Jeep uncovers the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 packing 465 hp

Following a one-year hiatus, Jeep is returning the fire-breathing Grand Cherokee SRT8 to the lineup for 2012, which made its world debut at the New York Auto Show.

Central to the changes is a new 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 465 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque--a 45-hp and 45-lb-ft improvement over the outgoing 6.1-liter unit.

Jeep says the SRT8 is good to hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, cover the quarter-mile in the mid-13-second range and reach a top speed of 155 mph. A five-speed automatic transmission helps route power to all four wheels with a manual-shift mode offered through the standard steering-wheel-mounted paddles or center console shifter.

However, Jeep also made an effort to improve fuel efficiency with an active valve exhaust system enabling four-cylinder operation over a wider rev range. The result, according to Jeep, is a 13 percent increase in highway fuel economy (2010 SRT8s were rated at 16 mpg highway).

Ride and handling improvements come courtesy of the body's 146 percent increase in torsional stiffness and a standard adaptive damping suspension, which is controlled by the SRT8's new Selec-Track system. With five different settings (auto, sport, tow, track and snow), the Selec-Track system adjusts stability control, damping, transmission shifts, torque proportioning, throttle response and electronic limited-slip differential for optimal performance according to conditions.

All of the handling improvements, together with beefier 295/45ZR-20 Pirelli PZero tires (up from the previous staggered 255/45R-20 front, 285/40R-20 rear Goodyear Eagle RSA), have Jeep calling the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 its best-handling vehicle to date, capable of pulling 0.90 g on the skidpad.

To put the clamps on everything, Brembo brakes are employed with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

Visually, the SRT8 sets itself part from lower Grand Cherokee models with a one-piece front fascia with LED daytime running lights, a body-colored grille with black mesh backing, sculpted hood with dual vents, body-color wheel flares and rear spoiler. The cabin has a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with a flat bottom, deeply bolstered leather seats with suede inserts and carbon-fiber accent trim. A dual-pane sunroof is available as an option.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 rumbles into showrooms during the third quarter of 2011. Pricing hasn't been announced, but with all of the additional standard features, it wouldn't be far-fetched to expect the new model to come in at more than the 2010 model's base price of $44,105.

By Jonathan Wong