The Jeep brand is on a roll lately as just a couple of months after the
launch of the Jeep Compass, Jeep Glenmarie has finally opened the floodgates to more American models that we've never gotten. Now under the new management of GVE Asia, Jeep Glenmarie has made the Grand Cherokee SRT and the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk available for the Malaysian market.
Jeeps are rather quirky when you go into detail. For one, if you look into the lamps of the Cherokee, you'll find yourself a tiny Willy's Jeep stamped into the housing. Also, the seven slats for the front grille has a story behind it. Rumor has it that the seven slats represent the seven continents of the globe. So, since Jeep was a vehicle used in the war, it is theorized that Jeep was the first car to be on all seven continents.
Before we get into the details and specifications of the models, the Grand Cherokee SRT and Trackhawk are currently the only two variants of the Grand Cherokee that Jeep Glenmarie offers. Apart from the Grand Cherokee, the other models are the Compass, Renegade, Cherokee and the beloved Wrangler. However, we aren't complaining about the variants as these are some of the most interesting SUVs to ever be sold in Malaysia.
Take The SRT to the Streets.
In a world where SUVs and crossovers are at high demand, it seems rather appropriate to have big fast SUVs, especially for a brand like Jeep. See, Jeep only makes SUVs that make off-roading seem like your normal route to send your kids to school. However, what if you stuff in a 475hp engine with 644Nm of torque into the 4X4's engine bay? You'd get the Grand Cherokee SRT.
The SRT by far has one of the biggest engines ever fitted to a passenger car on Malaysian roads. A petrol-powered 6.4-litre HEMI V8 that drives all-four wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. You also have customizable drive modes with Jeep's Selec-Trac adaptive damping system with track, sport, auto, snow and tow. The SRT too comes with Hill Start Assist as standard.
With a large fuel tank comes an expensive fuel bill? The SRT has a massive fuel tank of 93L. However, if you are the type of person who is ever so concerned about the fuel consumption of the SRT, then this isn't the SUV for you. The combined city and highway fuel consumption of the SRT is around 15.7l/100km. But, with exhaust notes that are somewhat similar to an apex predator, I doubt you'll mind.
As standard, you get yourself the signature LED headlamps, keyless entry, run flat tires, blind spot monitoring, ParkView rear back-up camera and a parallel and perpendicular park assist. As for the infotainment system, Jeep's UConnect 4C NAV with 8.4-inch display is included which features GPS navigation with integrated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
Along with your infotainment screen, the SRT gets a Harman Kardon 825-watt Premium Audio System with 19 Speakers and 10-inch Subwoofer with the added feature of active noise cancellation. The SRT also has Jeep's CommandView Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof, Heated and Ventilated Front Seats and Heated 2nd-Row Seats with Air-Conditioning with Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control.
In terms of safety, the SRT receives 7 Airbags, including advanced multistage driver and front-passenger, side-curtain, supplemental front-seat side and driver inflatable knee bolster. The seat too has Accent Stitching and SRT logo in black. As for brakes, the red Brembo brakes are a standard feature tucked behind 20” Black Satin Aluminum. All of this combined is RM719,000.
The Hellcat Underneath, The Trackhawk.
Finally, one of the most insane SUVs to ever be made has reached our shores, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. In case you're unaware of the Trackhawk, the name Hellcat may ring a few bells. Yep, Dodge's Charger and Challenger Hellcat! Underneath the hood lies a 6.2-litre HEMI V8, but wait, that's smaller than the SRT. That's true, however, the Trackhawk receives a supercharger that produces a whopping 707hp with 875Nm of torque.
Despite the big numbers that the Trackhawk produces, that is the only major difference from the SRT. Almost everything else is identical to the SRT apart from a few more details in the interior that reminds you that you are driving something special. However, the Trackhawk does get Ventilated Laguna Leather with Tungsten Accent Stitching and Trackhawk logo in black. The Trackhawk is now on sale at RM869,000.
For more details regarding the Grand Cherokee and other Jeep models, check out Jeep Glenmarie here.
Written by | Danial Malek
