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| The raw power in this year's model is tamed through a Quaife limited slip differential, probably the most important addition added in its mid-life update. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
For those wary about the SRT-4's massive torque figures, fear not; the raw power in this year's model is tamed through a Quaife limited slip differential, probably the most important addition added in its mid-life update. While LSDs have failed to curb such torque-steerers as the Nissan Sentra SE-R, or the previous generation Saab 9-3 Viggen, the steering is delightfully weighted and unpolluted by the driving front wheels. It might not be quite as good as the supercharged MINI Cooper S, letting through the odd jerk when pushing hard through a corner in low gears, but there is little to let an enthused driver down. The LSD has also eliminated inner wheel slip when accelerating hard through corners, the tires simply hook up to the road and you experience full thrust. One thing that the LSD doesn't cure is off-the-line wheelspin. With 250 lb-ft of torque at your right foot's discretion, even your best drag launch will be offset by plenty of wheelspin, axle hop and tire smoke.
There is a heavy bias towards 'track' in the SRT-4's suspension tuning. Understeer is surprisingly absent from the picture, with crisp, eager and most importantly neutral turn-in attitude for corners. Body roll, another issue for sports compacts is cut down to size with the tuned suspension. Wherever you point the three-spoke wheel, the BF Goodrich g-force KWD tires bite, following through with nothing less than utmost confidence. Without stability or traction control, drivers are left to their own devices, but PVO specifically tuned the car to be safe while approaching its limits, knowing that the majority of drivers lack the same experience as seasoned veterans. The tradeoff for such responsiveness in overall comfort is nowhere as bad as aftermarket springs or coilovers; you feel more far more imperfections than most factory-tuned sports compacts, but the firm ride isn't too punishing. Daily city driving isn't conducted through blurred vision from bumps, though your teeth might become castanets if the road is rough enough.
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| Carbon fibre, the official pattern for sport, appears in faux form as the main theme of the cockpit. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Inside, the drama is kept to a minimum, with the exception of the Viper-inspired seats. With fat, leather-lined bolsters, these deep buckets do their best to keep you upright even in the most vigorous cornering, but a lack of lumbar support means that backsides will tire quickly. Carbon fibre, the official pattern for sport, appears as the main theme of the cockpit. The fabric that lines the seats, the vinyl shift boot and steering wheel rim are feature the convincing looking weave. Dodge has selected electroplated silver as the trim for the centre console, a tasteful alternative to the SX's optional body-colour console. And, while the dash may not feature any metal accents, the racing pedals are real aluminum.
