2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 details speculated

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By Brett Davis | March 23rd, 2011

A range of reports to come out of the US recently, particularly worldcarfans.com, have captured a test mule of the 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 out on public streets. The details viewed in the images give clues as to what sort of specifications the range-topping 300C SRT8 will include.

The car captured was seen wearing a large Brembo brake package very similar, if not exactly the same, as the package featured on the Dodge Charger SRT8. This brought some speculation about the new car’s engine. According to a number of reports, the 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 will feature the same 6.4-litre HEMI V8 as the Charger, with cylinder deactivation technology.

If this is the case, we could expect the new 300C SRT8 to slash previous 0-100km/h times from 5.6 seconds down into the four-second range with help from the new engine. In the Charger SRT8, the engine outputs 347kW of power and 630Nm of torque – easily out-powering the current 300C SRT8′s offering of 317kW and 569Nm.

Other revisions expected to appear on the new model include Chrysler’s adaptive damping suspension system. The technology electronically takes into account a number of inputs – including speed, steering angle, throttle position and lateral force – and adjusts the suspension damping accordingly for optimum support.

Another feature that is also rumoured to appear on the new model is a new eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shift control. However, a five-speed auto with paddle shifters may remain in place as the standard choice.

Like the existing model, a range of sporty elements will also be included in the new model such as 20 inch alloy wheels, various chrome trimming details including exhaust outlets, a rear diffuser and slight revisions to the body and front bumper bar.

The new 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 isn’t expect to hit the showrooms until some time next year and could be unveiled at the 2011 Los Angles Auto Show in November. We’ll keep you updated.

Damian

Always liked the 300C. Those wheels look great as well. It’ll certainly be one hell of an alternative to FPV and HSV offerings. It’ll be a game changer with a well calibrated 8-speed auto and a decent LSD.
Hector

what a monster. interior/exterior looks much better than FPV/HSV too. i’m not seeing any cheap and tacky body parts on this beast.

Lazybones

Don’t worry, cheap and tacky are never far away from a Chrysler badge.

Rick

Chryslers of the past maybe ,but the new ones are being compared to BMW and Mercedes in the states

costa

Says the Holden or ford fan that can’t express fear any other way! sides Its that Tacky Daimler that has the crappy interiors and tried to pass it of as a real car!!!!
costa

Finally Chrysler can build a car without having been shackle’d MOPAR OR NO CAR
Andrew M

So 30kw and 60nm is going to slash around a second off the 100k sprint?? Maybe that speculation s based off something, but I would be surprised if it did.

Maybe it would on a car that did the 100 in 10 seconds, but you need more than that at the pointy end.

347kw and 630nm sounds like the figures to move this beast at that rate, perhaps its that I cant believe the old one was that much slower…
If its true there must be more than a simple engine change going on, perhaps a totally new set of ratios to chase down the srpint crown

matt

perhaps their assuming the 8 speed is in it and helps somewhat? im not sold on it either, good figures from the engine nonetheless, FPV, Gt-HO please

ddd

fords measley 315kw actually makes more than the chrysler AT THE WHEELS when tested on a dyno.

Damian

Extra power, new 8-speed auto as opposed to obsolete Mercedes 5-speed, and maybe decreased weight. The culmination of these factors makes the speculated figures plausible.
Ron Flat

The current 300C SRT8 is faster than the 0-100 in 5.6sec mentioned (I don’t believe Chrsyler even quote an exact 0-100/0-60mph time, they just say mid-5 seconds).

There’s plently of indiciation from video’s and forum boards that stock current models can do 0-100 in 5 seconds flat, and the 1/4 mile in low 13′s. Case in point, I’ve done 0-100 in 5.1 without any difficulty

http://google Maureen

The old car isn’t that slow. At dragstrips it has routinely posted times below 5 sec 0-60 mph and <13 sec 1/4 mi absolutely stock on street tires & in the low 4 sec range 0-60 & upper 12s 1/4 mi on slicks. Governed top speed on the 6.1 is 168 mph & ungoverned has hit 175 mph. Dyno testing of the new 6.4 Challenger shows 90 – 100 hp gain over the 6.1 (as much as 440 hp at the drive wheels vs ~350 for the 6.1) so it will certainly run well below 5 sec 0-60 with decent traction.

I saw the new 300s at the Detroit auto show & they are simple beautifull inside and out. The interior is a quantum leap beyond the dull Daimler Design Studio interior inflicted on the previous car.
http://google Maureen

@ddd LOL The 6.4 Challenger has been dyno’d at 440 REAR WHEEL hp — rather more that the Ford makes at the flywheel
Ben

The new GT has been dyno’d, standard, at running 450rwhp with a manual. Very under rated car. Do like the look of the new Chrysler tho, always like the 300C/ SRT8 range.
http://google Maureen

@Ben You are delusional. The GT dynos @ ~360 RWHP. You are trying to suggest that it makes about the same HP as a 10 cyl BMW E60 M5.
GGG

@Lazybones – Cheap tacky parts aren’t far from a Chrysler? and you got 15 agrees on that? All Ford and Holden drivers. Yeah let me think which 2 car companies use the cheapest hard plastic crap around!
Ftw

I dont know why Holden/Ford/Chrysler people are arguing on here. All three companies make good cars and have well engineered engines (with the exception of fords petrol v8′s). I am just happy that all American cars are better than cheap tacky European and Japanese couterparts. Theres no replacement for displacement