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.