The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted last week, but we've got a first look at the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The real exciting news? We're told it'll get the 500 HP+ 6.4-liter crate HEMI.
If the rest of the world's like us, then HELL YEAH! We're entering into big-time rumor territory here, but there is a glimmer of hope for both Jeep and SRT fans alike. We've heard from a source deep within Chrysler that things have been humming along quietly in the SRT garage as engineers work hard to develop the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 as a 2012 model.
The biggest news we've received is the high-po Jeep will receive the 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 with anywhere between 505-525 tire burning horsepower and roughly 510 ft-lbs of torque, all driven through a revised AWD system. The 392 HEMI has also been rumored to show up in other 2010 SRT8 models, but we're guessing it'll arrive first in the mid-cycle refresh for both the Challenger and Charger in 2011.
If the above sketches are anything to go by, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be a subtle beast with lowered, sportier suspension, beefy SRT 5-spoke wheels, larger diameter rotors with grippy multi-piston calipers, revised front and rear fascias, a functional cold air induction cowl hood and a larger spoiler out back. We like what we're seeing, but like GM's performance shop, we'll have to wait and see whether or not Chrysler can muster the cash to put out another answer to a question nobody really asked.