2008 Chrysler 300C SRT8

NEWS & REVIEWS That thing got a Hemi? You bet. That and 6.1-liters, 425 bhp, and enough grunt to fricassee its 20-inch tires all the way from standstill to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. This is the flagship 300—the SRT8. It’s the creation of the petrolheads at Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) group, which has a five-point mission statement: all its cars must have a stand-out powertrain, benchmark brakes, a horny exterior, a race-inspired interior, and world-class ride and handling. Five minutes with an SRT8 and you’ll be checking all those boxes. For a big four door, crushing the scales at 4,160 pounds, it not only goes like stink and stops like it means to, but also the thing carves curves, recording 0.89 g on the skid pan. And it looks like Hulk Hogan in a tux, with its groundscraping front spoiler, 20-inch forged alloys, and deck-mounted rear spoiler. The interior gets an upgrade in quality for 2008, but even at $42 grand, it’s still a performance steal. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2007 Chrysler 300C SRT8

NEWS & REVIEWS Ever since Snoop Dogg called up the boss of Chrysler, Dr. Z, to say, “Dude, send me one of those 300Cs over,” the car’s been hotter than Florida in August. And the hi-po SRT8 version from Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division only adds to the 300’s appeal. Packing a towering 425 bhp from its 6.1-liter V-8, it’s good for a tire-fryin’ zero-to-60-mph dash in just 4.9 seconds. Which for a big four door, crushing the scales at 4,160 pounds, is mighty impressive. Giant, vented Brembo brakes ensure the 300C stops as effectively as it goes, with standard 20-inch forged alloys, shod with 45-section rubber, keep the big Chrysler superglued to the blacktop. And seeing the SRT8 on the streets will spin heads faster than Pam Anderson on a pogo stick. It comes with deeper front and rear fascias, plus a deck-mounted rear spoiler and those big 20s to differentiate it from lesser 300s. And, yup, it does have a Hemi. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8

NEWS & REVIEWS If it’s cool enough for Snoop Dogg, it’s cool enough for us. When the 300C first appeared, the Snoop called up the boss of Chrysler to say he’d have to have one. And you can bet if the new SRT8 version was available then he would’ve asked for that. Packing a towering 425 bhp from its 6.1-liter V-8, it’s good for zero-to-60 sprints in 4.9 seconds. Which for a big four door, tipping the scales at 4,160 pounds, is mighty impressive. Giant, vented Brembo brakes ensure the 300C stops as effectively as it goes, while 20-inch forged-alloy wheels shod with 45-section rubber keep the big Chrysler super-glued to the blacktop. Seeing the SRT8 on the streets will spin heads faster than a J. Lo sighting. Deeper front and rear fascias, plus a deck-mounted rear spoiler and those thin-spoked 20s distinguish it from lesser 300s. And, yep, it does have a Hemi. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge