• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Road & Track Test

The Worlds Quickest SUV?

Talk all you want about BMWs X5 4.8si, Mercedes-Benzs ML55 AMG, Porsches Cayenne Turbo, Volkswagen Touareg V12, or the all-new Land Rover Sport Supercharged, because the only one that would be left standing after a head-to-head acceleration duel would be one not yet mentioned, the relatively low-priced Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Am I serious? An SUV best known for scaling the Rubicon Trail can slay the best of the crossover utes on the track? Its true, and in some cases by a long shot. Take the new fully-blown 390-horsepower Land Rover Sport, which after dropping $69,085 can only managed 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. What about Mercedes mighty ML55? Well, M-B hasnt massaged the all-new model with an AMG upgrade yet, but the old one managed the 60 mph feat in only 6.2 seconds while the new ML500 comes close to the mark with an impressive 6.7 seconds. BMWs X5 4.8si manages a rather impressive 6.0 seconds to 60, while

At 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, only Porsches new Cayenne Turbo S can keep up with Jeeps new Grand Cherokee SRT8. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Volkswagens seemingly omnipotent 450-horsepower Touareg W12 overcomes 60 mph in only 5.8 seconds - how stimulating despite not being available in North America. And what about Porsches turbocharged variant? The Cayenne sweeps past the marker in, whoa, a stunning 5.3 seconds when the Tequipment package is added on, upping the price to $109,200. But wait a minute? News just in (at least at time of writing), a new $111,600 Cayenne Turbo S, just introduced at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show sees 60 mph in 4.8 seconds... no doubt a direct response to being beaten by the comparably

The labor-class 420-hp Grand Cherokee SRT8 features 90 horsepower more than the already potent 5.7-liter HEMI-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 27 percent higher output level. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

labor-class 420-horsepower Grand Cherokee SRT8 - which just happens to feature 90 additional horsepower, a 27 percent higher output level than the already potent 5.7-liter HEMI-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee. Thats right, the domestic super-SUV manages the feat in "less than five seconds"; all Jeep is willing to admit. Up until the LA auto show, it was the clear winner by an estimated 0.4 seconds, which is a long shot in acceleration tests. Now, at least, the SRT8 has a worthy competitor, but at a price.
Fortunately for lovers of relatively inexpensive

Fortunately for lovers of relatively inexpensive super-SUVs, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 starts at a mere $39,300. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

super-SUVs, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 starts at a mere $39,300. Of course, there arent many other relatively inexpensive hyper-powered SUVs to compare it to, other than Chevys 395-horsepower TrailBlazer SS at $31,800, which I have been told is surprisingly nimble but not as sporting as Jeeps latest entry, although its substantial discount might make take the edge off of losing out on the track. And such a sum is equal to at least a few years of premium unleaded (or more if you factor in interest rates over four or five years), and more if consider the SRT8s thirst for fuel. But those opting for the non-MDS equipped 6.1-liter variant probably wont be caring too much about such details,

While stunning to look at, pressing the right pedal results in otherworldly acceleration, while the left one will bring the GC SRT8 to standstill almost as quickly. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

at least at first. What will matter more are the 420 ponies under the hood, complemented with 420 lb-ft of rubber burning torque.

At take-off its otherworldly. With the right foot planted solidly on the throttle it pins all occupants into the backs of their seats with a gravitational pull that must be reminiscent of a Cape Cod launch, although the resonant bass-like gurgling exhaust that immediately changes tune to a higher pitched roar made me feel as if I was actually inside "FrightMare", the worlds largest Jeep, other than the lack of a roof, missing roll cage, the requisite fire extinguisher, and the fact that the Jeep handles curves at supercar speeds almost as well as it accelerates.

The SRT8 looks menacing at the base of the spectacular Angeles Crest highway. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

My driving partner and I started the climb out of Pasadena, California on a regular hot, sunny day, up over the Angeles Crest highway, easily one of the best roads the world has to offer driving enthusiasts and appreciators of scenic vistas alike, right onto the Angeles Forest Highway, also spectacular for both passions, and then on the Antelope Valley Freeway towards Palmdale and Lancaster, California, home to the Edwards Air Force Base as well as a desert haunt I once had to spend a little more than a week in at 110 to 120+ degrees, rebuilding my carburetor, repairing a rusted gas tank and still waiting for yet more Suzuki GS750 parts to arrive - another story, another time.

Page:  1  2  3  4

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo