Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Review
April 2007
As the first Jeep® vehicle to wear the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) badge and the first four-wheel-drive SRT vehicle, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was designed for superlative performance. And it delivers: It’s the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever created, offering astonishing on-road and all-weather ability and power.
With a 0-60-mph time in under 5 seconds — in wet or dry conditions — it’s quicker than competitors such as Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5.
“There are customers who want the utility, configuration and capability of a sport-utility vehicle with sports-car-like performance,” said Kipp Owen, Director – Street and Racing Technology, Chrysler Group. “The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 provides all that and more. It fulfills the SRT mission of best performance at the best price, and sets a new benchmark for performance SUVs.”
Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 producing 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 N•m), the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 delivers a complete performance package, with exceptional ride and handling, world-class braking, race-inspired interior appointments and functional, performance-oriented exterior enhancements.
“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007”
Rear camera – obstacle-avoidance aid
Remote start
DESIGN
Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design, Chrysler Group: “The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was designed to evoke two important qualities: performance capability and refinement. With subtle yet functional improvements inside and out, it redefines what a performance SUV should be.”
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s front fascia makes use of aerodynamic improvements to reduce lift and drag, while providing sufficient air flow to cool the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The front fascia also helps increase brake-system cooling through integrated air ducts.
In the rear, a modified fascia incorporates an aggressive center cutout to accommodate dual 4-inch exhaust tips. Sill extensions are another functional enhancement that help create downforce.
Inside the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s cabin are power-adjustable, deeply sculpted performance front seats complete with uniquely patterned performance suede inserts to hold occupants during aggressive maneuvering. Interior accents include a carbon-fiber technical finish on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, instrument-panel brow and shift knob, complemented by a refined aluminum finishing on the center stack, shifter and door-switch bezels.
Full instrumentation includes a 180-mph (300-kph) speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges, all trimmed with a unique blue accent and located within a carbon fiber-trimmed binnacle.
ENGINEERING
Kipp Owen, Director – Street and Racing Technology: “The SRT-developed four-wheel-drive system in the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 coupled with its 6.1-liter, 420-horsepower HEMI V-8 are an unbeatable combination, in terms of all-weather performance. But it doesn’t stop there: The 2007 Grand Cherokee SRT8 also benefits from SRT improvements including Brembo brakes, a performance-tuned suspension and race-bred interior and exterior enhancements.”
SRT engineers created the first SRT vehicle with full-time four-wheel drive by creating a new transfer case. They used the front half of a Jeep transfer case, chosen for its capability and light weight, and mated it to the rear half of a heavier-duty case, chosen for its ruggedness and ability to house electronic full-time, four-wheel-drive system components.
Under normal driving conditions, 5 percent to 10 percent of torque is directed to the front wheels, but as much of the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8’s torque that’s needed can be directed forward when additional traction or stability is required. Remaining torque is sent via a heavy-duty driveshaft to a Dana 44 rear differential.
Providing horsepower and torque to the unique SRT four-wheel-drive system is a specially tuned version of the new 6.1-liter SRT HEMI engine, which was developed by adding more cubic inches, increasing the compression ratio and redesigning the cylinder head, intake and exhaust systems for better flow and increased engine speed.
Power from the SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is sent through a special torque converter to an SRT-upgraded, five-speed automatic transmission with specially calibrated driver-selectable Auto Stick, which offers fully automatic or manual shift selection.
Chassis setup for the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 employs SRT-tuned dampers, unique sway bars and specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings. Front suspension knuckles were redesigned to accommodate high-performance braking and steering systems. The ride height of the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is 1 inch lower than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which lowers aerodynamic drag as well as the center of gravity, and contributes to the vehicle’s stability and aggressive stance.
With an optional hitch package available from Mopar®, the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds.
