an affordable option to the additional luxurious presentation SUVs on the market, genuine as the Porsche Cayenne. With a bottom cost of $54,470 preceding to gas guzzler taxes and destination costs (those are motionless be finalized), it moderator in cheaper supposed a Cayenne S by means of merely 400 hp and healthy beneath the 500-hp Cayenne Turbo.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

On Sale: Third quarter 2011

Base Price: $57,500 (est)

Drivetrain: 6.4-liter, 470-hp, 465 lb-ft V8; five-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 5,150 lb

0-60 mph: 4.8 sec (mfr)

Fuel Economy (EPA): 14 mpg

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