Jeep Grand Cherokee with 420bhp launched

• Grand Cherokee SRT-8 gets 6.1-litre V8
• 420bhp engine powers car to 152mph
• Fuel consumption of just 17.2mpg

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A superfast new Grand Cherokee is now on offer from Jeep.

The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is powered by a 6.1-litre V8 petrol engine that develops 420bhp.

The huge output allows the £40,585 Cherokee to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.0sec and achieve a top speed of 152mph.

As a comparison, the £70,870 Porsche Cayenne Turbo takes 0.8sec longer to reach 62mph from a standstill, but is faster overall at 165mph.

Besides the £6050 premium over the next most expensive 5.7-litre Cherokee, there's also a price to pay at the pump. Fuel consumption is just 17.2mpg on the combined cycle - 0.8mpg worse than the Porsche.

That works out at £3000 of fuel if you do 12,000 miles a year.

The SRT-8 has a new front bumper that Jeep says reduces drag and increases engine cooling. New side sills and bumpers are also fitted, along with 20-inch alloy wheels. Suspension has been stiffened, the ride height lowered by 25mm and brakes upgraded.