The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is an amazing piece of automotive machinery but the Hennessey Performance HPE650 package takes the brawny Jeep super-sport ute to a whole new level – with an incredible output of 650 horsepower allowing a 0-60 time of just 3.9 seconds.
The HPE650 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 package begins with the standard 392 cubic inch Hemi V8 and adds ported factory cylinder heads, stainless steel long tube headers, high flow catalytic convertors, an upgraded fuel system, a TVS2300 Supercharger System, an HPE Air Induction System and an HPE/Arrington engine tune to increase the output from 470 horsepower to 650 horsepower. When coupled to the standard 5-speed automatic transmission (this is based on a 2013 model year vehicle – not the 2014 SRT Jeep with the new 8-speed unit) and the standard full time four wheel drive system, this ultra high performance Jeep can rip from a stop to 60 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds. The HPE650 Jeep SRT8 will also dash down the quarter mile in just 12.6 seconds with a trap speed of 110 miles per hour.
To show off the HPE650 package on the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the folks at Hennessey have put together a pair of videos with one showing the 650 horsepower SUV trying to climb off of the dyno and a longer piece highlighting the features of this super SUV before an in-car ride down the quarter mile. At the end of the video, we get to see the quarter mile dash once again – this time from a camera behind the vehicle that really gives us a great chance to hear the blown Hemi scream down the drag strip.
When watching these two videos, make sure to have your speakers cranked up so that you can hear the 392 cubic inch Hemi making 650 horsepower with 7-8 pounds of supercharger boost.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
