WITH an unfortunate sense of timing, Jeep has launched the daddy of off-roaders just as petrol smashes through the £4-a-gallon barrier.
A 5.7 litre giant with class leading performance it may be but the Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi is belly-up to the four-wheel-drive critics.
In one way Jeep could be congratulated for achieving a claimed average of 18.3 miles per gallon from such a huge engine - even though I managed just 14.7mpg overall.
But with CO2 emissions of 366g/km, the Hemi is about as environmentally friendly as a volcanic eruption.
However, if monster motoring is what you are after this latest version of the Grand Cherokee is in a league of its own.
It gains its "incredible" fuel economy by using a V8 Hemi engine featuring a multi-displacement system - the first off-roader to do so.
At low revs or when cruising, the system automatically switches of half the cylinders - but full power can be resumed in the blink of an eye if necessary.
Not only does having a 5.7 V8 engine result in an amazing growl that no other car on British roads can emulate but it also delivers phenomenal acceleration.
The Grand Cherokee Hemi weighs in at 2.3 tons but can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.
Its handling is much improved from earlier versions of the Grand Cherokee and, despite its bulk, the gearing of the steering makes it relatively easy to manoeuvre when parking.
With a new look inside and out the third generation Grand Cherokee conveys power and a touch of class.
It is more angular at the back while at the front there is much more brightwork in the grille and with curvy headlamp clusters it has lost much of its overtly American design.
The interior is a bit of a treat as well, featuring two-tone mouldings broken up by wooden inserts.
Jeep's relationship with Mercedes under the DaimlerChrysler banner is more than apparent on the Grand Cherokee with the layout of the instrument panel.
Leather upholstery is standard on the Hemi as is virtually every other creature comfort imaginable on a car such as dual zone climate control, cruise control, satellite navigation and a six -disc CD system.
The Hemi has permanent four-wheel drive and uses Jeep's QuadraDrivell system to deliver optimum traction on and off road.
Low range gears are now selected via a switch next to the gear lever and the five-speed auto box is smooth and capable in either high or low mode. Manual gear changes can still be carried out thanks to a tiptronic system.
Inside the amount of space is comparable to the size of the beast under the bonnet and the ride is near limousine quality.
Despite there being 322bhp on tap it is possible to drive the Hemi with absolute smoothness.
From a practical point of view it is supremely capable off road - as is the case with any Jeep - it is a good tow car and luggage capacity is excellent at 35 cubic feet. Sixty eight cubic feet is available by folding down the back seats.
The Hemi is a wonderful piece of kit for all the wrong reasons. On the one hand it is the best executive class Jeep to date, but on the other it just too much of a gas-guzzler to be acceptable.
FAST FACTS
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Hemi
Price: £37,995
Mechanical: 322bhp, 5,654cc V8 engine driving all four wheels via a 5spd auto gearbox
Max Speed: 129mph
0-60mph: 7.1secs
Combined mpg: 18.3
Insurance Group: 16
CO2 emissions: 366g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs antirust, 7yrs paint