Car and Driver road test 300C SRT8

[phil385]

My new June Car and Driver came in the mail today....and they have a road test of the 300C SRT8. They seem to like it alot. So do I. A few stats from the article:

As tested: $45,450
0-60 mph: 4.7
Standing 1/4 mile: 13.2 @ 109 mph
Top speed: 173 mph !!!

Wow I am really impressed. These are the first numbers i have seen from a magazine. There may have been others though. Was a good article - be sure to read it.

[phil385]

Oh and i forgot to mention the 6400 rpm redline. I bet it sounds so damn good running through the gears at full throttle.

[threefortyduster]

holy hell...173 mph top speed? please tell me thats true

[Rev.Hammer]

To quote Bob Dole:
"Easy there, big fella!"

[phil385]

173 mph is what they claim in the article....they even go on to explain how it is 12 mph faster than a CTS-V and 18 mph faster than any Benz car that is limited to 155 mph. It also says it is redline limited.

[Brian_R170]

As tested: $45,450
0-60 mph: 4.7
Standing 1/4 mile: 13.2 @ 109 mph
Top speed: 173 mph !!!

That settles it. I wanted a more family-friendly car that has performance close to my SLK32 AMG. When C&D tested the SLK32 AMG, they got 0-60mph in 4.5s, 1/4mi in 13.0 @ 110. Top speed of 155 (governed, ungoverned is 178). Close enough for me, and I assume Magnum SRT-8s performance will be virtually identical to the 300 SRT-8. Now, I guess I just have to wait for the local dealers to stop gouging.

[MCaesar]

That settles it. I wanted a more family-friendly car that has performance close to my SLK32 AMG. When C&D tested the SLK32 AMG, they got 0-60mph in 4.5s, 1/4mi in 13.0 @ 110. Top speed of 155 (governed, ungoverned is 178). Close enough for me, and I assume Magnum SRT-8s performance will be virtually identical to the 300 SRT-8. Now, I guess I just have to wait for the local dealers to stop gouging.

What price are they talking?

My local dealer here wants $5,000 over sticker for his first Charger Hemi

I shudder to think what he would ask for an SRT8

I drove 45 miles to Pennsylvania and found a dealer Reedman-Toll who is actually selling them at sticker.

[qzking]

Oh I bet it sounds so damn good running through the gears at full throttle.

Here you go. This is a re-post with a .wmv file of an SRT8 @ WOT.
KK
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/mu...rt8.running.wmv

[qzking]

Well, not quite WOT through all the gears but the last part gives you a little taste of what's to come.
KK

Here you go. This is a re-post with a .wmv file of an SRT8 @ WOT.
KK
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/mu...rt8.running.wmv

[mkaresh]

Anyone know the aero figures of the 300 vs. the Magnum? Different enough to affect high-speed acceleration? Won't affect top speed if redline-limited.

The 340-horsepower engine is enough for me. But the 300C/RT seats and suspension leave much to be desired. No lateral support, and the feel of a large car (which of course is accurate). I know the SRT8 seats are far superior. But does the car feel significantly more agile? Anyone here with major seat time in both?

C&D did find the car's ride quality very objectionable. Any owners finding this an issue? If not an issue, because C&D full of it, or because C&D are wimps who can't handle being banged around a bit?

[MCaesar]

Anyone know the aero figures of the 300 vs. the Magnum? Different enough to affect high-speed acceleration? Won't affect top speed if redline-limited.

The 340-horsepower engine is enough for me. But the 300C/RT seats and suspension leave much to be desired. No lateral support, and the feel of a large car (which of course is accurate). I know the SRT8 seats are far superior. But does the car feel significantly more agile? Anyone here with major seat time in both?

C&D did find the car's ride quality very objectionable. Any owners finding this an issue? If not an issue, because C&D full of it, or because C&D are wimps who can't handle being banged around a bit?

While the power increase is nice, that is not the main reason for buying an SRT8. The difference in suspension is huge. The RT has such a restrictive traction control that all it could pull on the skidpad was between 0.77 and 0.79g (not much better than a good minivan). The SRT8s have been clocking between 0.88 and 0.90 (that is sports car territory).

Also, the engine is built stronger as well.

Otherwise, you could slap a blower on the RT and have SRT8 power for less money

[kudasai]

so really all we have to do is play vultures for the first knuckleheads to start totalling their srt's so we can get suspension stuff.

mmmmm...grave robbing....

[MCaesar]

You are a sick puppy!

I wonder if something can be done with the traction control programming like putting the SRT program in the RT

[mkaresh]

Just don't forget to grab the seats while you're snatching the suspension bits. Rims, too, don't forget the rims.

Stability control can't be turned off?

Personally I was hoping they'd do a short wheelbase LX with a six-speed manual hooked up to the Hemi. Not bloody likely, though. I think they did have a short wheelbase car in development along the lines of the Airflite, but I read it was cancelled.

Dodge dealer told me that the suspension tuning is the same for the 300, Magnum, and Charger. True?

[MCaesar]

Just don't forget to grab the seats while you're snatching the suspension bits. Rims, too, don't forget the rims.

Stability control can't be turned off?

Personally I was hoping they'd do a short wheelbase LX with a six-speed manual hooked up to the Hemi. Not bloody likely, though. I think they did have a short wheelbase car in development along the lines of the Airflite, but I read it was cancelled.

Dodge dealer told me that the suspension tuning is the same for the 300, Magnum, and Charger. True?

No, all Mercedes-based systems can not be completely shut off no matter what the salespeople tell you. "Turning it off" actually just increases the limites before it kicks in. The SRT version has a much higher threshold before it kicks in.

A short WB "Challenger" with a manual sure would be nice. It could have classic lines.

The Charger has an upgraded suspension option I believe.