2012 One Lap of America: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Besting both a BMW X5 M and a Porsche Cayenne Turbo—and a Honda Odyssey and a 2001 Ford E350 ambulance—the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was the fastest entry in the “SUV” class in the most recent One Lap of America, and its overall finish in 30th place was an impressive feat given the high level of car competition. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 finished ahead of vehicles like the Cadillac CTS-V, Chevy Camaro, Audi S4, a couple of Porsches and even a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. Which isn’t that surprising when you consider the Jeep’s impressive performance credentials.
Per the folks at the SRT brand, their upgrade to the Grand Cherokee creates the most powerful and best-handling Jeep to ever hit the road, with:
470 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, courtesy of an all-new 6.4-liter HEMI V8
Top speed—160 mph
¼-mile time—mid-13 seconds
0-60 time—4.8 seconds
60-0 stopping distance—116 feet
In fact, the Chrysler Group’s supreme overlords were so taken by the vehicle that they recently presented a pair of them to Ferrari Formula 1 racers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, two experts who know a thing or two about hi-po driving. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 also was named the 2012 Performance SUV of Texas in the annual Texas Auto Writers Roundup, and earned this year’s Best Utility Award in Winding Road’s 2012 Best Cars of the Year ratings.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is currently available with a sticker price that opens at $60,960.