The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT could return after disappearing following the 2021 model year, with Jeep executives signaling that a high-performance version remains under consideration. Jeep Vice President of Sales Mauricio Lopez said that “absolutely everything is on the table” when asked about a high-performance Grand Cherokee, while SRT chief Tim Kuniskis has raised expectations about what could come from a powertrain perspective.
Supercharged HEMI Could Power a New Grand Cherokee SRT
The prospect of a new SRT model has raised the possibility of Jeep using the supercharged HEMI to create an exceptionally powerful Grand Cherokee. The engine could potentially help Jeep challenge the 717-horsepower Aston Martin DBX S for the title of Most Powerful Combustion SUV in the World.
With factory-supported tuning, the Grand Cherokee could even surpass the 801-hp Lamborghini Urus SE plug-in hybrid, according to the scenario outlined in the original report.
Jeep SRT Could Follow Ram’s High-Performance SUV
Tim Kuniskis has spearheaded the push for Stellantis to offer more V8 engines, while his tenure has also included the return of the TRX badge. The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 is also expected to expand beyond the Ram 1500.
Ram’s first-ever SUV is expected to arrive as a Rumble Bee-powered model producing 777 horsepower, with the potential for 900 hp using Direct Connection upgrades. That possibility could provide a blueprint for Jeep to develop its own high-performance SUV.
A Grand Cherokee SRT could feature all-wheel drive, retuned suspension, significantly upgraded brakes, a reinforced transmission and distinctive exterior and interior styling. With power sent to all four wheels, it could potentially accelerate faster than the Ram pickup.
Ram Could Complicate a Trackhawk Return
While Ram’s use of the supercharged HEMI creates opportunities for other Stellantis performance models, it also presents a challenge for Jeep. The possibility of similar high-performance products across the company’s brands raises questions about how clearly each model would be differentiated.
Jeep’s statement that “anything is on the table,” rather than a direct confirmation that an SRT model is returning, may reflect that concern. Jeep has increasingly been positioned as a luxury off-road brand, making a supercharged SRT variant a different proposition from simply bringing a V8 back to the Grand Cherokee lineup.
A similar high-performance offering carrying a Ram badge could make the return of a hardcore Grand Cherokee SRT more difficult to justify within Stellantis’ lineup.
Grand Cherokee SRT Return Remains Unconfirmed
The possibility of a new SRT Grand Cherokee comes as Stellantis has shifted its approach under Antonio Filosa. Before former CEO Carlos Tavares left the company, Stellantis had been pushing toward electric vehicles, a strategy described in the source as unpopular and associated with financial troubles.
The Trump administration has also rolled back fuel economy standards for the foreseeable future, although that situation may not last forever. Against that backdrop, Jeep could have an opportunity to introduce a high-performance Grand Cherokee while it can.
Installing a supercharged V8 in the WL Grand Cherokee, which first appeared in 2021, could provide a way to deliver that performance while extending the life of the existing model. Jeep, however, has not confirmed the return of the Grand Cherokee SRT or a new Trackhawk.
