Friday 30th January 2015

Jeep Cherokee SRT 'Red Vapor' launched

Just in case you were worried everything is turning hybrid and EV...

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File this one under 'guilty pleasures'. Yes, it's a Jeep and, yes, the name is spelt incorrectly but it also has a 465hp Hemi V8 and will do 160mph.

Believe it or not, there is actually a Grand Cherokee SRT8 already for sale in the UK. Nope, not the old 6.1 that sometimes crops up in the classifieds but the new Grand with all those grille vents and 6,417cc of V8 muscle.

Well of course it ain't subtle

This Red Vapor is mechanically identical to the standard SRT8 (including 0-60 in five seconds!) but more, er, red. In the best American tradition, there are suitably powerful names for all equipment. That paint is not just red, it's Redline. It's used for body coloured parts (door handles, arch flares and sill extensions) that presumably aren't normally. And if that's a bit too much, the Red Vapor is available in Bright White and Brilliant Black. Oh. The 20-inch wheels are of 'Goliath' design.

Inside there's more red (Radar Red suede with red stitching) and a backlit steering wheel SRT badge. Nice. Perhaps the most ridiculous part of the Jeep's interior though, is the sound system. It's by Harman Kardon and uses 19 speakers with three (!) subwoofers. Should you prefer a V8 woofle to accompany your journey, that system uses Active Noise Cancellation to "counter any low frequency engine noises".

Now of course the SRT8 Red Vapor won't sell massively over here. It's amazing that Jeep can even justify its existence. Something about that curio status makes it more appealing though. It costs £64,999 and is on sale now. Rivals? A Cayenne GTS is £72K but £65K will only buy an HSE Dynamic SDV6 Range Rover Sport. One to revisit in a few years as a Spotted perhaps.

[alexpa]

What's the (real) mpg? or should i put it another way.. I hope it's got a v large fuel tank.

[jay140285]

As a driver of Jeeps, I bloody love that. They all have their place, yes its not going to be an off roader like many Jeeps WK / WK's are but I would take that any day over a RRS or Porsche.

[6cyl]

Somehow it could be even sillier. Just make it with the Hellcat engine ...

[After_Shock]

Driven a few SRT8 Jeeps in the middle east with the 6.4, great all round drive, doesn't feel as quick as the performance figures suggest however and the fuel economy, well, just don't ask. But great noise, not a bad looker for a 4x4 and a decent family car.

[rj1986]

Nobody buys this car with even the vaguest hint of being sensible or economical...

Where's my nearest dealer, and loan shark?

Added bonus, can convince SWIMBO that it'll be safe for the kids and trips to ikea.

[soad]

Ferrari red? Looks familiar.

[hondansx]

Should have given it that 700bhp engine they do. Let's face it, you've got to be pretty mental to buy one, so may as well go the whole hog...

[pu51man]

Pick mine up tomorrow. Got fed up of being messed around by lazy LandRover salesman on RRS S/C. Stumbled across this two weeks ago and the rest is history. Saved a load of dosh to boot not as that was the issue but it all helps.. Before it is said, yes it aint a Rangey but time will soon tell if double the price does realy get you double the car. Very soon I will have my own opinion on that first hand. So I suggest those that have not tried them both should hold their breath until you have done so.
So now what do I do with the extra dosh other than spending it on all that petrol and extra donations to Green Peace.

[B17NNS]

pu51man said:

Pick mine up tomorrow.

Pics please and congratulations. Love the current Grand Cherokee. This one makes me love them even more.

[DonkeyApple]

This is stupid. And therefor a good thing.

[J4CKO]

"Spoonerise" that, and appropriately its "VED Rapor"

[pu51man]

If you go to www.beechdale.co.uk and search under Jeep they are still advertising it with loads of pictures.

[B17NNS]

pu51man said:

If you go to www.beechdale.co.uk and search under Jeep they are still advertising it with loads of pictures.

if Satan needed an SUV!

Looks ace. Enjoy

[edinph]

Maybe Jaguar Land Rover will get the hint and dump all the diesels! Give us proper grunt from petrol! I'd love a Jaguar XF Estate.................... but NOT with a diesel!

[oldtimer2]

Suitably flashy - no self respecting manufacturer can be seen without such a product these days. Jeep are going great guns at the moment and are working the paint and trim variations to good effect.

[cib24]

Man, this with the Hellcat supercharged hemi putting out over 700 horsepower would be SICK. I have seen the older SRT-8 Jeep's run 12 second quarter miles with a simple aftermarket header-back exhaust system and a remap...

[Cotic]

edinph said:

Maybe Jaguar Land Rover will get the hint and dump all the diesels! Give us proper grunt from petrol! I'd love a Jaguar XF Estate.................... but NOT with a diesel!

You're aware that this exists?

[anonymous-user]

edinph said:

Maybe Jaguar Land Rover will get the hint and dump all the diesels! Give us proper grunt from petrol! I'd love a Jaguar XF Estate.................... but NOT with a diesel!

RR Sport RS and the Jag XF RS estate not grunty enough for you?

[dave_s13]

alexpa said:

What's the (real) mpg? or should i put it another way.. I hope it's got a v large fuel tank.

advert said:

Fuel consumption (urban) 13.6 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 28.0 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 20.2 mpg

I'm guessing it's gonna be averaging around 10(ish), real world.

I know petrols got cheap but still.....Cool car though!

[RumbleOfThunder]

Maybe this one will pass the Moose test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaYFLb8WMGM