HA! HA! HA! Bless your soul DCX.
Given the short amount of time that we have on this Earth, it is most important to have some fun. Some people, like my long-time girlfriend, like to dance, others like to garden, travel, play video games, etc. Some like to drive, to race and to compete in the multiple forms of motor sports. One of the biggest and fastest growing manners of racing, other than drifting, is straight-line drags or quarter-mile sprints. This was big in the 60s and early 70s. The fact that GM, Ford and Chrysler were heavily involved in the sport proves this.
Viva! the horsepower war
Fast-forward thirty years and the battle has never been hotter. My best example of this is the fact that the 2007 Toyota Camry has an available
269 hp V6 engine. Only a few years ago, the Ford Mustang GT, not the base model, the GT, had a 260 hp 4.6L V8! That is 9 fewer hp than the Camry. Chrysler hit a major grand slam in 2005 with the introduction of the LX-platformed 300 and [link artid="44272"]Magnum[/link], shortly followed by the Charger. Not only was this a return to the proper roots of a North American car but also it added fuel to the displacement and power struggle. In these cars, the engine selection varies from a sensible 190 hp V6 up to a mind-blowing 340 hp HEMI V8. As Ford and GM struggled to their feet after been knocked over, Chrysler hit them again. This time, DCX struck with a 425 hp 6.1L HEMI V8. So far, no one has recovered from this solid uppercut. Uniquely available in the SRT trimmed cars, this engine changes everything, or almost.
Better get a tire sponsorship
Blame it on 420 lb/ft of torque, blame it on ease with which the rear tires light up when the gas pedal is gently prodded or on the sheer ferocity of the engine growl, those massive P245/45R20 tires will need to be replaced on a regular basis even if you consider yourself a reasonable
driver. Never mind when you nudge the ESP button to switch it off. If you are brave enough to mash the go pedal afterwards, expect Hell to bust loose. Although this is a straight-line machine, the driver will need to constantly correct the trajectory as the rear end wrestles for grip.
Once the drama is over, the real action begins. The SRT8 lunges forward with anger. The 100 km mark is eclipsed in 5 seconds flat and the massive rush continues well beyond twice that speed. The 5-speed automatic 'box is well adapted to the volcanic-like eruptions of power. The shifts are crisp and wicked especially in all-out acceleration. On the other hand, the transmission seems slightly confused when casually driving in the city; it occasionally hesitates between gear changes and hampers smooth forward progression.
Not so sure about the performance-oriented handling bit...
Given the Street & Racing Technology moniker, the car is expected to not only go like stink, but also handle as though it was on rails. The truth of
the matter is that if your bag is to carve mountain roads, you may be a tad disappointed in the SRT8. Its suspension feels as though it over sprung and the stiff narrow tire sidewalls do not improve the situation. A rugged road surface will have you longing for a long even stretch of highway. The previously tested Charger R/T was more composed and forgiving in day-to-day driving. Turn-in is crisp thanks in part to the aforementioned tires.
The huge Brembo discs and callipers not only look the part but they bring the 1,800 kg sedan to full stop without fading or complaining. The ginormous incredible-looking 20" 10-spoke wheels shod with equally large rubber also play their part in overall grip.
 |
| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Viva! the horsepower war
Fast-forward thirty years and the battle has never been hotter. My best example of this is the fact that the 2007 Toyota Camry has an available
 |
| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Better get a tire sponsorship
Blame it on 420 lb/ft of torque, blame it on ease with which the rear tires light up when the gas pedal is gently prodded or on the sheer ferocity of the engine growl, those massive P245/45R20 tires will need to be replaced on a regular basis even if you consider yourself a reasonable
 |
| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Once the drama is over, the real action begins. The SRT8 lunges forward with anger. The 100 km mark is eclipsed in 5 seconds flat and the massive rush continues well beyond twice that speed. The 5-speed automatic 'box is well adapted to the volcanic-like eruptions of power. The shifts are crisp and wicked especially in all-out acceleration. On the other hand, the transmission seems slightly confused when casually driving in the city; it occasionally hesitates between gear changes and hampers smooth forward progression.
Not so sure about the performance-oriented handling bit...
Given the Street & Racing Technology moniker, the car is expected to not only go like stink, but also handle as though it was on rails. The truth of
 |
| (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
The huge Brembo discs and callipers not only look the part but they bring the 1,800 kg sedan to full stop without fading or complaining. The ginormous incredible-looking 20" 10-spoke wheels shod with equally large rubber also play their part in overall grip.