14 Sep 2016

LAND VS AIR: JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT DEFEATS AEROBATIC TWISTER PLANE IN ‘ULTIMATE’ HOT LAP

Jeep's high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT races aerobatic plane around course
Stunt inspired by HEMI engine's 'fighter plane' heritage
Grand Cherokee SRT and plane hit speeds of 140mph
Race took place around Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire
View all the action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBLxyu9B9Ws
Starting price for Grand Cherokee SRT: £66,865 OTR

Jeep has displayed the raw power and speed of its 6.4L V8 HEMI engined Grand Cherokee SRT by becoming the first 4x4 vehicle to race a plane around a track - and winning.

The Jeep vs plane challenge was inspired by the origins of the HEMI engine which was first developed for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, and is now, in its latest form, housed under the bonnet of the Grand Cherokee SRT.

Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincolnshire, hosted the head-to-head around its 1.8 mile circuit and saw both car and plane reach speeds in excess of 140 mph. While the Grand Cherokee SRT tackled the race track, the Silence SA1100 Twister plane navigated around seven-metre high pylons, as they both attempted to reach the chequered flag first.

Capable of reaching 0-62mph in less the five seconds, the 6.4L V8 HEMI powered Grand Cherokee SRT delivers a massive 461hp, and is packed full of high-performance technologies including launch control, Selec-Trac transmission and air-cooled 6 piston Brembo brake callipers which have a stopping distance of 116ft from 60-0mph.

The Grand Cherokee SRT was driven by Ed Morris - the youngest ever British driver to compete at Le Mans 24 hour, while the Silence SA1100 Twister plane was flown by Peter Wells, a specialist aerobatic pilot with over 25 years of flying experience.

View the race here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBLxyu9B9Ws

Vital statistics

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT	Vs	Silence SA1100 Twister
Price: £65,995		Price: £110,000
Engine: 6.4 litre V8 HEMI		Engine: UL260ISA
Power: 461 BHP		Power: 110 BHP
0-62mph: Five seconds		0-62mph: 4 seconds plus minus in the air 12 seconds standing start
Top Speed: 160 MPH		Top Speed: 178 MPH
Number of seats: Five		Number of seats: One
Luggage: Hatchback 35.1 cu ft		Luggage: 9M cubic capacity
Special skills: High performance SUV with Launch Control		Special skills: Loop the loop and corkscrews

To find out more about Jeep and the Grand Cherokee SRT visit: http://www.jeep.com/en/grand-cherokee-srt

END

Notes to Editors

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeepUK
Twitter: @Jeep_UK
Instagram: @jeep_uk

For further information please contact:

Tom Johnston, Press Relations Manager
Puneet Joshi, Public Relations Officer
Kate Saxton, Public Relations Director
FIAT Chrysler Automobiles UK Ltd
Tel: 01753 511431
Fax: 01753 516871
E-mail addresses: tom.johnston@fcagroup.com / puneet.joshi@fcagroup.com / kate.saxton@fcagroup.com

LAND VS AIR: JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT DEFEATS AEROBATIC TWISTER PLANE IN ‘ULTIMATE’ HOT LAP

Jeep has displayed the raw power and speed of its 6.4L V8 HEMI engined Grand Cherokee SRT by becoming the first 4x4 vehicle to race a plane around a track – and winning.