Chrysler 300 SRT ‘put on hold’

If you want to buy a sub-$70,000 V8-powered rear-drive sedan, you’d better get your skates on because stocks of the Chrysler 300 SRT are dwindling and future supply remains uncertain.

Strong demand for the V8-powered Chrysler 300 in the US is understood to be behind the decision by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to stop supplying the Australian market.

While there are still vehicles remaining in showrooms across Australia, it’s unclear what will occur once current supplies are exhausted.

“The Chrysler 300 SRT ordering has been put on hold due to production constraints,” said an FCA Australia spokesperson.

“We currently have stock available for customers and will keep customers updated once we have more information.”

Given recent reports overseas claiming that Chrysler is set to be terminated under the newly-formed Stellantis group (a merger of FCA and Groupe PSA), the Chrysler 300 – as the American brand’s only model offered in Australia – could be nearing the end of the line Down Under.

The Chrysler 300 SRT sedan is powered by a potent 6.4-litre HEMI V8 (350kW/637Nm) that drives the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

After sealing a deal with NSW Police in 2017 to supply highway patrol cars until the end of 2021, Australia is one of the few countries in which the V8-powered Chrysler 300 is still available in showrooms.

But that could soon change, and we should know more when Stellantis releases further details on the ramifications of the merger on January 16.