2005 Dodge SRT-4 Road Test

The amount of boost the turbo whips out is registered on a tiny Autometer gauge. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

There is a distinct and linear relation between the amount of boost the turbo whips out and the tightening feeling you get in your chest. It's registered on a tiny Autometer gauge wedged in between the arched instrument bin and the dashboard. The bright red frantically bounces back and forth, dictated by my (in)ability to control the right foot. Mashing the gas to the floor will deliver nearly 15 psi, at which point sheer exhilaration, if not mild chest decompression, takes place. Keep your eyes on the road and the speedometer as speed mounts incredibly quickly; before you know it, you've entered license-losing territory. After just one or two warp-speed trips, you'll be addicted to the incredible boost of the SRT-4's quick-spooling turbocharger. To deliver its full potential, the SRT-4 requires premium fuel, however, it will accept regular unleaded at a tradeoff for less turbo boost and power.

Point the SRT-4's pierced nose at any point in the scenery and watch it deliver you there with first-class speed. No new vehicle on four wheels can get you to 0-100 km/h faster, for less money, which leads me to believe that Dodge is using the same underrating tricks which muscle-car makers in the '60s and '70s used for insurance purposes. But, for whatever reason I found that the 230 horse motor wasn't enough, loosing two wheels and a few thousand kilograms might help. Failing that, the last hope is mind-altering drugs, or a trip to your local Dodge retailer to pick up the latest factory-backed Mopar performance upgrades. For just a little bit more money, the 2.4 can be upgraded with the Stage Three Turbo Kit and Turbo Toys, bumping output up to an absurd maximum of 355 horses and 365 lb-ft of torque!

After passing through the turbine, the exhaust gasses flow out the back through a two and a quarter inch split pipe. The system's low-restriction claim is delivered by a design that features no mufflers after the catalytic converters. But for what is gained in performance, is lost in outright refinement: idle is coarse and lumpy, and the typical loud, boy-racer exhaust note is ever-present during acceleration. This is beside the fact

The New Venture Gear T850 transmission has a short throw but its heavy action requires powerful, commanding shifts. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

that you'll hear every last gurgle, belch and fart out the rear end after easing off the throttle.

With all that power, you might expect a heavy clutch with plenty of holding power. Surprisingly this isn't the case, as the SRT-4's third pedal is light making it surprisingly easy to modulate. You won't suffer from club-foot at the end of a long day of city driving. The New Venture Gear T850 transmission has a short throw but its heavy action requires powerful, commanding shifts. Once you're used to it, it becomes an oar that's quite pleasing to row, though that's not a big issue with the turbo's buff torque curve.