Rising fuel costs have many automakers rethinking their SUV offerings, but Jeep appears to be pressing ahead full speed with an update to its Grand Cherokee SRT-8. It’s not clear exactly what changes the engineers at Chrysler have in store for the 425 horsepower SUV, although it appears the front end will be restyled and a few new options will be added.
Although the engineers made it nearly impossible to get a clear look at the back, our photos do show a pretty significant changes – the exhaust has been moved from the center and is now integrated into the rear bumper on each side. That – and the fact that this prototype is pulling a trailer – leads us to believe that the SRT8 Grand Cherokee will be offered – for the first time – with a towing package.
Although several updates to the 2009 Grand Cherokee have already been made public, we have not heard any rumors about the changes we show here – so we’re not sure if it will be available this coming fall – or midway through the model year.
Given that engineers tried so hard to prevent our photographers from snapping photos, we suspect there are some pretty significant changes in store for the SRT model.
06/24, 12:45 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I don’t care that it sucks fuel faster than the space shuttle launch rockets, this thing is f*cking awesome. Of all the SRTs, the Grand Cherokee really stands out from its lesser siblings.
06/24, 12:47 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
My step mom has a red STR8 Jeep. its amazing. i love driving it when i visit home.
06/24, 12:50 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Okay, it’s late enough in the day that LLN should have run a Camaro story by now. Where’s our daily Camaro story???
06/24, 1:00 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Great truck, 6-8 years late. As they say: “day late and dollar short”
06/24, 1:30 PM
posted by:
Max460
what is the guy with the white shirt doing? it looks like chicken noodle soup
06/24, 1:45 PM
posted by:
shoptime
I’m not sure how it’s late???
They had a 360 ci v8 in these years ago… 6-8 I believe.
So the concept is old, and still hot.
06/24, 1:47 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Hmm my guess is that they are shaving off the round parts and giving it rectangular like headlamps, it seems to be there current design, they did it to the Magnum before they killed, it. Charger, Avenger, Journey all seem to have this look.
Even though it’s a Jeep, I’d expect the whole Chrysler portfolio will get this look.
06/24, 1:47 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
their*
06/24, 1:49 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
I agree, Joshy. I like driving your mom’s Jeep the minute you leave to go back to your job dropping fish in the oil at Long John Silver’s.
-
“Joshy! Fry more hush puppies!!”
06/24, 5:59 PM
posted by:
bolex
i agree johnnycanuck, the SRT’s are awesome and i hope high gas doesnt force Chrysler to shut them down. love to get my hands on the Magnum SRT…..
06/24, 10:28 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
bolex: I’d love to get my hands on one as well but chances are the other bodily imprints wouldn’t be so well received.
06/25, 3:03 AM
posted by:
The Stig
Nice pull on the Lexus LS exhaust tips.
06/25, 11:11 AM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Yeah I liked the center duals that it has now. Looks nice on it.