CHRYSLER 300C SRT-8

Chrysler Adds Even More Horsepower to HEMI with New 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8
With 85 more horses under the hood, the momentum continues for the Chrysler 300 and its HEMI engine. Today, the Chrysler Group revealed the 425-horsepower 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8.

"With a nearly 50 percent take rate, the HEMI is a critical ingredient to the success of the Chrysler 300," said Dan Knott, Director - Street and Racing Technology (SRT). "With the new 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8, we are now adding even more horsepower to the HEMI and even more performance to the Chrysler 300C".


Preliminary performance targets for the 300C SRT-8 are 0-60 mph in the low 5-second range and quarter-mile time in the high13-second range.



Powertrain
The 425-horsepower, normally aspirated 6.1-liter HEMI is the highest specific-output engine ever offered by the Chrysler Group. Its 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds even that of the legendary 1966 "Street HEMI." Torque is rated at 420 lb-ft.


When SRT set out to develop a more powerful HEMI for the Chrysler 300C SRT-8, they were mindful of the engine's heritage, which led to adopting traditional HEMI engine cues, such as an orange-painted cylinder block and black valve covers.

The SRT powertrain engineers who developed the Chrysler 300C SRT-8's engine achieved more horsepower by adding more cubic inches, increasing the compression ratio, redesigning the cylinder head intake and exhaust systems for increased flow, and increasing engine speed.

To get more displacement, SRT engineers bored out the diameter of the cylinders in the Chrysler 300C SRT-8's HEMI by 3.5 millimeters each, to increase the total displacement to 6.1 liters from 5.7 liters. Compression ratio was also increased to 10.3:1 from 9.6:1, unleashing more energy in the combustion process.


Ride and Handling
The Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is conditioned for outstanding ride and handling across the dynamic range that customers are likely to experience.


Chassis setup for the Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is aimed at all-around performance with a number of enhancements, including tuned dampers, specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings and larger-diameter anti-sway bars. New front and rear suspension knuckles contribute to a ride height lowered one-half inch from the Chrysler 300C. And, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has been specially tuned for the SRT-8's performance handling characteristics.


The Chrysler 300C SRT-8 connects with the road via a new wheel and tire assembly consisting of 20-inch forged aluminum wheels shod with high-performance Goodyear F1 three-season tires (four-season tires are an available option) with asymmetrical tread. Tire dimensions are a beefy 245/45/20 in the front, and 255/45/20 in the rear.


Braking performance goes hand-in-hand with the new Chrysler 300C SRT-8's outstanding accelerating and speed - and the braking system was specially designed to slow and stop the car safely and predictably. All four wheels feature stout performance calipers developed by Brembo - well-known in racing and high-performance circles - equipped with four pistons for even comparing performance.


Design
Befitting its high-performance character, the new 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8 exterior styling is a sophisticated treatment that resonates with the Chrysler brand's premium character.


Modified front and rear fascias help direct air flow, particularly through unique ducts that help cool the brakes. In addition, a specially designed rear deck spoiler, while refined in appearance, is also functional - increasing rear downforce by 39 percent without increasing drag.

Other unique touches to the Chrysler 300C SRT-8's exterior include body-color front and rear bumper inserts, body-color grille insert with chrome collar, body-color mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging.


Two exterior colors are available: Bright Silver and Brilliant Black.