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11 May 2017

CHEROKEE SRT BEATS HEMI-POWERED HOT ROD AT FAMOUS SANTA POD

Jeep has once again demonstrated the awesome 6.4-litre V8 HEMI-engined Grand Cherokee SRT by taking it to the home of UK drag racing, Santa Pod, and testing it against a retro HEMI-engined Hot Rod Coupe in a head-to-head quarter-mile dash.

CHEROKEE SRT BEATS HEMI-POWERED HOT ROD AT FAMOUS SANTA POD
  • Current UK drag racing champion beat the HEMI-powered Hot Rod in epic dragster battle
  • Event held at Santa Pod Raceway, Europe's premier drag strip
  • Jeep's range-topping Grand Cherokee SRT clocked 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and reached speeds of 103mph on the quarter mile straight
  • Watch the on-track action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u35ayJHXwas&feature=youtu.be
  • Grand Cherokee SRT costs £69,830 OTR

Jeep has once again demonstrated the awesome 6.4-litre V8 HEMI-engined Grand Cherokee SRT by taking it to the home of UK drag racing, Santa Pod, and testing it against a retro HEMI-engined Hot Rod Coupe in a head-to-head quarter-mile dash.

On one of the most famous drag strips in the world, UK drag racing champion Stuart Doignie launched the Jeep off the start line and down the quarter-mile straight in 13.5 seconds, defeating the Coupe, driven by Kelvin Dunn, by just 0.9 seconds.

Delivering a massive 468hp and packed full of high-performance technologies including Launch Control, Doignie helped the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT register an impressive 0-62mph speed of 4.5 seconds while covering the 1320ft stretch in less than 14 seconds.

"I was hugely impressed by the raw power and speed of the Grand Cherokee SRT," said Doignie.

"I've driven plenty of dragster vehicles at Santa Pod but never a car built purely for the road. It's immensely quick off the line and powered through the finish gantry. It was an epically close race with the HEMI Coupe but I was glad to keep up my great record at Santa Pod with another win."

It's the second time the Grand Cherokee SRT has come out victorious in a full-throttle race against unfamiliar opposition following last year's victory against an aerobatic twister plane at Blyton Park race track. Watch the SRT vs plane here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBLxyu9B9Ws

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Watch the epic race here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u35ayJHXwas&feature=youtu.be

Roomy and comfortable, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT's refined cabin features race-inspired technology and exclusive appointments. Standard equipment includes a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with mounted paddle-shifters and a power tilt and telescoping steering column.

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) controls are accessible from the steering wheel and feature SRT-exclusive Performance Pages - a distinctive functionality specific to racing technology including information such as horsepower, torque, 0-62mph time, 62-0 mph braking distance, g-forces, and covered distance times.

SRT-styled Nappa leather and suede seats, with sculpted bolsters and adjustable active front headrests, provide all the comfort for daily drives and the necessary hold to keep driver and passengers in place during spirited driving. The two front seats feature embroidered SRT logo and contrast stitching. Standard heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front) seats provide additional comfort to occupants. A perforated leather-wrapped shift knob, carbon fibre accents, leather-wrapped instrument panel and door trim panels and bright, racing style brake and throttle pedal pads add to the refined, performance oriented look inside the cabin.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Santa Pod
Santa Pod is the most famous drag racing track outside America, attracting the best drivers and race teams in European Drag Racing and affectionately known as the 'POD'. Santa Pod has earned the reputation as the home of European Drag Racing, which features the most powerful car and bike engines in the world.

About Stuart Doignie
At the age of 14, Stuart persuaded his father to create a purpose built drag car, choosing a 1950's Ford Pop powered by a 7-Litre Oldsmobile engine. The car debuted in 1999 with Stuart's father at the wheel, gaining some success in numerous classes. In 2001 Stuart himself took over a share of the driving and the pair won the Santa Pod Super Street championship. The fastest time for the car covering the strip was 9.7 seconds at 136mph.

In 2002 Stuart decided to get a drag car of his own and built a V8 BMW E30. The car took to the track in 2003 and won on its first outing at the FIA Main Event.

In 2013, it was time for a new adventure and Stuart went into partnership with best friend, Tim Lane, to find their new dragster. Based on all of their learning, the pair wanted a car that was capable of winning championships, and they certainly got that with the 1972 Vauxhall Victor that they put together.

When unleashed on track, the 1972 Vauxhall Victor runs the quarter mile distance in just 8.4seconds, topping speeds of 162mph. After technical issues took them out of the European Finals in 2014, Stuart got back on track in 2015 and 2016, winning both National and Santa Pod Championship across two different classes.

About the HEMI Coupe
Kelvin Dunn purchased his HEMI Coupe as a bone stock 1930 Ford model A Coupe. It was subsequently stripped down and mounted to a modified 1932 Ford chassis, with the old 4 motor replaced with a 1956 330cu-in Desoto Hemi V8.

The HEMI engine has been rebuilt and fitted with triple carbs and an uprated cam. The Coupe runs a quarter mile drag strip in an impressive 14 seconds, frequently displaying its speed at the Hotrod Drags and NSRA Nostalgia Nationals at Shakespeare County race way.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeepUK

Twitter: @Jeep_UK

Instagram: @jeep_uk

For further information please contact:
Tom Johnston, Press Relations Manager
Kate Saxton, Public Relations Director
FIAT Chrysler Automobiles UK Ltd
Tel: 01753 511431
Fax: 01753 516871
E-mail addresses: tom.johnston@fcagroup.com  kate.saxton@fcagroup.com

 

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