Chrysler 300 SRT8: a gentleman’s hot rod

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Where the previous generation Chrysler 300 was big, chunky and bold, the latest version introduced for this year is refined and elegant. The 300 definitely looks the part of a large luxury cruiser, until you add the SRT8 gingerbread and performance enhancements to it. Then you have a gentleman’s hot rod.

The 300 SRT8 sneaks under the radar because the elegant, more formal body lines stand in sharp contrast to the bold colors and flashy Coke-bottle shape of its Dodge Charger SRT8 brother.

As for engine muscle, the SRT8 went the bigger-is-better route using a sturdy cast-iron block of 6.4 liters stuffed with aluminum heads and other performance upgrades to achieve 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. When you don’t need V-8 power, a cylinder cutoff feature allows you to cruise on four-cylinder power for a 25 percent increase in fuel economy.

A new active valve exhaust system allows the engine to use of a broader rpm range using half the cylinders. This system also lets exhaust gases bypass the middle and rear mufflers, giving the 300 SRT8 a sweet tone at wide-open throttle. The result is Environmental Protection Agency ratings of 14 mpg city and 23 mpg highway – not great, but power plays cost.

My SRT8 came with a five-speed automatic autostick, the only transmission offered. It was smooth but it did come with a few hang-ups: The automatic shifter and console squeaked noticeably every time I shifted. My kids, along with several adult passengers, commented about the noise. So I switched to the column shift paddles, which were fun but you don’t want to use them constantly. The paddles are also intrusive; I found myself hitting them each time I used the turn signal, causing the car to downshift.

When you step up to the SRT8 you’re getting more than a big engine and some fat p245/45ZR20 tires on 20-inch rims. The SRT8 received suspension tweaks that really allow some performance driving. The sport setting activates a stiffer ride and quickens shifts. You will likely only use this setting when you want a performance kick and the coast is clear. It’s not the ideal setup for around-town driving.

With 20-inch wheels/tires and SRT suspension enhancements the ride is firm on all but smooth highway. The performance electric-assist steering has a quicker, more responsive ratio activated through a thick flat-bottom steering wheel.

Putting all these SRT performance enhancements to work is pure fun. The two-mode adapting dampening suspension worked well. Tossing this heavy car into turns is no problem because it sets up well and tracks cleanly with little body lean. As for straight-line acceleration, it slams you back hard into your seats.

The performance brakes are stout and feature rain brake support for wet driving. All-speed traction control is included along with hill start assist (rollback); my test car came with optional blind spot detection (handy), forward collision warning (annoying at times) and adaptive cruise control.

Overall the cockpit redesign of the 300 eschewed the previous generation’s hard plastic look and replaced it with a soft, proper luxury interior. The real standout feature of the dash are two handsome, continuously lit baby blue gauges with a high-resolution screen that puts your trip data and some engine monitoring data at a quick glance. The dash buttons have been morphed (relocated) into virtual buttons on an 8.4-inch touch screen that also shows the park-view backup images.

Thankfully the center screen is easy to navigate, but the fun features are the extra SRT performance gauges that include 0-to-60 times, quarter mile stopwatch and lateral-g readout. Having the information is fun and habit forming because you constantly want to better your times. If you’re looking for a more relaxed way to get somewhere there is a Garmin GPS display that works fine but felt dated.

The interior materials feature rich fabrics, optional leather with French stitching, nice-looking metallic trim pieces and carbon-fiber accents that are sporty but high end in execution. A word to the wise: The form-fitting, supportive ventilated sport seats are for those who maintain an athletic physique. I really liked these seats, but they will not be for everyone. Rear seat head room (even with sunroof) is good and leg room is good for two; three makes it cozy.

Getting into this car will cost you – big. My test car started a $47,170. To that lofty figure add a safety/technology package, a premium speaker group and a 20-inch three-season performance tire package and the gas guzzler tax. This sent the total zooming to $53,135. The Chrysler 300 SRT8 is a luxurious, fast and good-looking machine that I would not mind parking in my driveway, although it’s not in the same league as Audi or Mercedes-Benz.