Chrysler 300 SRT-8

The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury car first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built as a high-end sedan while the SRT-8 model was designed to be the high-performance version. The Chrysler 300 is also marketed in Australia, as the first full-size Chrysler vehicle sold there since the Valiant was discontinued in 1981. The car will be sold in Europe as the Lancia Thema beginning in October 2011.

SRT-8

2005-2010 Chrysler 300C SRT-8

Chrysler introduced the SRT-8 version of the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2004. It includes a new 370-cubic-inch, 6.1 L Hemi V8 which produces 425 hp (317 kW). Preliminary performance targets for the 300C SRT8 are 0-60 mph in the high 4-second range and quarter-mile time in the low 13-second range. It went on sale in February 2005 and has a sticker price of US$43,695 as of 2006 plus applicable taxes. Additional features include leather SRT-8 performance-embossed seats and 20-inch forged, polished aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes, and a rear lip spoiler.

See also: Street and Racing Technology

Second generation

A redesigned 300 was introduced in 2011. Exterior changes include a revised body, bi-xenon HID projector headlights, LED daytime running strips within the headlights, modified tail lights with LEDs and a horizontally slotted front grill. The car also features an updated version of the Chrysler brand's winged emblem. Thinner roof pillars and a more raked windshield will contribute to improved visibility. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof will offer twice the outward visibility of an average sunroof. The new 300 has optional 20-inch polished-aluminum wheels. Interior upgrades included a new instrument panel with "soft-touch" materials throughout, 8.4 inch Uconnect Touch, new steering wheel and center console. Both seat-mounted and curtain side airbags were made standard.

The predecessors' 2.7- and 3.5-liter engines were replaced with Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 292 horsepower (218 kW) and 260 lb·ft (350 N·m) of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine remained available with 363 horsepower. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 will also be available in Europe.^[5]

The 2011 model is offered in Touring, Limited, 300C, and 300C AWD configurations. Touring and Limited trims will come with the Pentastar V6 while the 300C line will offer the 5.7. ^[6] A 300S trim was introduced in 2011 New York International Auto Show, which featured a blacked-out grille and headlamps, as well as 20-inch polished-face aluminum wheels with black painted pockets, and a 300C Executive series.
The 300C will be marketed as Lancia Thema in all European markets except the United Kingdom, where it will retain the Chrysler marque.^[7]

SRT-8 

An SRT-8 version was unveiled at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, powered by a 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 engine. The 6.4 392 Hemi engine is also used in other Chrysler Group SRT vehicles. with 465 hp, the new 300 SRT-8 can go from zero to 60 mile\h in the high 4 seconds range.