Jeep’s most powerful model – the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 – has had the brakes applied to its Australian release owing to supply issues.
The American performance SUV was due to launch locally in late May but a stock shortage from its US plant means the Grand Cherokee SRT8 won’t arrive now until August.
The delay is relatively short but will be frustrating for the 250 Australians who have already placed an order for the flagship Jeep that is powered by a 6.4-litre ‘Hemi’ V8 with 351kW and 630Nm.
Chrysler Group, parent company of the Jeep brand, has already revealed that Australia is set to grab a quarter of the 4000 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 models that will be built annually.
The SRT8 will further bolster impressive sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has made a significant contribution to the 4WD brand’s growth in Australia. Jeep sales to March 2012 have grown 136 per cent.
Jeep has been the only positive for the Chrysler Group so far in Australia this year, with the Chrysler brand itself plummeting 93 per cent year on year and Dodge falling by 23 per cent. Dodge is expected to be axed from the Australian market.
The current Jeep Grand Cherokee line-up was launched in early 2011 and comprises three trim levels – Laredo, Limited and Overland – with a V6 petrol, V6 turbo diesel and 5.7-litre V8 available depending on model.
Jeep’s SRT – Street Racing Technology – variant sits 30mm lower than other Grand Cherokees and features more aggressive styling cues, and includes a different spoiler and diffuser-style rear bumper.
Jeep says the Grand Cherokee SRT8 will accelerate from 0-97km/h (0-60mph) in 4.8 seconds.
Jeep Australia will reveal more specification and pricing details closer to the vehicle’s launch. The previous Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 was priced from $85,990.