For the performance level alone, the auto companies are used to asking more than $49,995, so when you throw in the hottest exterior shape on the market today and the trendiest engine brand, the 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8 actually looks like a bargain.
The Windsor arm of DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group clearly thinks it's on to a winner with this Brampton-built sedan, and they're probably right. When it arrives in dealerships this spring, expect the MSRP to be the starting point as dealers try to get more for the car. If you're thinking that this might be illegal, you need to remember that it's actually illegal for car companies to actually set a price, so that's why the "S'' in MSRP stands for ''suggested.''
Given the fact that it was recently named North American Car of The Year and single-handedly revived Chrysler's struggling car sales in a highly competitive segment, the 300 probably didn't need a lot of help to keep it rolling. But a visit to the firm's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) department to have a juiced up 6.1-litre Hemi V-8 installed will give the car plenty of momentum.
As tuned for this model, the trendy Hemi produces 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and that's 85 hp more than the 5.7-litre version through a greater displacement, a higher compression ratio, faster engine speed and better engine "breathing" through special cylinder heads and manifolds.
The 6.1-litre Hemi engine was strengthened with components including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft and high-strength connecting rods.
The end result is a car that's good for a 0 to 100 kmh in the low five-second range, a 400-m time in the high 13-second range and 0-160-0 kmh) in the mid 16-second range.
Ron Smith, the vice-president of marketing for DaimlerChrysler Canada, says SRT owners ''regularly use their vehicles for everyday transportation, but as performance enthusiasts, want to be able to put them to the test on some of the world's greatest roads or tracks. For less than $50,000, Chrysler 300C SRT8 enthusiasts are sure to be delighted."
Along with the souped-up engine, the car gets such SRT-tuned performance upgrades as larger-diameter anti-sway bars, specially tailored spring rates, Bilstein dampers, Brembo four-piston disc brakes at the front and rear, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Goodyear F1 three-season (i.e. no winter) tires.
Standard equipment includes front seats equipped with heat and memory functions, clad with performance suede inserts that secure occupants during spirited driving. Other features include an adjustable pedal cluster, ''technical'' leather trim on the steering wheel, shifter and door pulls, and special finishing on interior trim such as the centre stack. Amongst the regular boring old gauges that people never look at, there's one that will catch everyone's eye -- a speedo that goes to 290 km.
There's a standard AM/FM stereo radio with a six-disc CD changer powering a seven-speaker Boston Acoustics speaker system, with steering wheel-mounted controls.
Also available is UConnect, a hands-free communications system with Bluetooth technology, which recognizes up to seven different Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones and responds to voice commands utilizing a microphone in the rearview mirror and the stereo system's speakers for hands-free conversations.
Smith says the 300C SRT8's exterior styling ''combines premium elegance with functional performance enhancements.'' Redesigned front and rear fascias include unmistakable SRT cues, such as air ducting for brake cooling, as well as the specially designed rear decklid spoiler, which increases rear downforce without increasing drag. Other styling touches include a body-colour grille insert with chrome collar, body-colour mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging.
Available exterior colours for the 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8 are Bright Silver and Brilliant Black, while the interior comes only in a Light Greystone/Dark Slate combination.
photo:Chrysler Canada
The Windsor arm of DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group clearly thinks it's on to a winner with this Brampton-built sedan, and they're probably right. When it arrives in dealerships this spring, expect the MSRP to be the starting point as dealers try to get more for the car. If you're thinking that this might be illegal, you need to remember that it's actually illegal for car companies to actually set a price, so that's why the "S'' in MSRP stands for ''suggested.''
Given the fact that it was recently named North American Car of The Year and single-handedly revived Chrysler's struggling car sales in a highly competitive segment, the 300 probably didn't need a lot of help to keep it rolling. But a visit to the firm's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) department to have a juiced up 6.1-litre Hemi V-8 installed will give the car plenty of momentum.
As tuned for this model, the trendy Hemi produces 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and that's 85 hp more than the 5.7-litre version through a greater displacement, a higher compression ratio, faster engine speed and better engine "breathing" through special cylinder heads and manifolds.
The 6.1-litre Hemi engine was strengthened with components including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft and high-strength connecting rods.
The end result is a car that's good for a 0 to 100 kmh in the low five-second range, a 400-m time in the high 13-second range and 0-160-0 kmh) in the mid 16-second range.
Ron Smith, the vice-president of marketing for DaimlerChrysler Canada, says SRT owners ''regularly use their vehicles for everyday transportation, but as performance enthusiasts, want to be able to put them to the test on some of the world's greatest roads or tracks. For less than $50,000, Chrysler 300C SRT8 enthusiasts are sure to be delighted."
Along with the souped-up engine, the car gets such SRT-tuned performance upgrades as larger-diameter anti-sway bars, specially tailored spring rates, Bilstein dampers, Brembo four-piston disc brakes at the front and rear, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Goodyear F1 three-season (i.e. no winter) tires.
Standard equipment includes front seats equipped with heat and memory functions, clad with performance suede inserts that secure occupants during spirited driving. Other features include an adjustable pedal cluster, ''technical'' leather trim on the steering wheel, shifter and door pulls, and special finishing on interior trim such as the centre stack. Amongst the regular boring old gauges that people never look at, there's one that will catch everyone's eye -- a speedo that goes to 290 km.
There's a standard AM/FM stereo radio with a six-disc CD changer powering a seven-speaker Boston Acoustics speaker system, with steering wheel-mounted controls.
Also available is UConnect, a hands-free communications system with Bluetooth technology, which recognizes up to seven different Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones and responds to voice commands utilizing a microphone in the rearview mirror and the stereo system's speakers for hands-free conversations.
Smith says the 300C SRT8's exterior styling ''combines premium elegance with functional performance enhancements.'' Redesigned front and rear fascias include unmistakable SRT cues, such as air ducting for brake cooling, as well as the specially designed rear decklid spoiler, which increases rear downforce without increasing drag. Other styling touches include a body-colour grille insert with chrome collar, body-colour mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging.
Available exterior colours for the 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8 are Bright Silver and Brilliant Black, while the interior comes only in a Light Greystone/Dark Slate combination.
photo:Chrysler Canada