Jeep has displayed the raw power and speed of its 6.4L V8 HEMI engined Grand Cherokee SRT by becoming the first 4×4 vehicle to race a plane around a track – and actually, winning it.
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 2.89 km circuit and saw both car and plane reach speeds in excess of 225km/h. While the Grand Cherokee SRT tackled the race track, the Silence SA1100 Twister plane navigated around 7-metre high pylons, as they both attempted to reach the chequered flag first.
Capable of reaching 0-100km/h in less the 5 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 35m from 100-0 km/h.
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.
You can watch it via the YouTube link down below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBLxyu9B9Ws
