On the Way - 400HP+ Chrysler 300 SRT-8, Dodge Charger SRT-8

[TriShield]

SRT to Expand


2006 Dodge Charger

By Kevin Kelly
WardsAuto.com, Jul 14 2004

Plans for the expansion of Chrysler’s LX rear-wheel-drive family of vehicles includes an SRT-8 performance package for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, as well as an all-new 6.1L Hemi V-8.

Performance-car fans should get ready for a series of sport-bred vehicles based on the newly introduced Chrysler Group LX rear-wheel-drive platform. The performance derivatives are set to debut in first-quarter 2005.

Sources within the auto maker tell Ward’s Chrysler will introduce a 300C SRT-8 early in 2005, with a Dodge Charger SRT-8 following in September.

Both vehicles will be powered by the all-new 6.1L version of Chrysler’s highly acclaimed Hemi V-8 engine.

Sources claim the new powerplant will produce 420 hp and 390 lb.-ft. (528 Nm) of torque, a significant 24% horsepower boost from the 340 hp rating of the current 5.7L Hemi.

Sources also indicate the 6.1L Hemi will not feature Chrysler’s much-touted multi-displacement cylinder-deactivation system. The higher-output 6.1L Hemi will be reserved only for performance applications, where fuel economy routinely is not a top priority.

“We’ll keep the 5.7L for mass production applications, but the 6.1L will be reserved for limited high-performance vehicle production,” a Chrysler insider says.

The Charger SRT-8 will feature a 6-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, boosting the vehicle’s performance potential.

Pilot production of standard Chargers already has begun in preparation for the return of the Charger moniker to Dodge showrooms shortly before the SRT package launches.

The source also indicates the auto maker is toying with the idea of launching a 2-door version of the Charger, as well as a 4-seat convertible, based loosely off the Chrysler Hemi C concept vehicle that debuted at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“I’ve seen some mock-ups, but I’m not sure if it’s been given the green light,” the source says.

Separately, the auto maker confirms it has begun production of all-wheel-drive variants of the 300 Series and Dodge Magnum passenger cars in Brampton, Ont., Canada. The AWD models will go on sale this fall.

Dodge will debut AWD versions of its Magnum SXT and RT wagon a few months before the system is available on the Chrysler 300 Limited, Touring and 300C in the fourth quarter.

The ’05 Magnum SXT AWD will base at $27,900, and the Hemi-powered RT AWD at $31,370.

Base price of the ’05 Chrysler 300 Touring AWD will be $29,370 with the 300 Touring AWD starting at $31,215. The Hemi-powered 300C AWD will base at $34,195.





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Yeah, it's got a Hemi... and AWD. All-wheel Drive Joins Rear-wheel Drive on 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum

• New All-wheel-drive Choices Added to Line-up for Outstanding Performance in All Weather Conditions

• All-wheel-drive Vehicles to Go On Sale This Fall Starting at $27,900 (MSRP excluding $625 destination)

One wheel? Two wheels? Three wheels, four? All wheels your preference? Who needs more? Chrysler Group is rounding out its Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 family with all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions of the highly popular vehicles.

For those Dodge customers who prefer all-wheel drive, the 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum SXT and AWD Dodge Magnum RT will be introduced this fall. Later in the fourth quarter, Chrysler all-wheel-drive fans will be able to choose from AWD Chrysler 300 Touring and AWD Chrysler 300C models, as well as an AWD package that will be available as an option for the Chrysler 300 Limited.

"The rear-wheel drive Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 have proven themselves in the marketplace as popular performers all across the United States, and we look to these new all-wheel-drive choices to continue that momentum," said George Murphy, Senior Vice-President, Global Brand Marketing.

By continuously driving all wheels, the new all-wheel-drive system provides excellent cornering balance and traction under all driving conditions. Combined with standard features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), All-speed Traction Control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and Emergency Brake Assist, performance and stability are outstanding in the new AWD members of the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 lineup.

