2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Preview

Beating the Europeans at Their Own Game

DaimlerChrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division is starting to get some serious kudos from automotive

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

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 Mopar's own muscle machines from the '60s and '70s - total domination.

Even from SRT's early days, Chrysler Group's specialty brand has known no limits in terms of the vehicles it has tuned. The team 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

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

introduced Charger SRT8. But there's one problem that SRT has encountered on its 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 TJ (Wrangler in the U.S.) upholds the traditional go-anywhere, do-anything image of the company, Jeep's 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, and in so doing, shaping what the modern sport utility vehicle is today.