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The new SRT8 is here!
A while ago we posted pictures on Twitter of the new SRT8, spotted at the Chrysler headquarters. Now, it’s finally been launched to the market this week, and we’ve got all the juicy information we wanted. The SRT8 was run as a limited edition in SA previously, and fanatics have been dying for a replacement. Well, here it is.
Performance
Jeep calls it their best performing Jeep ever. It gets to the 100km/h mark in only 5 seconds – that’s blisteringly quick for a large-SUV (check out the rather powerful Murano, a mid-sized SUV, in comparison).
Top speed is a ridiculous and unusable 255 km/h – here’s wishing that SA had an autobahn – and, interestingly, it brakes down to 0km/h from 100km/h in 35metres.
Under the hood is the delectable V8 Hemi 6,4 litre petrol engine that delivers a staggering 344kW. That goes with 642Nm of torque – making this the meanest machine we’ve seen from the company to date.
Handling
Jeep also claims that it’s their best handling vehicle, owing to a new adaptive damping suspension system managed by Selec-Track. Now, this may sound like press-release stuff, but we’ve come to respect the electronically-managed suspension systems in the Grand Cherokee, as you’ll see in the latest issue of the Leisure Wheels magazine (June, issue 98). It’s clever, reliable and thoroughly capable. As for Selec-Track – we’ll have to wait for our off road test.
Fuel consumption
Jeep further claims a 13% improvement in fuel efficiency on the open road. Watch this space, as testing is the only thing that will confirm it. We’ll believe it when we see it – as this performance-orientated beast has never been known for its frugality.
And my pocket?