Exterior

From the outside, the SRT8 is distinguished by its half-inch lower ride height, body color side sill cladding and standard 20-inch wheels. The front fascia features upper and lower grille surrounds in black chrome and LED daytime running lights. Out back, the bumper cap sports twin four-inch exhaust pipes and there is a functional spoiler garnishing the trunk.

The interior starts with a leather-wrapped, heated SRT steering wheel with metal paddle shifters on each side. Integrated into the dashboard is genuine carbon fiber trim, gloss black surrounds and chrome accents. The standard sport seats, upholstered in Alcantara and leather, are heated and ventilated and feature the SRT logo emblazoned on the seatback. The door panels mirror a similar treatment. Underfoot, the accelerator and brake pedals are metal with small rubber nubs for better traction. The car in our photographs was configured with the Radar Red interior, one of two standard colors. For something a bit less boastful, choose the simple black interior or upgrade to the premium leather with Poltrona Frau Foligno upholstery with leather-wrapped door panels, instrument panel, cluster brow and centre console side panels - it's quite classy.

Under the Hood

Like the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 and 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8, this 300 is fitted with a massive 6.4-litre V8. The 90-degree pushrod-operated 16-valve engine has a cast-iron block with aluminum-alloy heads. With a compression ratio of 10.9:1, and burning premium unleaded fuel, the power plant is rated at 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a traditional five-speed torque converter automatic sending power to the rear wheels through a standard Getrag limited-slip differential. According to Chrysler, the 300 SRT8 will sprint to 60 mph in the "high four-second range" with a quarter mile (400 metres) in the "high 12-second range." The sedan's top speed is a reported 281 km/h. For driver control, the two-mode system is cockpit-adjustable between "Auto" and "Sport" through the touch screen console display. Officials suggest that benefits of the system include active damping in both directions of suspension travel and the lack of an abrasive fluid wearing internals over time.