7-day Test
Model: Chrysler 300C SRT-8
RRP: $71,990
Price as tested: $71,990
Road tester: Chris Fincham
Date tested: August 2006
Distance covered: 434km
Back in 1960s America you could walk into most dealers -- Chrysler, Ford, Chevrolet -- and for not much more than the 'base' family sedan order a big-block, tyre-frying huge horsepower, version ready to roar down the dragstrip or frighten the neighbours' kiddies.
Fast forward 40 years and times have changed, right? No, sirreee, as Chrysler borrows the 'old school' styling cues, performance credentials and in-ya-face looks of those muscle cars of old to bring us the SRT-8 version of its 300C sedan.
Building on the already impressive 5.7-litre V8 300C, the SRT-8 version gets even more attitude and grunt as well as improved cornering ability courtesy of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology division.
That means a seriously fettled version of the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, boosted to 6.1-litres, including new heads with higher quality valves, new arched intake manifold, special exhaust headers, camshaft, forged crankshaft, and high compression pistons.
The result? An adrenalin-pumping 317kW/566Nm, with maximum torque at 4600rpm, delivered from idle in a syrupy smooth manner thanks to an incisive five-speed auto. Making light work of its almost two tonne baggage, the SRT-8 rockets to 100km/h from standstill in just over 5.0sec.
While refined and well-mannered around town (although the stiffer suspension delivers a firmer ride) it gets down and boogies on demand, with a tyre-screech or burnout only a throttle nudge away. Those monster Brembo brakes do the job, too. And did I mention the deliciously aggressive exhaust note…
Insider there's two plush, sports seats, good for soaking up the bumps as well as stopping the bum from going numb on the Melbourne-Sydney run. They also keep you firmly in place when hustling through corners. Rear seat passengers are treated to two contoured leather/suede pews with plenty of leg and headroom, while the boot is capacious.
Equipment levels are even higher than the 300C; additional items including power-adjustable front seats, with memory and heating, and leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel.
There's even a 'bad-ass' stereo, with powerful six-stack, 13 speaker CD system complete with thumping sub-woofer in the boot. While some 'fake' dash trim lowers the tone, overall the cabin theme conveys luxury rather than low-rent.
Externally, building on the chopped top, Gangsta look is a body kit, SRT-8 badges and guard-filling 20 x 9-inch forged wheels.
At $71,990, the 300C SRT-8 stacks up well on paper against its locally-made competition, including the all-new $76,990 HSV Senator Signature and $71,660 FPV GT-P models.
And while old-fashioned in spirit, it has its share of modern technology thanks to parts from Mercedes-Benz's last generation E-Class. Fuel consumption is archaic though, promising a wallet-emptying 14lt/100km on average or worse if you're a leadfoot.
And if you think Chrysler hasn't gone far enough, you can always upgrade further with factory accessories like a chrome grille and side skirts with illuminated entry lights.
'Pimp my Ride' anyone?!