Jeep vs Aircraft, which do you think comes of best in a race, four wheels or two wings ?

• 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
• 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.

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