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2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Preview

Beating the Europeans at Their Own Game

DaimlerChryslers Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division is starting to get some serious kudos from automotive enthusiasts. While only a recent entry in the factory-backed performance scene in comparison to the likes of AMG, Quattro GmBH or SVT, in the few short years of its existence the three-lettered insignia has backed some of the hottest performers in their respective classes, such as the 2.0 SX-based SRT-4, the Crossfire SRT6, and of course, the almighty Viper and Ram SRT-10s. The objective is the same as Mopars own muscle machines from the 60s and 70s - total domination.

Even from SRTs early days, Chrysler Groups specialty brand has known no limits in terms of the vehicles it has tuned. The team

Chrysler Groups specialty SRT brand has known no limits in terms of the vehicles it has tuned. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

has adapted to make the most of any Chrysler or Dodge product, regardless of its aspiration, number of cylinders, transmission or point of assembly. In its rapid expansion, much of the Chrysler and Dodge range has been covered, including the most recent conversions of the hottest large cars on the market - the Chrysler 300C SRT8, Dodge Magnum SRT8, and now the recently introduced Charger SRT8. But theres one problem that SRT has encountered on its

Jeep sport utility vehicles are known everywhere as some of the most capable off-roaders on the face of the planet. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

quest: what to tune next? You may be surprised, but the answer is Jeep.

Jeep sport utility vehicles are known everywhere as some of the most capable off-roaders on the face of the planet. While the Wrangler upholds the traditional go-anywhere, do-anything image of the company, Jeeps other products, the Liberty and Grand Cherokee, have explored the more practical aspects of regular life as well as off-road functionality, bringing comfort and everyday usability to the masses,

Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President and CEO unveiled the all-new 415-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 at the New York International Auto Show yesterday. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

and in so doing, shaping what the modern sport utility vehicle is today.

But what happens when Trail-Rated meets SRT? You get the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever created - the ultimate on-road, all-weather Grand Cherokee SRT8. Having just made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show, the fastest Jeep ever made marks many other firsts for the SRT division, as its the first SRT-tuned Jeep and its the first four-wheel drive vehicle that the team has ever worked with. It was

A specially-tuned 6.1-liter SRT-tuned HEMI V8 engine churning out a whopping 415-horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque is tucked under the hood. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

built and designed to strike right at the heart of the performance SUV segment, championed by the likes of the Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG, BMW X5 4.8is and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Feeling bullish about what the SRT team has developed, Jeff Bell, VP of Jeep commented, "The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 . . . will leave in its dust competitors that cost twice the price."

So, how does one go about building an American performance machine that will beat the Europeans at their own game? Dan Knott, Director of SRT says, "With an infusion of SRT DNA, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the new benchmark performance

SRT engineers increased the bore of the engine cylinders by 3.5 mm to bump displacement up to 6.1 liters. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

SUV. It has the raw power to outperform the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, while providing exceptional ride and handling, world-class braking, race-inspired interior appointments and functional, performance-oriented exterior enhancements." It probably also didnt hurt to base it on Jeeps most capable and dynamic SUV to date.

Stuffed under the hood of the Grand Cherokee - and what makes Knotts claim of Cayenne Turbo-beating performance possible - is a specially-tuned 6.1-liter SRT HEMI V8 engine churning out a whopping 415-horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, an impressive 25 percent more power than the regular 5.7-liter HEMI V8 found in top-of-the-line Grand Cherokees. While not making quite as

To keep in line with Grand Cherokees all-weather reputation, the SRT team developed its first four-wheel-drivetrain. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

much power and torque as other 6.0-liter SRT8 offerings, the end result speaks for itself: an SUV that can rocket to 60 mph in less than five seconds, trumping all performance SUVs and a few serious sports cars to boot.

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