300C SRT8: Hemi muscle, music
Uncertainty hangs over Chrysler LLC these days, as its aggressive new owners ponder strategy, including whacking overlapping models and slow sellers.
But a star product – the Brampton-built, rear-drive Chrysler 300 – continues to shine, offering convincing evidence of what the automaker can achieve.
The big sedan's dramatic, unified presence has made it popular with everyone from fictional Mob pistoleros (David Cronenberg's A History of Violence) to prime ministers (the media often call it a "limo" when Stephen Harper is aboard).
The 300 bowed for 2005, with Montreal's Ralph Gilles (pronounced zheel, reflecting his Haitian roots) as its chief designer.
The design was quickly voted North American Car of the Year.
The line comes in Touring, Limited, 300C (plus Heritage Edition and SRT Design) and 300C SRT8 dress.
SRT (Street and Racing Technology, with the number of cylinders added) is Chrysler's performance sub-brand.
Powetrain choices are generous, one reason for the car's success:
A 250 hp 3.5 L V6 and a four-speed automatic.
A 340 hp 5.7 L Hemi V8 and a Mercedes-designed five-speed automatic. You also get a multi-displacement system that reduces the number of cylinders to four when less power is needed.
A 425 hp, 16-valve, 6.1 L Hemi V8 and the five-speed automatic.
C models get the smaller Hemi, while the big one is reserved for the SRT8.
Options include all-wheel drive and long-wheelbase models that gain 15 cm.
The tester was a 300C SRT8 done in gun-metal grey with slate leather. The SRT8 only comes with RWD and standard wheelbase.
Base prices for 2008: 300, $31,895; 300C, $45,195; 300C SRT8, $52,695.
Other members of the SRT team: Dodge Caliber SRT4, Dodge Magnum SRT8 and Charger SRT8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Dodge Viper SRT10.
Chrysler 300/300C and Dodge Magnum and Charger share the LX platform. The 300 line is slated for a redsign for 2011.
THREE STARS
The harump, harump, harump of the big, premium-fuel Hemi at idle and its exhilarating surge when you hit the loud pedal in situations demanding urgent go.
The austerely handsome dash, with its white-faced instruments.
The panache of those 20-inch alloy wheels
THREE STRIKES
The bucket-style rear bench and its high centre section, plus the driveline tunnel, make this basically a four-person Chrysler.
The short side glass looks cool, but cuts into the view when touring.
Restricted visibility to the rear can be a drag when parking.
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