"While chassis electronics and tire technology improvements help control our Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum rear-wheel-drive models, some customers may still opt for the all-wheel-drive choice," said Murphy. "With this latest option, we are able to offer what the customer wants in each case."

The new all-wheel drive system adds a front differential and a transfer case to the standard rear-wheel-drive configuration. All-wheel drive continuously divides the power between the front and rear axles at a 38-percent to 62-percent ratio.

In addition to the front differential and transfer case, the all-wheel drive system adds a unique short- and long-arm front suspension to accommodate the front drive axle and related components. This unique suspension uses a forged upper control arm and single-piece case-iron lower control arm, efficiently packaged around the front-axle drive system. The steering gear effort and response and the suspension characteristics also are tuned to the handling characteristics of all-wheel-drive vehicles.

2005 AWD Dodge Magnum SXT Model

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum SXT model is $27,900 (excluding $625 destination). This includes the added front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and a 19-gallon fuel tank with the 3.5-liter V-6 High Output engine.

2005 AWD Dodge Magnum RT Model

The MSRP for the 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum RT model is $31,370 (excluding $625 destination). This includes the addition of the front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension. (The five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and 19-gallon fuel tank already are included as standard equipment on the Dodge Magnum RT.)

2005 AWD Chrysler 300 Touring Model

The MSRP for the 2005 AWD Chrysler 300 Touring model is $29,370 (excluding $625 destination). The added front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and a 19-gallon fuel tank are included with the 3.5-liter V-6 High Output engine on the AWD Chrysler 300 Touring model.

2005 Chrysler 300 Limited AWD Option

The 2005 Chrysler 300 Limited will be offered as an all-wheel-drive vehicle through an option package. In addition to the Limited model's standard equipment, this package will add the front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, 18-inch wheels and touring tires, performance disk brakes and a 19-gallon fuel tank with the 3.5-liter V-6 High Output engine. The MSRP for 2005 Chrysler 300 Limited vehicles with the AWD option is $31,215 (excluding $625 destination).

2005 AWD Chrysler 300C Model

The MSRP for the 2005 AWD Chrysler 300C model is $34,195 (excluding $625 destination). This includes the addition of the front differential, transfer case and all-wheel-drive front suspension and 18-inch wheels. (The five-speed automatic transmission, touring tires, performance disk brakes and 19-gallon fuel tank already are included as standard equipment on the Chrysler 300C.)

The 2005 AWD Dodge Magnum and AWD Chrysler 300 will be built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario.

[TriShield]

An SRT-8 Magnum is on the way as well,



Mopar is on a roll. Good thing GM went with the LS2 for the GTO so soon.

[Adam4356]

Sweet, now we can double team ford and show them boys what making real power NA is all about, ahhahahha.

[Red Devil]

I am liking the look of the 06 Charger.

[B/STOCK]

Now we know why the LS2 is standard for 05. Have to keep ahead of the competition.

[TriShield]

With Chrysler coming out with so many different performance cars, it makes me wish GM was more aggresively selling pumped up LS1 Holdens here to counter them, like the Ute SS, Crewman SS, Commodore SS, Caprice SS, Adventura, etc.

[mrgto]

Folks, welcome to 1966 HP Wars all over again.

I freaking love it.

[BluGoatDvr]

Quote: Originally Posted by mrgto... Folks, welcome to 1966 HP Wars all over again. I freaking love it.

WORD!...Its nice to see RWD V8 HP come back in style. Too bad I can only afford one new car at a time.

[Warren]

Quote: Originally Posted by TriShield... With Chrysler coming out with so many different performance cars, it makes me wish GM was more aggresively selling pumped up LS1 Holdens here to counter them, like the Ute SS, Crewman SS, Commodore SS, Caprice SS, Adventura, etc.

