Click image above for small gallery of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8
While out in the Mojave testing the new Subaru STI, our buddy Rich Truesdell not only came upon a fleet of 2009 Acura TLs, but caravan of Mopars. There were "several Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s, a Dodge Challenger, with a camouflaged Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a trailer in tandem with a Mercedes ML towing a similar trailer." The ML was a tipoff that this could be a Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes-shared turbodiesel engine. But when the vehicles passed by, they knew they were listening to a Hemi under that hood. So maybe it is just an upgraded Hemi that was being load-tested against a similarly powerful ML550. Informed speculation says that a new fascia lies behind the camo and it was undergoing cooling testing. Rich also mentions tire upgrades and even a horsepower bump as possible reasons for the desert excursion. One intriguing theory is the adaptation of Chrysler's gas-saving multi displacement system to the hi-po Hemi, something Chrysler has said wouldn't work on this engine. We'll probably have to just wait and see, but for now, check out our mini gallery supplied by Truesdell and Automotive Traveler for the rest of the tale of the encounter in the desert.
[Source: Automotive Traveler]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MikeofLA @ Jun 24th 2008 6:10PM
Let's hope it's a test for a new diesel or just a cooling test. The SRT8 Cherokee, though cool, is not what we need more of, unless they can get it up to 20 mpg range... not gonna happen, I know.
xpolarx @ Jun 24th 2008 6:28PM
A low mpg superSUV?...never going to happen. You should drive one of these though...you forget about the fuel economy pretty quick. It's more fun than the Cheyenne Turbo...it has more heart. I'm stoked to see what they do with the new version.
SimbaDogg @ Jun 25th 2008 1:41AM
seriously...people still buy these?
@xpolarx
out of all the vehicles in the world, i doubt a high performance SUV would ever make me forget about what mpg it gets. a porsche, challenger, camaro, sti, etc...sure, but an SUV, nah. i think i'd be more than reminded every 4th day when i hit the pump
MikeofLA @ Jun 24th 2008 6:12PM
Those are SRT8 wheels, and that is pretty low for a GC... but i speced out a GC SRT8 and it could only tow ~3000lbs. That trailer looks like more then that, unless it's empty.
MikeofLA @ Jun 24th 2008 6:15PM
Those are SRT8 wheels, and that is pretty low for a GC... but i speced out a GC SRT8 and it could only tow ~3000lbs. That trailer looks like more then that, unless it's empty.
TriShield @ Jun 24th 2008 6:18PM
"Need" is a subjective word.
I want one of these though I don't need it.
It also doesn't "need" cylinder deactivation, in the real world it actually doesn't save any fuel.
Steven @ Jun 24th 2008 6:22PM
Must relocate the exhaust...the stock SRT8 has center exit in place of the hitch
montoym @ Jun 24th 2008 6:56PM
They actually have a hitch made specifically for the SRT-8 GC's. It requires the exhaust to be angled downwards. So, it's possible to do, just a pain and a bad design to start with.
See this photo:
http://www.wkjeeps.com/srt8/srt8_trailer_01m.jpg
http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_srt8_hitch.htm
Tim UF @ Jun 24th 2008 8:04PM
and how hot does that hitch get sitting between the dual exhaust outlets?
i spose people that are serious about wanting a haul-ass suv/truck that can haul too will opt for the side exhaust of the ford lightning...
LimeDaiquiri @ Jun 24th 2008 6:30PM
This is a very forgotten car....
ambientFLIER @ Jun 24th 2008 6:36PM
Hopefully they made it faster, seeing as how the FX50 is just as quick now with a much smaller engine.
Talisman @ Jun 24th 2008 8:20PM
Actually the X is slower by about half a second to 60 and through the 1/4
ambientFLIER @ Jun 25th 2008 7:44PM
Which is pretty much nothing, only .5 of a second, and it might be even less.
Austin @ Jun 24th 2008 6:45PM
Couldnt this be a mule for the all new one which is supposed to come in 2010.
jdemonto @ Jun 24th 2008 8:09PM
Thats what i thought, maybe a mule for the 2010 Grand cherokee in srt8 clothing?
Jason
OKC05SRT6 @ Jun 25th 2008 8:01AM
The 2011 model is supposed to have the 6.4L.
steve @ Jun 24th 2008 8:21PM
the MDS will NOT be on the 6.1L engine, nor will any HP increase for a few more years before the new engines arrive
eb110americana @ Jun 24th 2008 10:50PM
Thank God they got rid of the double round headlights. They really didn't fit on the Grand Cherokee with everything else being so angular and chiseled. How about a 2-mode hybrid? Think they might be testing that with the 5.7L Hemi?
LCRacerX @ Jun 26th 2008 11:41AM
Agreed.... I think that's a definite possibility. I doubt Chrysler would leave the Grand Cherokee out of the line up with the Aspen and Durango.
ASEVENSEE4 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:55AM
What it really needs is a bigger and completely redesigned interior, the current one is an embarrassment even for Chrysler.