Chrysler is just about to pull the wraps off the new 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 at the 2011 New York International Auto Show in the US. However, the company has just released preview details and images of the car before the unveiling. The fresh model gets a new 6.4-litre Pentastar HEMI V8 engine, a sleeker look and a much-improved, sportier, higher-quality interior layout.

Aside from the obvious importance of the new engine, the 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 gives off a cooler, icier look especially in white. It also gets new seven-spoke shadow chrome 20 inch alloy wheels which match the darkened grille, rear diffuser and headlight backgrounds which are encrusted with LED lights.

The meaty end of the new deal however, and the more interesting part, is the engine. It’s a 6.4-litre Pentastar HEMI V8 outputting 347kW of power and a whopping 630Nm of torque. This means the new model could crack the four-second range while undertaking the 0-100km/h sprint. The company has estimated a “high four-second range”.

Although a five-speed automatic gearbox remains in charge of speeds, the new model transmission is fitted with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel for a more driver-focused feel. And driver focused it is, Chrysler has even gone as far as calling this new model “the most powerful and best handling model ever”.

Technology-wise, the 300C SRT8 features an Electronic Vehicle Information Centre on the dash fascia which is controlled through a 8.5-inch LCD screen. This not only displays multimedia functions, but also interesting driving characteristics such as yaw angles, steering settings, g-force, acceleration times, and engine power outputs and reserves.

The new 300C SRT8 also gets an uprated braking package including 14.2-inch brake disc rotors on the front and 13.8-inch rotors on the back, clamped by four-piston Brembo calipers. Chrysler says the anchors provide enough deceleration to bring the car to a stop from 96km/h in 36.5 metres.

Helping the new car handle around corners, Chrysler has fit Adaptive Damping Suspension which use computes and sensors to calculate a number of inputs, such as steering angle, throttle position and vehicle speed, to automatically provide optimum dampening. The system also provides manual modes of Auto and Sport, switchable via in-cabin buttons.

Look out for more updates from CarAdvice on the new 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 live from the New York International Auto Show, as well as details on Australian specifications, in the near future.