1 Ute SS for me, thank you. Once I found out that the GTO was going to be built by Holden, I looked at, and fell in love with the Ute. I am an elCamino man by heart. I wonder what I would trade in, the GTO or my Silverado. The free trade agreement between Australia and the US may help us out.

But, I am afraid that we may have to wait until production of the GTO platform moves to the US for it to happen though. The elCamino has fans, but not all of them want a 350 SS version. Some of them like the little V-6 variety. I doubt just 18,000 of them would be enough, and likely drive up the price for "dealer markups" that we have seen with the GTO.

[phobos512]

All I can say about this is - you can see how much more the SRT-6 Crossfire costs over the regular Crossfire. Look for very much the same treatment here. They're still going to sell like hotcakes, should they ever make it to the retail channel, but they're going to cost a boatload more money because of that pesky word "Daimler" in the manufacturer's name.

[mixedxboy]

yay for 420 hp, boo for styling. i was a fan of the 300C, but that charger looks like absolute crap. it migh have been cool about 15 years ago (in fact it looks a lot like corvettes from that era) but not a touch of class, and it certainly has nothing on our gto, which is funny because styling is one of the factors that people blame low gto sales on. but i do like that fact that they're pushing performance and gm will have to keep up. maybe we'll be seeing the return of the camaro or something like that as well?

[B/STOCK]

Quote: Originally Posted by phobos512... All I can say about this is - you can see how much more the SRT-6 Crossfire costs over the regular Crossfire. Look for very much the same treatment here. They're still going to sell like hotcakes, should they ever make it to the retail channel, but they're going to cost a boatload more money because of that pesky word "Daimler" in the manufacturer's name.

Just finished the C&D article and was floored by the price. $45,695 coupe, $49,995 Vert. 5 speed auto tranny only. No sticks. Weighs 3,200 lbs and has 330 HP.

Doesn't work for me

[leafbumperin]

Quote: Originally Posted by B/STOCK... Just finished the C&D article and was floored by the price. $45,695 coupe, $49,995 Vert. 5 speed auto tranny only. No sticks. Weighs 32,000lbs and has 330 HP. Doesn't work for me

32,000lbs huh? Man, that engine must be pushing out a lot of torque just to get that sucker rolling!

[phobos512]

Somehow I think that 32,000 lbs is a typo...I doubt very much this thing weighs as much as several commercial buses, unless it's made of lead.

[TriShield]

Quote: Originally Posted by Warren... But, I am afraid that we may have to wait until production of the GTO platform moves to the US for it to happen though.

Production will never happen here if they only sell a few thousand per year like the GTO is on track to do, it's not worth retooling a plant for that amount. Since the small market of the GTO isn't using up Holden's excess capacity, I think they should make a run of two and four door El Caminos for Chevrolet.

Don't forget the Ute is a much cheaper vehicle than the Monaro ($29kUSD vs. $40kUSD), I'm sure that'd be reflected in the US sticker price.

[SDLS1Rider]

Quote: Originally Posted by mixedxboy... but i do like that fact that they're pushing performance and gm will have to keep up. maybe we'll be seeing the return of the camaro or something like that as well?

Rumor has it that the Camaro will return for the the 07 model year. Some people are quite convinced of it. But I haven't seen any hard facts yet.

[TriShield]

Quote: Originally Posted by SDLS1Rider... Some people are quite convinced of it. But I haven't seen any hard facts yet.

That's right.

GM could surprise us in a few years, or there simply won't be another Camaro.

[GMH GTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by TriShield... Production will never happen here if they only sell a few thousand per year like the GTO is on track to do, it's not worth retooling a plant for that amount. Since the small market of the GTO isn't using up Holden's excess capacity, I think they should make a run of two and four door El Caminos for Chevrolet. Don't forget the Ute is a much cheaper vehicle than the Monaro ($29kUSD vs. $40kUSD), I'm sure that'd be reflected in the US sticker price.

