2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Preview

The much-improved interior of the Grand Cherokee has been reworked by the SRT team to add sport to the existing luxury themes.

The Grand Cherokee has been reworked by the SRT team to add sport to the existing luxury themes. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

Carbon fibre-like finish can be found on the instrument panel, shift knob and inserts on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the centre console shifter-base and door trims receive satin aluminum appliqué. A full array of blue-accented SRT gauges, including tachometer, oil-pressure and a rather optimistic 300 km/h speedometer are all standard. The driver and front passenger sit in sculpted Medium Slate leather buckets, with grippy suede inserts, designed to hold occupants tight even during hard cornering.

As the range-topping model, the SRT8 comes fully equipped with climate control, heated power seats and a premium sound system.

Also, a host of technologies, once limited to high-end European luxury cars, will be available. The options list includes a voice-activated DVD navigation system, Satellite Radio (U.S.-only), and Uconnect Bluetooth

The new Jeep posts a price tag that's half of what one might expect to pay. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

interactivity for true handsfree cellphone operation.

The first-ever SRT-tuned Jeep is a well-rounded package, balancing best-in-class performance with luxury and practicality, but the Grand Cherokee SRT8 brings even more to the game - value.

While many high performance SUVs start close to, or even into, the six-figure range, the new Jeep posts a price tag that's half of what one might expect to pay. While the actual figure hasn't been announced yet, it is expected to start at around $62,000 - expensive for a Jeep, but an absolute bargain when compared to BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz counterparts. Expect the Grand Cherokee SRT8 to arrive in dealer showrooms by the end of summer.