Hi-po 300C burns Aussie bitumen

Chrysler has released its most powerful four-door ever Down Under. The SRT8 officially went on sale last week boasting a peak horsepower output of 317kW!

The 6.1-litre V8-powered hotrod is a tweaked version of the marque’s edgey 300C luxury sedan. In addition to the monster HEMI engine, the SRT8 features retuned suspension, upgraded running gear and an interior and exterior makeover.

Standard equipment on the SRT8 includes: multi-stage front and side airbags, ABS, ESP and park assist. Sports seats are part of the makeover and as you'd expect there's all the mod-cons. Indeed, according to Chrysler, such is the level of standard equipment, the only option offered on the SRT8 is a power sunroof ($2430).

SRT (Street and Racing Technology) is Chrysler’s performance division: think as HSV is to Holden and FPV to Ford. The outfit fettles the 300C to create the SRT8. Its handiwork is also in evidence in the Crossfire SRT6 and the yet-to-be-released locally, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Chrysler claims a 0-100km/h time in the “mid-five-second” range for the 300C SRT8.

Rolling on 20-inch alloys and featuring Brembo brakes, the car is priced from $71,990. This is lineball with its two locally-built rivals, the HSV Senator and FPV GT-P.