Jeep Grand Cherokee flesh here at the New York Auto Show. It is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour and runs from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds.
Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley had said he would have a hard time keeping a smile off his face when the SRT8 comes out.
However, it's hard to argue with the numbers and the smiles on our own faces after seeing the thing. Under the hood sits a new 6.4-liter Hemi V8, which produces 465-horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. That's an improvement of 45 units in both categories.
SRT8 adds sporty exterior upgrades compared with standard Grand Cherokee. Glowing LED lights and chrome accents pop in the front fascia. Under the bulging fenders sit a set of somewhat fussy 20-inch wheels wrapped with sticky Pirelli P Zero run flat tires while, out back, the massive four-inch exhaust tips promise a menacing bark.
Sports-car inspired touches continue inside the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8. Paddle-shifters sitting on the steering column help the driver gain an extra ounce of control. That driver will be held in place thanks to the leather and Alcantara-covered seats. Sitting between the speedometer and tach is the Performance Pages display, which is an invitation to constantly try to set new "high scores."
The 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the fastest Jeep ever produced. Mr. Manley cited that, though the top speed is limited to 155 mph, "you may know somebody...". We hope that we'll get to know this SRT8 real soon. High-res gallery below, press release waiting after the jump.