2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: Up Close

More 2011 New York Auto Show Coverage

The SRT8’s 20-inch wheels house a tour de force of braking, with massive 15-inch front discs with six-piston Brembo calipers — as big as the wheels on the Nissan Versa debuting at the stand next door. I like that Jeep stuck with dual tailpipes in back. Quads may have been justifiable given the SRT8’s monster drivetrain, but they often look cheesy.

Cottrell doesn’t expect many Grand Cherokee SRT8 customers to take theirs to the racetrack, though he said the adaptive suspension’s Track mode goes full-tilt toward the performance side. That suggests the car will appeal to SUV drivers who just want serious power.

The 465-horsepower SRT8 should deliver just that. Jeep says it hits 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, which beats the 5.7-liter Grand Cherokee by nearly 3 seconds, Cottrell said. That’s about even with the outgoing Grand Cherokee SRT8, but given the 2012 model weighs another 331 pounds — and should get 2 mpg better on the highway — it’s impressive.