2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8

The cabin, at least by the standards of most $40,000 cars, is understated. The SRT8's insides are largely stock 300C, with SRT-only trim for door pulls and center stack, a grippy leather wheel cover, and a set of power adjustable sport seats. Suede seat inserts in front and back help keep the driver and passengers grounded during spirited driving. A full set of gauges, white-faced and green lit, also come with the SRT8, and newly added for '06, is a tire pressure monitoring display. Also new on the option sheet are a 13-speaker, 322-watt "Kicker" audio system and rear-passenger DVD system.


What's found under the hood, however, is anything but understated. Pop the latch, peek around the plastic and you'll see a HEMI Orange painted big block, a bored out, 6.1 liter Hemi head V-8 putting out 425 hp (@6,000 rpm) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (@4,800 rpm). Chrysler makes their new generation HEMIs in several different flavors. You'll find the 6.1 under the "Take-no-prisoners" section of the menu. As is the case in the disturbingly appealing Magnum SRT8, the 370 cubic inch "big" HEMI in the 300 makes for a tire roasting good time. Beyond the cylinder boring, SRT tuning tricks include high flow aluminum heads, larger than standard intake runners, and bigger diameter valves. Even with its brick-like profile, 60 miles an hour arrives in about five seconds, and the quarter mile arrives in the low 13-second range. As good as it goes, so too it stops, traversing the old Cobra 0-60-0 benchmark in roughly 16 seconds. Power flows evenly though the five-speed automatic transmission and, when stood on, the engine plays a soundtrack straight from the '60s: Mopar Muscle's Greatest Hits.

Interior

Underpinning all this muscle is a lowered, stiffened chassis. With some componentry borrowed from the last generation E-Class, the SRT8 corners fast and flat. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) can't be defeated, but it can be delayed with the flick of a switch. ESP is more indulgent this time 'round, allowing more roughish behavior before stepping in to keep things in line. The price you pay for all this fun is a hard ride on rough roads, if the pavement is mostly smooth in your part of the world, you might not notice, but here in the rust belt (our motto: Land of 1,000 Potholes), you will. The SRT8's grip is enhanced by a set of staggered sized, Eagle F-1 tires. Chrysler calls them three-season tires and they kid you not. Driving the SRT8 in the snow on these tires conjures up images of a football player crossing a frozen pond (not recommended). Chrysler offers an optional swap for a set of more four-season-friendly Eagle RS-As.


A regular series 300C with the 5.7 HEMI and All Wheel Drive will suit most buyers best. The combination of looks, practical performance, and comfort makes my rolling top ten list. The 300C SRT8 plays a different role, one originated by the legendary Letter Cars. It's wicked fast, it's fun, it's not politically correct, and it simply doesn't care. Now, just as back then, the idea is simple: Nothing exceeds like excess. Compared to Euro uber-sedans, the 425-hp SRT8's base price of $39,995 is a good value in this segment. And this time, expect no carping from the Mopar faithful. The SRT8 has earned its letters. (www.chrysler.com)