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Hennessey Powers Up the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600
by Lisa Ziegler
There is no question about the power that John Hennessey's highly modified cars delivers. In addition to his 800 hp twin turbo Viper and Ram SRT10 is a 620 hp turbocharged all wheel drive Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600.
Hennessey Performance Engineering are not used to low or average power performance so they added to the SRT8's already terrifying 420 hp V8 an extra 200 hp which they offer as part of the $27,900 SRT600 package which is available for any 6.1 or 5.7liter Hemi producing a jaw dropping 550 horsepower. It will also come with a two-year engine warranty. The extra power of the Cherokee SRT600 is made possible by a Garrett turbo that is strategically positioned underneath the transmission creating six pounds of boost, an air-to-air intercooler, and an upgraded fuel-pump-and-pressure regulator.
The rods and pistons of the Cherokee SRT600 were also replaced while the engine is bored out slightly by adding 59cc resulting to a reduction on the compression ratio from 10.3:1 to 9.5. The factory computer was also reprogrammed to boost fuel delivery and to enable the throttle to open all the way. The reason for this is that stock SRT8s electronically limits the throttle to 75 percent in first gear and according to Hennessey the throttle mod alone is worth 0.1 second in acceleration times.
Most tuners just can't resist wasting thousands on changing the Jeep bumper, wheels, interior upgrades, and body kits but leaving out everything else on the Jeep. But then again the Jeep is a remarkable vehicle on its own and doesn't really require for too much modification. It is equipped with supportive seats and direct steering and doesn't understeer like other SUVs. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT600 is a great vehicle for tuners to tinker since it can withstand additional power upgrade. Hennessey was not the least worried when it added 200 hp to the Cherokee SRT600.
The SRT600 with its additional 200 hp power upgrade makes it the world's quickest SUV and Hennessey assures that it is tamable as long as you only try to step into the first two or so millimeters of throttle doing more than that will awaken the wave of potent torque that the SRT600 contains. But if want to unleash the real power of the Hennessey Cherokee SRT600 then simply stab the throttle and you will rev up the Jeep in a heart-stopping power that it seems as though the front wheels might lift off the ground. Actually that's a little exaggeration but a word of caution the steering does get light enough to make you nervous of the beast's flight.
Plus even if the SRT600 is an all-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission launching such powerful machine requires for great care. Drivers are advised to take just the right amount of brake torque and throttle-and-brake tap dance. Once you get it right there would be some real wheel spin before it completely hooks up and once it did prepare to brace yourself for a face-distorting explosion to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds which is followed by a heart-pounding 12.2 second quarter-mile time. The SRT600 is 0.8 second quicker to 60 mph and a second faster through the quarter than the 420hp Jeep. It can also reach 130 mph in a matter of 8.4 seconds.
About the Author
Lisa Ziegler is a 29-year old native of Waldport, Oregon and is currently working as a senior research analyst in a top Automotive Research Consultancy firm.
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