2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Spied Testing

As the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee nears its international debut (set for a local launch early next year), spy photos obtained this week show that development of the hot V8 version is well underway.

Likely to be dubbed the Grand Cherokee SRT8, the high-powered Jeep was spied undergoing hot-weather testing in the US. Light camouflage and a Chrysler badge doing nothing to hide its bigger wheels, brakes and lower ride height.

A re-worked version of the previous-generation SRT8's Hemi V8 is expected to feature, capacity increased from 6.1 to 6.4 litres and power up over 370kW. 

Combined with the new Grand Cherokee's advanced chassis - developed together with Mercedes-Benz when Chrysler was still part of the Daimler family - the new Grand Cherokee SRT8 could be a solid opponent for the BMW X5 M.

Little is known about the new range-topping Grand  Cherokee at this point, but with the regular model's debut only months away, all will likely be revealed soon.