On the Road and the Course With Chrysler's Four-Door Cruise Missile

If you're reading this review, chances are you're interested in owning Chrysler's majestically-maniacal 300C SRT8.

Start saving for a speeding ticket now.

The twisted engineers at SRT have done their thing, resulting in a sedan that's luxurious enough to drive your grandparents to church, fast enough to haul you around a racetrack, and anything in between.

Loud and proud, the SRT8 has got that "can blast by you anytime" styling.

Hardcore Hardware
Under the hood is a 6.1-litre HEMI engine attacking the rear wheels. Brembo brakes are fitted to add "woah" to the "go", and bolstered seats are included that hug you in ways you thought you couldn't be hugged. The gigantic 20" rims are wrapped in performance tires, and there are 425 horsepower to tear them to shreds whenever you so much as sneeze on the gas pedal. There's more aggression in this SRT8 than the locker room before a UFC grudge match.

Don't think for a moment that it's some lethargic overweight American sedan that can't handle--because the SRT8 has enough grip to rearrange your internal organs.

Understated Visuals
Wrap all of the above in what amounts to one of the sexiest sedans to roll out of Chrysler, and you've got yourself a recipe for some serious action. The styling differences are subtle at best--though sufficient to gain attention from those looking closely.

Case in point--while driving in the lane next to and slightly behind a school bus full of young people in military gear, one of them pointed out the SRT to his pals from the rear seat. Within seconds, every window on the driver-side of the bus was in its open position, and several arms waved me to pass quickly. I did.

The Drive and Performance
There aren't many words that can describe the merciless ferocity of the 6.1 HEMI at full blast. It snorts like a ticked-off rhinoceros and delivers face-peeling acceleration whenever requested. It winds out to 6,500 revs, and really starts to breathe over about 4,500. You'll invent new swear words every time you press the throttle.

Mega-Hemi 6.1L V8 pounds the pavement with 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

Right down to the initial grumble when the HEMI achieves ignition, every testosterone-laced decibel from the tailpipes seems to enter your ears as if it's been echoed back off the boulevards of Motown on a hot, muggy night.

The SRT badge brings a whole new sense of duty to the 300. It's a machine designed to devour straight stretches of pavement with distressing speed. It's also gifted with nearly rollercoaster cornering grip, though the steering lacks enough feedback to truly pull drivers into the experience. The brakes, though hugely powerful, are much the same thing. Unlike some of its German competition (which, incidentally, costs lots and lots more), it feels less like a performance car and more like someone put a rocket-thruster into a luxury sedan. To some, that's a good thing.

The big 300 handles much better than its large size would indicate.

On the Track
Laps around a circuit proved its potency. Despite the size, SRT8 handled like a much smaller car. Though hard to place precisely in tight corners, it whips around apexes happily. Powerful and fade-resistant Brembo brakes allow drivers to dive into corners after late-braking, and there's always plenty of power to accelerate out--sideways optionally. What a fantastic machine for the business executive who likes to attend lapping sessions on weekends.

Important Numbers
0-100 comes up in five seconds on the way to a quarter mile pass of about 13 seconds. It gets about as many miles per gallon too, if you aren't careful. There's this constant temptation to throw environmental caution to the wind and unleash hell coming out of every light. Doing so puts the fuel consumption at the same rate as a refinery fire.

If you can't be light-footed when appropriate, then you'd best be a shareholder in an oil company. Spirited city driving nets fuel consumption of about 16 L/100 km, with highway mileage at a sustained 130 km/h averaging 11.2 L/100 km.

Huge tailpipes, equally colossal 20" wheels and fender flares leave no doubt as to what this car can do.

Can you live with such a beast?
As a performance-designated flagship model, everything Chrysler knows about building a car is in here. There's a great-sounding stereo system with 6-CD changer and MP3 compatibility. A U-Connect system connects your cell phone to the stereo system for handsfree calling. There's power everything, memory seats and even a user-friendly navigation system to make sure you can find a gas station any time you need one. It's decidedly American in its execution, and never feels like it's trying to imitate anybody.

Interior is decidedly American in styling and quality but still luxurious in most regards.

Powerful xenon lighting brightly illuminates nighttime roadways and there are rain-sensing wipers and excellent visibility. The 300C SRT8 is a machine that ensures drivers have a good view at all times. For a train, it's easy to park, too.

Buy One?
Sure--because if you wanted this sort of power from a European manufacturer, you'd easily pay twice as much--or more. In terms of bang for the buck in a sedan, this machine is off the charts. Just make sure you've got the following in order before signing on the dotted line:

1. You've got a friend on the local police force, or know a great lawyer
2. You own shares in your favorite tire company
3. Nobody from Greenpeace lives near you
4. You don't mind frequenting the local gas station