What, no low range? Who cares?We know, we know. A Jeep without low range is blasphemy. But, humor us here, if just for a moment. Is it really the watering-down of the Jeep brand if the product line still offered a model with all the 'wheeling credentials you could ever want, and on the side, just because, allowed you to partake in your own guilty pleasures with a limited-production 420hp AWD version of the same vehicle?
As long as you can still get the off-road version of the Grand, we think we can live with having a performance model in the offerings, especially after spending some quality time with the '06 Grand SRT8 on the Willow Springs racetrack in the California desert.
SRT (that stands for Street and Racing Technology, you know) recently invited us out to a track day, where we had an opportunity to sample the entire SRT lineup, from the amazing Viper supercar to the autocross all-star SRT-4. But what we really focused on was the new Grand SRT8 that Chrysler Group's go-fast boys worked their magic on.
Immediately noticeable is the muscular stance and clean design with performance cues. The low-slung exterior features 20-inch wheels and center-mounted exhaust tips, from which a hellish bark emanates at wide-open throttle. It is a pure mechanical symphony that is enough to cause the snobbiest of Europe's AMGs and Ms to take note. The 6.1L Hemi V-8 has torque all over the place and hustles the Grand from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds, a claim we have no doubts about. In fact, the Grand SRT8 is so fast that on the front stretch of Willow, where the Viper reached about 130 mph, the Grand SRT8 was good for about 118. Not too shabby for a 4,800-pound SUV playing on a track with sports cars. We even tried to comment on some wind noise around the windshield, until we realized we were doing a brisk 100 mph without realizing it. The solid Grand SRT8 is that smooth.
Speed is not the only attribute the Grand Cherokee SRT8 has to flaunt, as this truck flat out handles. The ride is firm but not harsh, and the cockpit is nicely upgraded with some SRT design cues and grippy seats that are both comfortable on long jaunts and supportive while hustling around the track. The Grand SRT8's full-time AWD transfer case can send 100 percent of the power to the front or rear wheels at any time. Operation is imperceptible on the street, but on the track, we could feel the power transfer at the limit as the front tires began clawing at the track, pulling us through off-camber turns. Amazing.
Performance aside, the Grand SRT8 is still as functional as any SUV when it comes to people hauling, cargo carrying, and all-weather capability. It even offers a 3,500-pound tow rating, so there is no need to take any grief from your practical side. But if you are inclined to listen to the devil on your shoulder, indulgence is just a stab of the skinny pedal away. Go ahead, treat yourself, because when it comes to everyday performance, these SRT guys get it.
-Sean P. Holman
* Ford and Microsoft are teaming up to create "Mobile Office," complete with wireless connections and a rugged, vehicle-mounted notebook computer.
* Nissan has announced it is moving its Southern California headquarters to Tennessee.
* Despite fluctuating gas prices, Hummer's H3 has helped the brand to increase sales.
The Outdoor Channel has announced that one of the most popular programs on its original standard-definition channel, Four Wheeler TV, has made the jump to High-Definition. FWTV, with its large and distinctly loyal fan base, is now also available in vivid HD as a part of the programming lineup on the all new, all-HD Outdoor Channel 2 HD. All episodes are now produced utilizing the latest in HD cameras and technology, allowing viewers to experience the sport's action and power as displayed in never-before-seen clarity. For show information, airdates and times, please visit http://outdoorchannel.com.