Chrysler uprates muscle saloon
300C gets 6.1-litre V8 and 85 more bhp
   Chrysler 300C SRT-8 |
Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division has given the 300C's Hemi a make-over and dropped it back into the American muscle saloon. The result is the 168 mph 300C SRT-8, available from August in right hand drive for £39,040 on-the-road.
The Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is built around an enlarged SRT 6.1-litre Hemi V8 engine, which generates 85bhp more than the 5.7-litre version – a 25 per cent power boost, with 420lb-ft. of torque compared to the smaller V8’s 387 lb-ft. The company reckons that the normally aspirated SRT V8 is the highest specific-output engine it's ever offered. Still a bit of catching up to do then...
For its bulk, the rear-wheel drive Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is capable of impressive performance times – 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, 1.4 seconds quicker than the 5.7-litre Hemi.
All SRT vehicles feature a race-inspired interior and performance-oriented exterior features. These include an all-new front fascia to reduce lift and drag and provide sufficient airflow to meet the increased cooling demands of the larger engine, new air intake ducts that help cool the front brakes, side sill extensions that help to increase downforce, a new rear fascia incorporating two large diameter exhaust tail pipes and five spoke 20-inch forged aluminium wheels.
The 300C SRT-8 sports Brembo "racing-style" brakes, tuned Bilstein dampers, tailored spring rates and suspension bushings and larger-diameter anti-roll bars, together with 13 mm lower ride height and a re-tuned ESP system.
"With the Chrysler 300C SRT-8, we aim to deliver the ultimate affordable performance saloon," said Chrysler UK boss Peter Lambert. "No other manufacturer can bring together the incredible combination of the Hemi engine, the look of the 300C, and SRT technology. Chrysler does just that with the 300C SRT-8, all at unbeatable value. For less than £40,000, the 300C SRT-8 delivers first-class handling and braking, functional exterior enhancements, race-inspired interior appointments and a jaw-dropping 425 horsepower.
"No other car comes close to delivering the 300C SRT-8’s combination of performance and value. We are sure it will capture the hearts of driving enthusiasts here in the UK and, to maintain the SRT’s exclusivity, we will only bring a small number into the UK this year."
You have to admit, it does have a certain presence...
"The Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is built around an enlarged SRT 6.1-litre Hemi V8 engine, which generates 85bhp more than the 5.7-litre version – a 25 per cent power boost, with 420lb-ft. of torque compared to the smaller V8’s 387 lb-ft. "
Something wrong here surely? Or is lb/ft now a measure of power? Do we have to do the maths ourselves?
Same as seemingly everyone else here, I know I shouldn't but I LOVE this car. I'd even be tempted to do for the diesel version, which has as much torque as the 5.7 if I recall.
Would it be a viable competitor to the normal 7series/s class/a8 type of hire?
They'd pay for themselves in a 3rd of the time at the very least.
However, I find it very hard to understand how, with the pound worth nearly 2 dollars at the moment, they can sell a 40k USD car for 40k GBP.
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