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Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Chrysler sure didn't waste much time on this one. It has been less than a year since the 300C made headlines and waiting lists haven't started to cool down yet, but a hot SRT-ed 300C is already geared up for the streets. It's a collective slap in the face to all the poor 300C owners who've already handed over their hard earned credit for a shiny 300C, and are now stuck with a lowly 340-hp. But that's progress, and the SRT-8 is nothing if not a big step forward.

Obviously quite a bit of thought must have gone into the SRT-8's engineering, because the new Hemi gives a big increase in power (85-hp at the peak) from a relatively small displacement bump: 405 extra cc's from a 3.5-mm wider bore. Further mods include (warning: long sentence ahead!) a squishier compression ratio (up to 10.3:1), a reinforced engine block, stronger connecting rods and crankshaft, floating-pin pistons, a modified oil pan, better-breathing cylinder heads, a performance-oriented camshaft (now in 6200 rpm flavour), specially-designed exhaust headers and intake manifold, larger diameter valves with hollow stems on the intake and sodium filled stems on the exhaust, reshaped cylinder ports and a larger-diameter exhaust system with bigger, 3.5-inch tips. It's a thorough revamp (come on, you even get bigger exhaust tips!), allowing Chrysler to market the 6.1L Hemi as the highest specific-output (as in hp/L) engine ever offered by the Chrysler Group. The number you'll care about is 425, which is the net output in horsepower. The 420 lb-ft of torque are nearly as impressive. If you're wondering about fuel consumption, this car isn't for you.

The fun doesn't stop there, as the '8 also has some chassis upgrades in the way of a half-inch lower ride, unique dampers with different spring rates, new suspension bushings, larger diameter anti-sway bars, taller 20-inch aluminium wheels and four-piston Brembo brake calipers at all corners. You can have yours in any colour you like as long as it's black, but Chrysler will also do silver if you don't find that funny.

The wait for the SRT-8 has started, and already it's almost over! Look for it in showrooms in the spring of 2005, starting at an estimated $40K. - by Traian Popescu

Specifications