Pulse-raising sedan

Chrysler 300C SRT8, with 0-100km in five seconds straight, is a great value muscle car as OER finds out in a test drive

What makes Chrysler 300C SRT-8 so exceptional is that it is probably one of the few sedans that combines the refinement and performance of the expensive super sedans with an affordable price tag of RO20,000. The car is meant for those who wish to have sports car performance from their sedan without compromising on seating and luggage space. The latest addition to Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology Series (SRT) is an excellent combination of power, style, comfort and space.

Power Packed Performance
The moment you are in the driver’s seat, there is a special feeling of driving an awesome sized head turner a car with the raw power of a 6-litre plus engine. It develops 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque from a high-compression-ratio 6.1-litre Hemi V-8. The torque peaks at 4800 rpm. That may sound high for an engine of this size but the copious displacement means enough torque is available off idle to put the limited-slip differential to good use.

The five-speed automatic transmission gives instant upshifts and downshifts. Full-throttle shifts lead to an explosive sonic boom from the exhaust. Back off the throttle, and the sound becomes smooth and unobtrusive. Even at over 120 kmph, you don’t hear the engine much, just the low decibel sound of the blowing wind and the humming of the wide tyres when your stereo system is not on. It is not light weighing in at 2,280 kg but sprints from 0-100 km in 5 seconds with a top speed of up to 280 kmph.

The weight of the SRT8 is effectively hidden by suspension changes that lower and stiffen the chassis. Handling has been upgraded compared to the standard 300C sedan with a lower ride height (by one-half inch), beefier anti-roll bars, stiffer springs, sophisticated Bilstein shock absorbers and Brembo disc brakes. Bilstein and Brembo are both hallowed suppliers of racing and high-performance parts, which is why they’re tapped for Chrysler’s SRT. The striking 20-inch wheels look nearly big enough to double as turbofan blades on an aircraft. The tyre sizes are staggered — smaller 245/45R-20 fronts and slightly larger 255/45R-20 rears.

The car’s standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is tuned to maximise cornering abilities and can allow the car to slide through curves with ease.

Comfortable Ride

With 106.6 cubic feet of passenger room, it’s more than just spacious. The seats are supportive and wide enough to fit in the bigger drivers and passengers quite comfortably. The standard 60/40-split folding rear seat accommodates long objects and passengers alike. The 120-inch wheelbase provides a roomy interior and good foot clearance for stepping in and out of the rear seat.

The well-appointed interior features satin silver accents and an elegant analog clock. It offers memory-controlled amenities like power-adjustable pedals, driver’s seat and radio presets. So in case the car is going to be used by more than one person regularly, the drivers won’t be required to change the settings every time as per their comfort.

SRT-8 is quite popular among the younger segment of the auto buyers. No wonder Chrysler has made sure that the stereo system is as good as the rest of the features of the car. As a standard fitment, SRT-8 comes with AM/FM stereo with an integral six-disc CD/MP3 player and full-screen navigation system. The sound generated from Boston Acoustics six premium speakers with subwoofer and 276-watt digital amplifier is deafening

The long hood and tall sedan styling give this vehicle an unmistakably strong presence, while available chromed details like body side-molding accents, exterior mirrors, and door handles add a touch of style. As I was driving through Muscat heads were turning with envy.

It comes fitted with a rain-sensing wiper system. The infrared rain sensor, located on the inside of the windshield just below the rearview mirror, automatically activates the wipers when it senses moisture on the windshield and adjusts the wiper speed based on the speed of the vehicle, be it rain or road splash from the vehicle ahead.

With mercury soaring above 44 degree centigrade, this may not be the right time to bring the outside in with the vent, tilt, and slide power sunroof using the one-touch express-open/close feature. Press the button once and the sunroof opens to let in the sun or stars or closes to keep out the rain.

For those who often end up dinging other cars while parking, they will be pleased to find the ParkSense rear park assist system quite useful. It uses sound waves to detect nearby obstacles in and near the rear path of the vehicle to help you maneuver into tight spaces. The audio-visual indicators in the overhead display in the rear of the vehicle alert you to the proximity of most larger, stationary objects that might be outside your line of sight.

Like in most powerful vehicles, Chrysler has taken extra care to ensure the safety of the passengers in the event of a mishap. Safety cage architecture protects occupants by managing and controlling energy in the event of an accident. Advanced front multistage air bags are empowered by the occupant classification system (OCS) according to the weight of the front passenger.

Though it would be unfair to make a comparison of SRT-8 with other vehicles, its closest competitors are the BMW M5, Cadillac STS-V, Chevrolet Impala SS, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. The rich features of SRT-8 — at a very competitive price of RO20,000 — makes it one of the most affordable and desirable vehicle in its segment in Oman.

Road test courtesy Zubair Automotive LLC, the dealers of Chrysler vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman

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