Since 2015, Chrysler fans have been begging for the brand to bring the Chrysler 300 SRT back to the market in North America. It was at that time, that the SRT brand was designated as part of the Dodge brand and it seemed that Chrysler 300 SRT would compete against the Charger SRT392 and R/T Scat Pack models at the time (and yet the Grand Cherokee SRT still harkens the name for now). Our friends down under in Australia and our pals in the Middle East have been blessed with a performance Chrysler sedan. So we figured, we would take a look at what exactly we are missing out on.
Obviously, the Chrysler 300 SRT is powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI® V8 that produces 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft (637Nm) of torque. The 300 SRT includes an active valve exhaust system that allows for standard Fuel Saver Technology (four-cylinder mode) to engage over a wider rpm range, meaning extra urban consumption of just 8.6L/100km (27.3 MPG).
Standard on 300 SRT, is the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission, providing refinement and fuel efficiency. The design of the transmission further contributes to efficiency at 88kg (194 lbs), it weighs just 1.8kg (4 lbs.) more than the previous five-speed gearbox from our North American-spec Chrysler 300 SRT from the 2014 model year. The 8-speed automatic transmission features particularly close fifth- through eighth-speed gear ratios for smoother shifting, along with a lower cruising rpm in top gear for added refinement.
For spirited road driving, the drive can engage Sport mode and instantly transform the 300 SRT’s performance and personality by activating sport-tuned steering calibration and paddle-shift mode, in addition to sport engine and transmission calibration, and increased responsiveness of the accelerator pedal calibration. Engaging Sport by switching the rotary shifter to ‘S’ provides lightning-quick gear changes, reducing shift times by 37% (250 milliseconds versus 400 milliseconds) and can hold the desired gear without unexpected shifts, including at the redline.
Now while Middle East customers can only choose one model of Chrysler 300 SRT from the lineup, Australian customers get two. The entry-level Chrysler 300 SRT is called the SRT Core. The SRT Core provides the following equipment…
- 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
- SRT Performance Cloth Seats
- Brembo® High-Performance Brakes
- Rear Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
- High-Performance Sport Suspension (Coil Springs)
- Performance Tuned Steering
- Active Exhaust
- Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
- Steering Wheel Paddle Shift
- 8.4-Inch Touchscreen with Navigation
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Configurable Drive Modes
- SRT Performance Pages
- Launch Control
- 300 km/h Speedometer
If you want more luxury features with a more track ready suspension, the premium 300 SRT model is what you would choose. The 300 SRT features everything the Core package has plus…
- 20-Inch Forged Alloy Wheels
- SRT Performance Leather & Suede Seats
- Adaptive Damping Suspension
- 19-Speaker Harman Kardon® Audio System
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Forward Collision Warning
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Path Detection
- Red Brembo® Calipers
- Bright Pedals
- Real Carbon Fiber Interior Trim
The standard adaptive damping suspension (ADS) system on the premium 300 SRT model is linked to the vehicle’s drive modes and offers three fully customizable settings – Default, Sport, and Track. Switching modes allows the 300 SRT to offer a compliant and comfortable ride on the street, yet can easily be switched to handle on-track conditions.
The Chrysler 300 SRT offers world-class stopping power courtesy of its 14.2-inch / 360.68 mm (front) and 13.8-inch / 350.52 mm (rear) slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo Performance brakes. The Ready Alert Braking system anticipates when the driver quickly releases the accelerator pedal and may initiate an emergency brake stop, after which the electronic stability control pump engages to set brake pads against rotors in order to decrease the time required for full brake application.
Improved brake cooling and fade performance come courtesy of wind tunnel designed brake cooling ducts that direct airflow to the slotted brake rotors for consistent stopping power.
But what really stands the Chrysler 300 SRT Core and 300 SRT models apart from the Dodge Charger, is its bold and menacing street presence. Yes, the Charger has its own more performance-based aggressiveness, however, it lacks the premium look of the 300 Series. Using the same body kit we get on the 300 S Sport Appearance Package and the new 300C Performance Appearance Package, the 300 SRT features a more sculptured surface, taller more prominent grille with a unique dimensional texture.
Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive forward lighting (AFL) capture the road ahead, while integrated Chrysler C-shaped LED daytime running lamps (DRL) highlight the 300 SRT’s unmistakable brand identity. The 300 SRT sits lower than non-SRT models and features SRT-exclusive side sill cladding painted in matching body color for the “planted” look of a true sports sedan. Standard wheels are 20-inch x 9-inch for even more menacing appearance.
Inside, the Chrysler 300 SRT really sets itself apart from the Dodge Charger performance models. An SRT-exclusive leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel features the SRT logo and is flanked by die-cast paddle shifters. Taking the place of a traditional instrument cluster is the 300 SRT’s fully customizable 7-inch instrument cluster display, offering performance readouts as well as speed, fuel economy, and navigation information. Chrysler 300 SRT models include real carbon fiber interior trim pieces integrated into the instrument panel, door spears and shifter bezel and racing style brake and accelerator pedals, giving a much more premium feel than the Charger.
The Chrysler 300 SRT model features standard ventilated front seats with active headrests and the SRT logo embroidered in the seat backs. Modified door trim panels feature unique bolster material and accent stitching on the armrests to match the seats. While the SRT Core is all business and gets no heated or ventilated seat option with its standard SRT Performance cloth seats. The premium SRT models even get the heated/cooled cup holders between the driver and front passenger, that was discontinued on the North American models in 2015.
Of course, the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen display with navigation offers SRT Performance Pages delivers performance data such as steering angle, power and torque outputs along with engine gauges in the same fashion as the units on Charger performance models.
The 2019 Chrysler 300 SRT is offered in eight colors for the Australian market. Those colors include Ceramic Gray, Ocean Blue, Velvet Red, Gloss Black, Bright White, Silver Mist, Granite Crystal, and Maximum Steel. The Middle Eastern market has one additional color option of Green Metallic Clear-Coat (F8 Green) for its availability. Interior seating colors include standard black cloth on Australian SRT Core models, while the premium SRT models come standard with Black Perforated Nappa Leather and Suede and offer Sepia Perforated Laguna Leather as an option.
Our spy photographers have happened upon a bunch of Chrysler 300 SRT models running around the company’s Auburn Hills campus. While there doesn’t look like any chance that North America will be receiving this “banker’s hot rod” anytime soon, we can’t help to say it looks damn good on the roads here.
2019 Chrysler 300 SRT Image Gallery:
UPDATED: Fixed pictures that wouldn’t load properly.
