If straight-line racing isn't always in the cards and you enjoy slicing through apexes (lapping on a track, in other words), the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will not disappoint here, either. Thanks to its front and rear Bilstein adaptive damping suspension and massive P295/45R20 tires, this truck can pull up to 0.90 g on a skidpad. This is near Hyundai Genesis 2.0T and Chevrolet Camaro V6 numbers. I'm impressed as you'll be.
The other major player in this numbers game is the truck's revised chassis. It is now 146% stiffer than it previously was. This change is immediately obvious on the road as the GC SRT8 feels smoother, quieter and far more solid.
Another important mentionable are the large Brembo brakes that can bring the 2,336-kg (5,150-lb) SRT8 to a stop from 96 km/h in only 116 ft (35.4 metres). That's roughly a normal North American male's height longer than a Ferrari 360 Modena.
The variable torque-split transfer case can be manually influenced by a rotary knob that will vary torque split (surprised?) with five preset modes including “Track.” Insert smiley face here. In most cases, “Auto” will do all the work for you as it can channel power any which way. What I mean to say is that with the help of the Jeep's standard Quadra-Trac, active on-demand, four-wheel-drive system, 100% of the available torque can be sent to one wheel.
All of this translates into a very mean driving machine that can also perform admirably well off the beaten path. A quick run through a short, muddy, off-road path demonstrated that the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is all show and all go – anywhere that is.
And on the subject of looks, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has it all going for it. It's lower by an inch, although the impression is that it's more than that because of its unique 20” wheels. More design elements include a one-piece, LED-laden body and black-coloured front fascia, rear spoiler and oversized dual-exhaust outlets.
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| The GC SRT8 feels smoother, quieter and far more solid. (Photo: Chrysler) |
The other major player in this numbers game is the truck's revised chassis. It is now 146% stiffer than it previously was. This change is immediately obvious on the road as the GC SRT8 feels smoother, quieter and far more solid.
Another important mentionable are the large Brembo brakes that can bring the 2,336-kg (5,150-lb) SRT8 to a stop from 96 km/h in only 116 ft (35.4 metres). That's roughly a normal North American male's height longer than a Ferrari 360 Modena.
The variable torque-split transfer case can be manually influenced by a rotary knob that will vary torque split (surprised?) with five preset modes including “Track.” Insert smiley face here. In most cases, “Auto” will do all the work for you as it can channel power any which way. What I mean to say is that with the help of the Jeep's standard Quadra-Trac, active on-demand, four-wheel-drive system, 100% of the available torque can be sent to one wheel.
All of this translates into a very mean driving machine that can also perform admirably well off the beaten path. A quick run through a short, muddy, off-road path demonstrated that the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is all show and all go – anywhere that is.
And on the subject of looks, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has it all going for it. It's lower by an inch, although the impression is that it's more than that because of its unique 20” wheels. More design elements include a one-piece, LED-laden body and black-coloured front fascia, rear spoiler and oversized dual-exhaust outlets.
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| It's lower by an inch, although the impression is that it's more than that because of its unique 20” wheels. (Photo: Chrysler) |