Chrysler 300 SRT arrives

Packing a monstrous 6.4-litre V8 that belts out a colossal 350 kilowatts of power, the updated Chrysler 300 SRT has lobbed in Australia.

Based on the regular Chrysler 300, the large American muscle sedan is now in Aussie dealerships, comprising two variants: the entry-level 300 SRT Core (from $59,000 plus on-road costs) and the 300 SRT ($69,000 plus on-roads).

Minor cosmetic upgrades have been made to the car’s exterior along with plenty of interior tweaks, including the adoption of a rotary gear shifter. Both models are equipped with a slightly more powerful 350kW/637Nm version of the 6.4-litre HEMI V8, up by 3kW and 6Nm thanks to exhaust tweaks.

Brembo brakes, a Getrag limited-slip differential and even a programmable launch control system are also standard on both models. But perhaps the most important change is that the big V8 will pump through a new eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous five-speed unit.

That the Chrysler 300 SRT was developed primarily with Australian customers in mind is a coup for the importer, explains Alan Swanson, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia's senior manager of product strategy.

"This particular car isn't available in the US and we're very, very proud that this vehicle is here with us in Australia.

"It's part of a massive push from FCA Australia, to bring this car, to work with the SRT teams in Michigan. Our requests, our lobbying were met with a massive amount of enthusiasm," he explained.

"It's got a real enthusiast following. The engineers recognised the market, the desire for performance variants, and realised that SRT for us is an important thing."

The all-American bruiser is clearly trying to differentiate itself from its closest rivals, including the HSV Clubsport, which is more expensive at $61,990. The HSV's 6.2-litre V8 also has less power and torque; 325kW/550Nm vs the Chrysler's 350kW/637Nm.

Standard features on the 300 SRT Core, which is now a full-time model, include 20-inch five-spoke satin black alloy wheels, 360mm front and 340mm rear disc brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers, Bilstein dampers, a mechanical limited-slip diff, flat-bottom leather steering wheel, launch control, 4-inch round exhaust tips, a six-speaker stereo and cloth sports seats with SRT lettering.

Drop another $10,000 and the premium model builds on this with three-mode adaptive suspension, polished aluminium 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, leather and alcantara seats, a Harman Kardon 19-speaker stereo with subwoofer, carbon-fibre interior trim, satellite navigation and a host of driver aids. These include adaptive radar cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection.

The tyre-shredding HEMI V8 engine will run on regular 91 RON petrol and is claimed to consume fuel at a rate of 13L/100km on the combined cycle, while emitting 302g/km CO2.

Swanson explained that the new 300 SRT still packs a massive punch, but has a "good chance" outselling its predecessor because it's now a more sophisticated beast.

"We've brought something which is quite different from the previous one … from the way it drives to improved levels of quality of materials in the interior, comfort levels, these have all moved forward," he said.

For the last decade "one third of all 300s sold have been SRT-branded variants", observed the FCA executive and he expects the new model to push that share even higher.

Stay tuned for the full review of the new Chrysler 300 SRT early on Friday August 28.