Only one transmission is mated to the hostile mill- a six-speed manual gearbox. The spacing between cogs is perfect for the engine's powerband, which is impressively broad. Although an inch has been shaved from the stick's travel, this isn't the tightest or most precise of shifters; nonetheless it gets the job done. Clutch feel is about right though, keeping shifts smooth with light, progressive uptake.
Suspension, brakes and electronic nannies
The SRT4 is suspended on sway bars, springs and dampers that have been modified and calibrated to extend road-holding thresholds and improve handling dynamics. The front suspension has been lowered by 28-mm and ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers have been installed. At the rear, ride height has been reduced by 22-mm. The independent rear setup features upper and lower lateral links and the same ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers found in the fore arrangement.
The vehicle rolls on 19-inch aluminum wheels ringed in performance rubber. An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard equipment however it and an electronic traction control system have been calibrated to resist early intrusion, allowing plenty of latitude to push the SRT4 without admonishment. (A button deactivates ESP for those wild-abandon occasions).
Some of the push will undoubtedly come in the form of strenuous braking. Here Dodge's demon steps up to the plate as well with huge, 340 x 28-mm (13-inch) front brake rotors and 302 x 10-mm (12-inch) rear brake rotors. We're told these rotors were lifted directly from the potent Dodge Charger R/T. To emphasize the car's massive brakes, its caliper units are painted SRT-red.
It's got the goods but what about the "go" factor?
So here's where it gets interesting. On the street, the SRT4 feels like a dog constantly tugging on its leash; it simply wants to run hard and fast. I found myself always pulling back on the leash to keep the car within legal bounds, especially when presented with a long straightaway out of a corner. When the noose was loosened though, the SRT4 effortlessly sprinted forth but not without some alarm.
When unleashing 285 horsepower on the front wheels, a firm hand is needed to counter unintended torque-steer, especially on well-worn high-centred roads. A slow leap into the throttle mitigates the worst of this. On the flat surface of the track, the curse was less of an issue. And it's on the track where the SRT4 proved its mettle and lent credibility to Chrysler's claim of 0-96 kph (0-60 mph) in just 6.2 seconds.
 |
Suspension, brakes and electronic nannies
The SRT4 is suspended on sway bars, springs and dampers that have been modified and calibrated to extend road-holding thresholds and improve handling dynamics. The front suspension has been lowered by 28-mm and ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers have been installed. At the rear, ride height has been reduced by 22-mm. The independent rear setup features upper and lower lateral links and the same ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers found in the fore arrangement.
The vehicle rolls on 19-inch aluminum wheels ringed in performance rubber. An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard equipment however it and an electronic traction control system have been calibrated to resist early intrusion, allowing plenty of latitude to push the SRT4 without admonishment. (A button deactivates ESP for those wild-abandon occasions).
Some of the push will undoubtedly come in the form of strenuous braking. Here Dodge's demon steps up to the plate as well with huge, 340 x 28-mm (13-inch) front brake rotors and 302 x 10-mm (12-inch) rear brake rotors. We're told these rotors were lifted directly from the potent Dodge Charger R/T. To emphasize the car's massive brakes, its caliper units are painted SRT-red.
It's got the goods but what about the "go" factor?
So here's where it gets interesting. On the street, the SRT4 feels like a dog constantly tugging on its leash; it simply wants to run hard and fast. I found myself always pulling back on the leash to keep the car within legal bounds, especially when presented with a long straightaway out of a corner. When the noose was loosened though, the SRT4 effortlessly sprinted forth but not without some alarm.
When unleashing 285 horsepower on the front wheels, a firm hand is needed to counter unintended torque-steer, especially on well-worn high-centred roads. A slow leap into the throttle mitigates the worst of this. On the flat surface of the track, the curse was less of an issue. And it's on the track where the SRT4 proved its mettle and lent credibility to Chrysler's claim of 0-96 kph (0-60 mph) in just 6.2 seconds.
 |