Its not just about building the GTO here, they will be building other cars on the same platform (zeta?) Cadillac CTS for one. So building the GTO here would be a natural step.

Initially it was speculated a week before the GTO was annouced that the ute was going to be imported. The monaro is a rather expensive car AU$60k, whereas a ute SS and the Commodore SS is AU$40k or 37k for non SS LS1V8. They could have sold the ute or commodore SS here for 25k, I hope they plan on doing that someday.

This is where Lutz's plan to regerate pontiac confuses me, it would make sence to me to have the ute or commodore with the same badge on the front. It makes no sence for ute SS to be badged as a pontiac, so hes gonna call it a chevy elcamino??? Thats where calling the GTO a Lumina SS could have gone along with the flow.

[Shinkaze]

Quote: Originally Posted by B/STOCK... Just finished the C&D article and was floored by the price. $45,695 coupe, $49,995 Vert. 5 speed auto tranny only. No sticks. Weighs 3,200 lbs and has 330 HP. Doesn't work for me

FYI, this car is pretty much a reskined Mercedes SLK32 AMG, which last year was faster in the Qtr mile than a C5 A4 Corvette with the 3.15 gears. That little supercharged motor is making more power than they advertise, the Chrysler overlords at Mercedes Benz just didn't want to advertise it as such.

The new C6 will be faster, but the Chrysler will be cheaper. FWIW though forget the Crossfire, for that kind of money I would just go ahead and get the Mercedes SLK AMG....especially this year now that they reskinned the car and put a 5.5 liter V8 in it.



-Adam

[phobos512]

So are those lights a dealer installed option or...?

[svede1212]

... that's the ricer option. they've taken gound effects lighting to new heights...

[B/STOCK]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shinkaze... FYI, this car is pretty much a reskined Mercedes SLK32 AMG, which last year was faster in the Qtr mile than a C5 A4 Corvette with the 3.15 gears. That little supercharged motor is making more power than they advertise, the Chrysler overlords at Mercedes Benz just didn't want to advertise it as such. The new C6 will be faster, but the Chrysler will be cheaper. FWIW though forget the Crossfire, for that kind of money I would just go ahead and get the Mercedes SLK AMG....especially this year now that they reskinned the car and put a 5.5 liter V8 in it. -Adam

I have never driven the Crossfire but sat in one. Just getting in and out is a chore. I am only 5'11" and the cabin was very tight and not very well appointed. I can't believe that the MB would be that tight. My C5 Vette is a dream to sit in compared to the Crossfire.

[RONINDICE]

My Dad just got a Magnum RT. I must say it is quite nice. Big Hemi V8. Sounds great, lots of storage room (which he needed), good handling, impressive styling. A very cool car all around. Now he has a new car and it just make me wanna get my GTO even more. "Tear"

[teejay]

Quote: Originally Posted by mixedxboy... yay for 420 hp, boo for styling. i was a fan of the 300C, but that charger looks like absolute crap.

I like it. In fact, if I was one of the old farts complaining abut GTO styling, I would point at this, rather than at the Mustang, as "what a GTO should look like". Not retro, but eye catching.

The 300C looks like a cartoon.

[TriShield]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMH GTO... Its not just about building the GTO here, they will be building other cars on the same platform (zeta?) Cadillac CTS for one. So building the GTO here would be a natural step.

The CTS is not a Zeta car, it uses the Sigma architecture which is Cadillac specific. With the Monaro and GTO remaining two flavors of the same car when redesign time comes, I see the chances of it being assembled here as very slim.

[teejay]

Quote: Originally Posted by TriShield... The CTS is not a Zeta car, it uses the Sigma architecture which is Cadillac specific. With the Monaro and GTO remaining two flavors of the same car when redesign time comes, I see the chances of it being assembled here as very slim.

i think it is pretty well established that by about 2007 the Grand Prix will be Rear wheel drive, and there is no reason to think GM could not build a GTO off the same platform.