Chrysler 300C SRT-8 2006 Review

7-day Test

Fast forward 40 years and times have changed, right? No, sirreee, as Chrysler borrows the 'old school' styling cues, performance credentials and in-ya-face looks of those muscle cars of old to bring us the SRT-8 version of its 300C sedan.

Building on the already impressive 5.7-litre V8 300C, the SRT-8 version gets even more attitude and grunt as well as improved cornering ability courtesy of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology division.

That means a seriously fettled version of the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, boosted to 6.1-litres, including new heads with higher quality valves, new arched intake manifold, special exhaust headers, camshaft, forged crankshaft, and high compression pistons.

The result? An adrenalin-pumping 317kW/566Nm, with maximum torque at 4600rpm, delivered from idle in a syrupy smooth manner thanks to an incisive five-speed auto. Making light work of its almost two tonne baggage, the SRT-8 rockets to 100km/h from standstill in just over 5.0sec.

While refined and well-mannered around town (although the stiffer suspension delivers a firmer ride) it gets down and boogies on demand, with a tyre-screech or burnout only a throttle nudge away. Those monster Brembo brakes do the job, too. And did I mention the deliciously aggressive exhaust note…

Insider there's two plush, sports seats, good for soaking up the bumps as well as stopping the bum from going numb on the Melbourne-Sydney run. They also keep you firmly in place when hustling through corners. Rear seat passengers are treated to two contoured leather/suede pews with plenty of leg and headroom, while the boot is capacious.

Equipment levels are even higher than the 300C; additional items including power-adjustable front seats, with memory and heating, and leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel.

There's even a 'bad-ass' stereo, with powerful six-stack, 13 speaker CD system complete with thumping sub-woofer in the boot. While some 'fake' dash trim lowers the tone, overall the cabin theme conveys luxury rather than low-rent.

Externally, building on the chopped top, Gangsta look is a body kit, SRT-8 badges and guard-filling 20 x 9-inch forged wheels.

At $71,990, the 300C SRT-8 stacks up well on paper against its locally-made competition, including the all-new $76,990 HSV Senator Signature and $71,660 FPV GT-P models.

And while old-fashioned in spirit, it has its share of modern technology thanks to parts from Mercedes-Benz's last generation E-Class. Fuel consumption is archaic though, promising a wallet-emptying 14lt/100km on average or worse if you're a leadfoot.

And if you think Chrysler hasn't gone far enough, you can always upgrade further with factory accessories like a chrome grille and side skirts with illuminated entry lights.

'Pimp my Ride' anyone?!