The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is probably the most aggressive 4x4 to be associated with the legendary Jeep, whose military involvement has earned it a spot as one of the world's most iconic off-roader.
The similarity, however, stops at the moniker because this Jeep was not made for the jungle. Instead, in SRT8 guise, it packs more muscles than one would ever need to venture on unbeaten tracks.
Under its sleeves are also some clever technologies, such as Multi Displacement System (MDS) which puts four of the eight cylinders to rest during idling or low engine load.
While we seldom associate off-road champions with tarmac burners, our market has seen an ensemble of these 'performance SUVs', specifically those from the people who loves bread, bratwursts and beer - think X5 M, G55 AMG, Cayenne Turbo, etc.
Hence, we question the relevance of this odd breed. They are bestowed with road skewing abilities but yet they aren't the best on tracks. Plus, body kits and lowered ride heights diminish their off-road prowess.
Consumer's behaviour/demand, however, isn't exactly based on relevance. For the well heeled, these may just be the perfect tools of commute.Exterior
The SRT8 is one car you wouldn't want to see from your rearview mirror. The Cherokee's generous dimensions and squared-off edges are now edgier and more muscular with help from the extended bumpers and body-kit.
The similarity, however, stops at the moniker because this Jeep was not made for the jungle. Instead, in SRT8 guise, it packs more muscles than one would ever need to venture on unbeaten tracks.
Under its sleeves are also some clever technologies, such as Multi Displacement System (MDS) which puts four of the eight cylinders to rest during idling or low engine load.
While we seldom associate off-road champions with tarmac burners, our market has seen an ensemble of these 'performance SUVs', specifically those from the people who loves bread, bratwursts and beer - think X5 M, G55 AMG, Cayenne Turbo, etc.
Hence, we question the relevance of this odd breed. They are bestowed with road skewing abilities but yet they aren't the best on tracks. Plus, body kits and lowered ride heights diminish their off-road prowess.
Consumer's behaviour/demand, however, isn't exactly based on relevance. For the well heeled, these may just be the perfect tools of commute.Exterior
The SRT8 is one car you wouldn't want to see from your rearview mirror. The Cherokee's generous dimensions and squared-off edges are now edgier and more muscular with help from the extended bumpers and body-kit.
Up close, it feels like every replacement or add-on bit is there to emphasise on aggression. Blatantly wearing a slew of blackened trims, with additional 'bling bling' accessories such as the bumper integrated LEDs and chromed bumper scoops, the SRT8 is almost hooligan-like.
It has the ready-to-pounce-on-you type of attitude, and few cars can pull off such aggression at a standstill.
It has the ready-to-pounce-on-you type of attitude, and few cars can pull off such aggression at a standstill.
Interior
The cabin of the Cherokee portrays a less flashy image, with dark colours setting a more solemn mood. Once inside, it immediately becomes more apparent that the Cherokee is never meant to be a gym-going track racer.
For starters, the bulbous seats are more luxury-inclined than tricked-out weight savers. Go-faster bits, such as carbon fibre strips running across the dashboard, are there to accentuate a sporting feel - not to shed some real kilos.
The cabin of the Cherokee portrays a less flashy image, with dark colours setting a more solemn mood. Once inside, it immediately becomes more apparent that the Cherokee is never meant to be a gym-going track racer.
For starters, the bulbous seats are more luxury-inclined than tricked-out weight savers. Go-faster bits, such as carbon fibre strips running across the dashboard, are there to accentuate a sporting feel - not to shed some real kilos.
Despite riding an inch lower than the standard Cherokee, ingress to the SRT8 may pose a problem for the fairer sex. Once inside, however, the seating position will delight with its commanding view - which we reckon is well worth the trouble.
On the brighter side of things, the thick cushions give rise to more cuddly-feeling quarters, but are never a squeeze in any aspect. Also, the Cherokee will happily swallow 990 litres of goods should you decide to run it to the grocer.
On the brighter side of things, the thick cushions give rise to more cuddly-feeling quarters, but are never a squeeze in any aspect. Also, the Cherokee will happily swallow 990 litres of goods should you decide to run it to the grocer.
The Drive
While the SRT8 may paint a bullish image with its herculean 6.4-litre V8, it comes with smart traction trickeries - a sport differential which varies drive to the front or rear axle - to maximise traction and efficiency in various conditions.
Pedal to the metal, the SRT8 will slingshot you to the next light in a pace that belies its capacious look. And more often than not, our sardine-packed traffic will only allow you to munch through the first two cog swops before punching down the Brembo stoppers to turn all the velocity (or ferocity) into waste energy.
While the engine block provides endless stream of linear and potent power, the letdown of the drivetrain lies in the five-speed gearbox. The conventional torque converter dispatches the swops with delay, lacking the intuitiveness of those from its rivalling Germans.
While the SRT8 may paint a bullish image with its herculean 6.4-litre V8, it comes with smart traction trickeries - a sport differential which varies drive to the front or rear axle - to maximise traction and efficiency in various conditions.
Pedal to the metal, the SRT8 will slingshot you to the next light in a pace that belies its capacious look. And more often than not, our sardine-packed traffic will only allow you to munch through the first two cog swops before punching down the Brembo stoppers to turn all the velocity (or ferocity) into waste energy.
While the engine block provides endless stream of linear and potent power, the letdown of the drivetrain lies in the five-speed gearbox. The conventional torque converter dispatches the swops with delay, lacking the intuitiveness of those from its rivalling Germans.
It is hard to justify that the SRT8 isn't all about straight line speed, because rules of physics will intervene when you try to put the 2.3 tonne mammoth through the corners at speed. There is also no doubt the weighted steering will do well with better feedback too.
Conclusion
It is cars like the Cherokee SRT8 which fill our motoring lives with blasts of flavours. The real purpose of this genre of cars may be questionable, but nevertheless will serve its masters well in stealing jealous grimaces from outsiders.
Being the less mainstream brand in town also means that it scores high on exclusivity. And if you ask us, perhaps that's the most appealing attribute above all.
Conclusion
It is cars like the Cherokee SRT8 which fill our motoring lives with blasts of flavours. The real purpose of this genre of cars may be questionable, but nevertheless will serve its masters well in stealing jealous grimaces from outsiders.
Being the less mainstream brand in town also means that it scores high on exclusivity. And if you ask us, perhaps that's the most appealing attribute above all.