The braking system of the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 features four-piston performance brake calipers developed by Brembo, finished in gloss black. While braking, these calipers work with 360 mm x 32 mm vented rotors up front, with 350 mm x 28 mm vented rotors in the rear.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever
Powered by the all-new 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 producing 420 hp (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 N•m) of torque, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s powertrain represents a higher level in HEMI performance, with 85 additional horsepower — 25 percent more than the 5.7-liter HEMI
Quicker than Porsche Cayenne Turbo, BMW X5
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the first Jeep SRT vehicle, offering on-road and all-weather ability and performance
3,500-pound towing capability with Mopar tow package
Specially developed four-wheel-drive system offers highly capable performance
SRT performance: 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds, 0-100-0 in low 19-second range, 60-0 mph in approximately 125 feet
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 formula
Functional, performance-oriented exterior design, featuring 20-inch SRT wheels, all-new front and rear fascias with air dam and cooling ducts; race-inspired interior appointments that include deeply bolstered seating and comprehensive instrumentation; benchmark braking; and world-class ride and handling characteristics
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is part of a broad lineup of SRT vehicles developed under the credo, “Race inspired, street legal”
MODEL LINEUP
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Standard Features
Modified front fascia with integrated brake ducts
Mopar sill extensions
Sun roof
Mesh grille insert
420-horsepower (313 kW), 6.1-liter HEMI engine with five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick
Full-time four-wheel drive
Unique MDS 146 transfer case
Upgraded Dana 44 rear differential
20-inch forged-aluminum wheels
W-rated run-flat tires
Four-wheel disc brakes with Brembo calipers and anti-lock brakes
Electronic Stability Program tuned for SRT performance handling
Enhanced cooling system
Modified steering system
Power-adjustable performance front seats
Carbon-fiber technical finish on steering wheel, instrument-panel brow and shift knob
Refined aluminum finish on center stack, shifter, door-switch bezels and instrument-panel inserts
Upgraded trim on seats and steering wheel
Performance instrument cluster with 180-mph speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges, trimmed with unique blue accents
Premium audio system
Optional Features
DVD-based global-positioning system (GPS) navigation
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
UConnect® Hands-free Communication System with Bluetooth® technology
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 with SRT 1 Package
In addition to the standard features available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the SRT Package 1 adds:
Power sun roof
Supplemental side air bags
Heated front seats
Dual-zone air conditioning
Automatic headlamps
Remote start
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Please refer to the Safety Glossary for descriptions of the following features:
Advanced Multi-stage Air Bag System
Anti-lock Brake System
BeltAlert
Brake Assist
Child Protection Rear Door Locks
Door Ajar Warning Lamp
Electronic Stability Program
Energy-absorbing Steering Column
Height-adjustable Front Seat Belts
Laminated Front-Door Glass for Smash-and-Grab Protection
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
Occupant Classification System
Remote Keyless Entry System
Rigid Body Structure for Improved Impact Protection
Security Alarm
Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer
Speed-Ssensitive Power Locks
Three-point Seat Belt in All Positions
COLOR AVAILABILITY
Bright Silver Metallic
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Inferno Red
Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat
MANUFACTURING INFORMATION
2007 Model year production start: August 2006
Production location: Jefferson Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit
6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine: Saltillo Engine Plant in Saltillo, Mexico
Five-speed automatic transmission: Indiana Transmission 1 in Indianapolis
MARKET POSITION
The combination of Jeep’s four-wheel-drive leadership and the SRT-developed 6.1-liter HEMI maximizes the Grand Cherokee SRT8’s performance in all weather conditions, resulting in the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s extreme performance is complemented by key SRT attributes, including functional, performance-oriented styling, world-class ride and handling, and benchmark braking, coupled with race-inspired interior appointments.
Demographics
Gender: 80 percent male/20 percent female
Age: 36-55
Median Annual Household Income: $100,000
Education: 65 percent have a college degree
Household: 75 percent married, primarily post-family
Occupation: mix of executive, managerial and professional
MARKET ADVANTAGES
The most powerful Jeep vehicle ever — quicker than Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5
On-road and all-weather ability and performance with a specially developed four-wheel-drive system
Powered by the all-new 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 producing 420 hp (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 N•m) of torque
SRT performance: 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds, 0-100-0 in the low-19-second range, 60-0 mph in approximately 125 feet
Functional, performance-oriented exterior design and race-inspired interior appointments
Benchmark braking
World-class ride-and-handling characteristics across a dynamic range
Benchmark performance at the best price
