The SRT8 version of the current-generation Chrysler 300->ke937 was unveiled at the 2011 New York International Auto Show and came up with a series of improvements over the base version. The most interesting part was, of course, the powerful HEMI engine, but next to it the SRT8 version also added a more aggressive exterior look, a lowered ride height, and high-performance suspension and brakes.

According to Chrysler->ke21, the 300 SRT8 pays tribute to the original 300 launched back in 1955: it is simple, features strong lines, excellent engineering, high levels of luxury and outstanding performance.

Still, despite what Chrysler may think, the 300 SRT8 looks outdated to some customers and its flaws simply stand out in the SRT lineup. The biggest flaw of them all is that very dated five-speed automatic transmission.

For the 2013 model year, Chrysler also offers a 300 SRT8 Core version, which deletes some content to help attract buyers with a tighter budget.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8.

2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 470
  • Torque: 470
  • Transmission: Five-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Just like with any other SRT model, pbuyers can easily distinguish the 2013 300 SRT8 from the rest of the 300 lineup by its exterior look. It receives black-chrome upper and lower grille surrounds, rear valance stripes up front. On the rear, it features a unique lower fascia with chrome accent bar, 4-inch round dual exhaust tips and a modified SRT8 deck-lid badge with black accent.

For the 2013 model year, customers will have nine exterior colors to choose from:

-Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat

-Bright White Clear Coat

-Deep Cherry Red Pearl Coat

-Gloss Black Clear Coat

-Granite Crystal Pearl Coat

-Ivory Pearl Tri-coat

-Jazz Blue Pearl Coat

-Pewter Grey Pearl Coat (late availability)

-Phantom Black Tri-coat Pearl

Dimensions:

Ground Clearance - at curb weight - Running Ground Clearance

4.3 In.

Overall Body Width

74.2 In.

Overall Height

58.2 In.

Overall Length

200.3 In.

Overhang - Front

34.5 In.

Overhang - Rear

42.4 In.

Track - Front

63.4 In.

Track - Rear

63.1 In.

Turning Diameter - curb-to-curb - Left

38.9 Feet

Turning Diameter - curb-to-curb - Right

38.9 Feet

Wheelbase

120.2 In.


Standard Exterior Features:

-Body-Color Exterior Mirrors

-Dedicated Daytime Running Headlamps

-Adaptive Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps

-Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control

-Fog Lamps

-Center High-Mount Stop Lamp

-Security Alarm

-Black Headlamp Bezels

-Bright Surround / Gloss Black Grille

-Body-Color Fascias

-Body-Color Door Handles

-Lower Body Side Cladding

-Chrysler Wing Badge with Black Accent

-Rear Body-Color Spoiler

Interior

For the interior, Chrysler combines luxury with performance-oriented technology. A 300 SRT8 driver enjoys a leather-wrapped, heated, SRT-exclusive steering wheel with paddle shift controls for ripping through the gears comfortably as you tackle even the toughest of roads.

Customers can opt for carbon-fiber trim on the instrument panel, door spears and shifter bezel, while an optional Performance Package adds timers for 0 to 60 mph, eighth-mile and quarter-mile times, 60 to 0 braking distance, along with lateral and longitudinal g-forces.

The 300 SRT8 comes with a standard 8.4-inch color touchscreen display that shows details on the steering angle, horsepower and torque outputs. Buyers can order the interior in a two-tone black and Radar Red combination, while an optional Premium Leather Interior Package adds Poltrona Frau "Foligno" leather-wrapped upper door trim panels, instrument panel, cluster brow and center console side panels.

Dimensions:

Cargo Capacity (Trunk)

16.3 cubic-feet

Head Room - Front

38.6 In.

Head Room - Rear

37.9 In.

Hip Room - Front

56.2 In.

Hip Room - Rear

56.1 In.

Leg Room - Front

41.8 In.

Leg Room - Rear

40.1 In.

Passenger Interior Volume

106.3 cubic-feet

Seating Capacity - Maximum Seating

5

Seating Capacity - Standard Seating

5

Shoulder Room - Front

59.5 In.

Shoulder Room - Rear

57.7 In.

Trunk Lift-Over Height

30.1 In.


Standard features:

-Heated Steering Wheel

-Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls

-Performance Tuned Steering

-SRT Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel

-Power Tilt / Telescoping Steering Column

-Remote Start System

-Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the 300 SRT8 gets a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine that delivers a total of 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, which is a little "blah" on this type of car.

