Probably more suited for the autobahn than the Rubicon, the Jeep? Grand Cherokee SRT8 is rumbling into Jeep dealerships with a combination of Jeep?s legendary capability and utility, merged with the top-level performance courtesy of Chrysler Group LLC?s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team.

?The all-new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the ultimate performance SUV, delivering a combination of Jeep capability and utility, world-class performance, luxury and refinement, and advanced innovative technology,? said Mike Manley, President and CEO ? Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. ?Jeep vehicles have long been known for their off-road capability. ?In addition to Jeep four-wheel-drive traction and utility, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 takes capability to a new level by giving driving enthusiasts extreme performance for the street and track.

An all-new 470 horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI? V-8 lurks under the hood ready to make 0 to 60 mph runs in only 4.8 seconds, go from 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, cover the quarter mile in the mid-13 second range with a top speed of 160 mph.? Stopping performance is equally impressive dropping from 60 mph to 0 mph in only 116 feet thanks to Brembo 6-piston (front) and 4-piston (rear) calipers, and15-inches (front) and 13.8-inches (rear).

 

Standard Fuel Saver Technology and a new-for-2012 active valve exhaust system allows four-cylinder operation to engage over a wider rpm range, to deliver both improved fuel efficiency ? a 13-percent increase on the highway ? and an extended range of 450 miles on one tank of gas.

Standard steering wheel mounted paddle shifters join the standard Auto Stick on the floor. Both are mated to a proven automatic transmission, allowing a choice of spirited shifting on the road and the racetrack.

It?s the best handling Jeep vehicle ever, too ? capable of .90 g on the skid pad ? employing a new SRT-tuned, adaptive damping suspension managed by the new Jeep Selec-Track system that interacts with several different systems.? Stability control, adaptive damping, transmission shift strategy, transfer case torque proportioning, Electronic Limited Slip Differential performance, throttle control and cylinder de-activation) work together to automatically tune the dynamics of the vehicle, plus drivers can manually choose between five dynamic modes for specific driving conditions: Auto, Sport, Tow, Track and Snow.

The standard Jeep Quadra-Trac active on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer case uses input from a variety of sensors to recognize tire slip quickly and take corrective action. The system uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in the throttle from a stop and maximizes traction before slippage occurs. When tire slippage is detected, the Jeep 4×4 system can transfer up to 100 percent of available torque to one rear wheel.

New split 5-spoke, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels ride on P295/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season run-flat tires or available Pirelli P Zero Three-season.

Rounding out the capability of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a trailer tow rating of 5,000 lbs.

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 has a new ?planted? look, like a high-performance sports car. It?s been lowered one inch and has a new, SRT-exclusive, body-color wheel flares and side sill cladding.

A one-piece front fascia contains new LED multi-function daytime running lamps that result in an exclusive face for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, while a body-colored front grille with a unique black screen background and chrome bezel inserts add to the aggressive look.

The integrated lower front grille is painted in gloss black and a newly designed underbody belly pan features integrated brake ducting to improve cooling and fade performance. Completing the new front end is a newly sculpted hood with functional dual black heat extractors for added engine cooling.

At the rear, the SRT performance influence continues with a new liftgate spoiler that reduces drag and improves downforce. ?New for the 2012 version of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the dual-sport exhaust system featuring 4-inch exhaust tips.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee?s luxurious interior takes on a performance feel in SRT8 form with race-inspired technology and SRT-exclusive appointments.

An all-new, leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel features a unique satin chrome rim section with a flattened bottom. Standard paddle-shift controls flank both sides of the new contoured palm rests while all audio and Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) controls are accessible from the horizontal spokes on the steering wheel. ?A power tilt and telescoping steering column is standard.

SRT-exclusive Performance Pages are new for 2012 and show instant feedback on steering input measurements, horsepower, torque, 0-60 mph time, 60-0 mph braking distance, g-forces, and one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times, along with expanded engine information.

New SRT-styled Nappa leather and suede seats, with sculpted bolsters and adjustable headrests, provide comfort for daily drives ? and ?grip? to keep the driver and passengers in place during spirited driving. The embroidered SRT logos and contrast stitching accent the two front seats. Heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front) seats are standard.

Carbon fiber accents are integrated into the instrument panel and door trim panels and new bright, racing style brake and pedal pads add to the high-performance look inside the cabin.

An available Command View? dual-pane sunroof provides twice as much glass surface than a standard sunroof and extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle.

The available Luxury Group package adds premium leather to the door trim panels, instrument panel and center console along with a power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring.

Already a recipient of the 2011 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ‘Top Safety Pick’ for the volume Grand Cherokee models, the 2012 Jeep Grand CherokeeSRT8 offers consumers 45 safety and security features.

A wide variety of easy-to-use infotainment options are available including premium navigation and SIRIUS Travel Link. ?Also standard are a multitude of features including SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Uconnect Phone.
The available Vehicle Entertainment System (VES) includes a DVD player and rear seat overhead screen that deliver a variety of programming choices, with ports to connect games and media players with audio and video output capability, including iPod? connectivity. The Media Center or the VES remote can control multiple screen inputs and each screen can play something different.

New for 2012 is the available 825-watt, 19-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from Harman Kardon?. The system offers world premier innovation, featuring a 32-volt TPS (Tracking Power Supply) 12-channel Class D amplifier.

The new system uses GreenEdge? speaker and amplifier technology for superior sound quality and high Sound Pressure Level outputs with minimum energy consumption. GreenEdge amplifiers alone outperform traditional amplifier efficiency by up to 55 percent. ?The system?s 19 GreenEdge high-efficiency speakers include nine tweeters, five mid-range speakers, two mid-woofers and three subwoofers located throughout the interior.

One cool plus is all SRT owners receive one day of professional driving instruction from the Richard Petty Driving Experience as part of the SRT Track Experience.? It?s designed to maximize their driving knowledge and skills on the street or track. Sessions are held throughout the year at selected tracks.