The official stand on the Chrysler 300 from FCA is this: You can get one of two 3.6L V6-powered models, you can get all-wheel-drive only with the V6, and if you want a V8, you get the 363-hp 5.7L Hemi engine. Oh, and the Chrysler SRT-8 isn’t available in the U.S. market anymore. Well, ain’t that a swift kick right in the kids…the Chrysler SRT-8 existed as sort of an evil villain’s car, enough luxuries to be comfortable, enough attitude to be properly fast, and sufficiently affordable enough to be owned. While FCA’s move to turn Dodge into the performance brand and turn Chrysler into a mainstream brand is understandable, every brand needs a halo car and the SRT-8 functioned well for Chrysler.
Now, it appears that brand-new SRT Chryslers are starting to pop up in the Middle East. This footage from the YouTube channel MotoringMiddleEast recently appeared, and is not a test so much as a quick ride-along. With that being said, here’s what we can gather: the SRT Pages system found in the Charger and Challenger looks seamlessly integrated into the Chrysler’s layout, and the only thing that appears to be raided from the parts bin is the “SRT” steering wheel…not a bad thing at all. Ok, maybe a few things, mostly the 485hp 6.4L Hemi drivetrain from the Dodge Charger SRT Scat Pack. The exhaust note is snotty and the car obviously has grunt, judging from the reactions. They claim it even spun tires in third gear! And the pictures of test models found online show a nearly-identical form to the standard 300C, but with a tiny SRT logo in the grille.
Dear FCA: We completely understand if you want to keep the Hellcat exclusively for Dodge…really, we do. But, given that all of the pieces exist, are already smog-certified and legal for the market anyways, can you explain why the Chrysler SRT can’t even be special ordered in the States? Because from where we stand, we’re getting gypped.
Sounds like the guys that run the local 7-11!
Damn right we’re getting screwed on that one. The SRT8 version could seriously compete for buyers against the more expensive CTS-V and German luxury sports sedans. A limited run of hellcat 300s (call it 300H) with subtle distinct styling cues ect. would sell like hot cakes. The Hellcat could be called the “firepower” for nostalgia reasons, special wheels, all the options standard, quilted stitching on the seats ect. Limit production to 300 total units and watch buyers line up.
I would probably buy a 300H with “Firepower” if they did that.
Me too IF they would finance me. I’d probably have to trade in all of my projects for the downpayment.
We get them in Australia too…this from a local review:
They boned a bit of kit from the SRT8 Chrysler 300 to produce the Core model, and brought the price back to a seriously tempting $56,000. And you hardly miss the extra goodies from the full strength SRT8. The most obvious deletion is leather upholstery and some of the driver assist features have disappeared but — as the name suggests — this car cuts to the core of what the Chrysler 300 SRT8 is all about.
The key factors remain: the 6.4-litre, V8 engine, 20-inch wheels, sports suspension, Brembo four-pot brakes and burbling dual exhaust. You can’t tell the difference on the road. Neither can you tell when viewing the docked tail beast apart from Core badging. What you do get for a lot less than an HSV or FPV is a superb cruising sedan with a whole lot of attitude and still, the class leading output for a naturally aspirated V8 this side of $100,000.