Fortunately , Chrysler fitted the 300 SRT8 with a few drive modes to help you better tune the way it responds in various situations. First of all, there are the two main transmission modes: "Drive" and "Manual." The former allows the transmission to shift exactly how Chrysler tuned it from the factory, which makes driving a more pleasant experience. Shifting the transmission into "Manual" mode activates the shifter paddles, allowing you to test out the entire rev band of that HEMI engine and push the 300 SRT8 to its limits.

For being a nasty naturally aspirated V-8 muscle car, the 300 SRT8 is relatively thrifty at 14 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The latter number is thanks to Chrysler's Fuel Saver Technology -- disabling four cylinder under certain conditions -- and a active exhaust valve system on this HEMI powerplant. Chrysler advertises the 300 SRT8 at "just under 5 seconds" to 60 mph, but independent testing puts it way under that mark at 4.7 seconds. Additionally, the 300 SRT8's 175 mph top speed is something that few sedans in this price range will ever see.

Drivetrain Specifications

Displacement, cu. in. (cu. cm.)

392 (6,417)

Bore x Stroke

4.09 x 3.72 (103.9 x 94.5)

Valve System

Pushrod-operated overhead valves, 16 valves with sodium-filled

exhaust valves and hollow stem intake valves,16 conventional hydraulic lifters, all with roller tips

Fuel Injection

Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless; automatic features Fuel Saver mode

Construction

Deep-skirt cast-iron block with cross-bolted main bearing caps,aluminum alloy heads with hemispherical combustion chambers

Compression Ratio

10.9:1

Power (SAE J2723)

470 hp (351 kW) at 6,000 rpm

Torque (SAE J2723)

470 lb.-ft. (637 Nm) at 4,300 rpm

Max. Engine Speed

6,400 rpm (electronically limited)

Exhaust Type

Dual 2.75-in. active exhaust with dual 4-in. round tips

Fuel Requirement

Premium 91 octane (R+M)/2 — recommended

EPA Fuel Economy mpg (city/hwy)

14/23

Acceleration (0-60 mph)

< 5 Sec.

Top Speed

175 MPH


Suspension and Brakes

The 2013 300 SRT8 is offered with standard 20-inch lightweight forged-aluminum wheels wrapped in three- or four-season Goodyear tires. A high-performance braking system with 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers painted in silver finish handle the braking duties. There is also a Ready Alert Braking system that anticipates when the driver quickly releases the accelerator pedal and may initiate an emergency brake stop.

Prices

The 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is priced from $49,250.

Options

Dual-Pane Panoramic roof

$1,495

Black Painted roof

$1,500

Black Chrome Group

$795

Laguna Leather Package

$1,495

Safety Tec

$1,995

Harman Kardon Audio

$1,995

Leather interior group

$2,500


Competitors

Ford Taurus SHO

The newest generation Taurus SHO was unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show and proved to be better than ever.

The 2013 Taurus SHO is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that produces 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

This output might be a little bit less than the one delivered by the 300 SRT8, but the Taurus SHO model is a little bit cheaper, as it starts from $37,995.

Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

The R-Spec is the most powerful version offered for the Genesis luxury sedan. It is powered by a 5.0-liter Tau V-8 engine that produces 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm.

Despite delivering pretty much the same output level as the 300 SRT8, the Genesis R-Spec is considerable cheaper with a starting price of $33,800.

Conclusion

Chrysler's recipe to develop the 300 SRT8 was pretty simple. It took a standard 300 and stuffed it with some SRT goodies, like that powerful HEMI V-8 engine, upgraded brakes and an impressive suspension system. The only problem is that the recipe is not the best mix available, as the 300 SRT8 lacks that aggressive look required by a SRT model and that five-speed auto is something you'd see in the mid-2000s.