Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Performance Vehicles Impress Robb Report

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 ranks high in Robb Report's annual 'Car of the Year' list
• Both Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 make Robb Report's 'Best of the Best: 2012' list

The international luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Report recently selected the Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 as one of the top performers in its annual "Car of the Year" competition—ranking the high-performance SUV from the Chrysler Group at No. 9 amongst new vehicles from around the world.  

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 also was cited by the magazine for the "Best of the Best: 2012: Sport Utility Vehicles" list, while the Chrysler 300 SRT8 made the list of "Best of the Best: 2012: Sedans."

Robb Report readers were among the judges who joined the magazine's editors and writers in driving, evaluating and ranking the "Car of the Year" and "Best of the Best" vehicles based on interior design, layout, amenities and luxury features.

"The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is proof that an American-made SUV can dish out the performance, looks and quality to run with the biggest dogs from Europe and do it at half the price, leaving enough change to hitch something really nice to the back," Robert Ross, Robb Report's automotive consultant, said.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 builds upon the most-awarded SUV ever to become the most powerful, technologically advanced, high-performance Jeep vehicle ever featuring a combination of the Jeep brand's legendary capability and utility, merged with the renowned advanced performance engineering from the SRT team.

The luxurious interior features the SRT-exclusive, leather-wrapped and heated, flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters; standard SRT-styled Nappa leather and suede seats with sculpted bolsters that are both heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front); real carbon-fiber interior accents; and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. On the street or at the race track, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is one of the fastest SUVs in the world, churning out 470 horsepower from its 6.4-liter HEMI^® V-8 engine.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 also impressed the Robb Report judges with its high-performance capabilities.

"The Chrysler 300 SRT8 takes an American favorite and equips it with a serious performance personality," Ross said. "It's at home with great European sports sedans, but the potent HEMI V-8 reminds drivers they're behind the wheel of a modern American muscle car."

The Chrysler brand's flagship performance sedan features an interior environment that combines world-class luxury accommodations with performance-oriented technology and appointments with the leather-wrapped, flat-bottom, heated SRT-exclusive steering wheel with paddle shifters; heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front) seats; 8.4-inch Electronic Vehicle Information Center touchscreen display with SRT-exclusive performance pages; along with real carbon fiber accents. The Chrysler 300 SRT8 also is powered by the 470 horsepower, 6.4-liter HEMI.

"We're honored to have two of our 2012 SRT vehicles recognized by Robb Report," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO—SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. "At SRT, we strive to deliver high-quality, high-performance vehicles; and so to be acknowledged for these significant awards, it reaffirms our successful formula to develop top contenders that compete well with other high-performance vehicles from around the world."

About the 2012 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8

The most powerful, technologically advanced, high-performance Jeep vehicle ever – the all-new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 – delivers a combination of Jeep's legendary capability and utility, merged with the renowned advanced performance engineering from SRT.

Delivering outstanding driving performance in all conditions, and complemented by key SRT attributes – including functional, performance-oriented styling, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking and race-inspired interior appointments – the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 broadens the Jeep vehicle lineup and builds upon the successful launch of the award-winning 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 in the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 delivers 470 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque – an improvement of 50 horsepower and 45 lb.-ft. torque over the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces. Performance includes 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, quarter mile in the mid-13 second range, top speed of 160 mph, and braking power from 60-0 mph in 116 feet.

About the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

The success of the modern Chrysler 300 launched in 2005 can be attributed to its broad appeal. People of all ages, incomes and lifestyles were attracted to the sedan's dramatic styling, power and performance.

As the king of the Chrysler Brand E-segment lineup, the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 adds high-performance hardware to the elegant proportions and head turning design to provide the ultimate combination of world-class luxury, power and handling. With 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8, the 300 SRT8 is targeted at customers that seek heart pounding, adrenaline filled excitement, but don't want to sacrifice comfort and innovative features to get it.

Performance numbers for the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter mile in the high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds; top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

About SRT

The Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.

The expansion of the SRT vehicle lineup in 2012 features four new products that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. These products include the Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Making its highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market in late 2012 is the new 2013 SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS. The SRT flagship performance machines arrive with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC