The Street and Racing Technology (SRT) performance engineering team builds upon the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan already executed for a world-class luxury experience, to deliver Chrysler's most powerful and best handling model ever.
Owners of any Chrysler Group SRT vehicle receive one day of professional driving instruction from the Richard Petty Racing School as part of the SRT Track Experience, designed to maximize their driving knowledge and skills on the street or track. Sessions are held throughout the year at selected tracks.
The return of the Chrysler 300 SRT8 to the Chrysler lineup in 2012 evokes a strong comparison to the original high-performance production car of its time - the 1955 Chrysler 300. Known for simple, strong lines, excellent engineering, high levels of luxury and outstanding performance with the first modern American V-8 engine to produce 300 horsepower, the first Chrysler 300 (C-300) was styled by Virgil Exner, who radically redesigned the entire Chrysler line and created what they called "The Forward Look" in 1955. Without much chrome on the sides, his designs were simple, but strong. Exner is credited with creating the illusion of fast, forward movement.
The Chrysler C-300 won on both the road course and the "flying mile" at Daytona in 1955. In 1956, the Chrysler 300B model won both events again. In fact, the Chrysler 300s dominated NASCAR competition in 1955 and 1956, taking the overall championship in both years. A legendary and luxurious performance car was born. The "letter cars" quickly became the most desirable of the Chrysler lineup and became known as the "Beautiful Brutes."
Awe-inspiring powertrain
Under the hood of the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, the new 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 makes its debut in the Chrysler brand product lineup delivering an estimated 465 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, up 40 horsepower and 45 lb.-ft. over the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces.
The improved torque output - including an additional 80 lb.-ft. at 2,900 rpm - allows for inspired standing starts and improved straight-line performance while new, performance-tuned motor mounts improve idle stability and ride control at any speed. An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing provides maximum low-end torque while optimizing high-end power.
Even with the elevated power numbers, an estimated 25-percent fuel economy increase on the highway is achieved by use of a new for 2012 active valve exhaust system that allows the standard Fuel Saver technology (four-cylinder mode) to engage over a wider rpm range. The new active exhaust system also allows for straight-through mid and rear mufflers for a throaty exhaust note under engine load.
Specific fuel economy numbers will be announced closer to the vehicle introduction.
Standard steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters join the standard Auto Stick on the floor console. Both are mated to the proven five-speed automatic transmission, allowing a choice of spirited shifting on the road and the race track.
Both methods give the driver the ability to manually shift the transmission. The transmission controller calibration in "Auto" mode prevents situations that might over rev the engine; while in "Sport" mode, it allows the driver full control of the shifting schedule. Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain more responsive while minimizing harshness.
Outstanding ride and handling
New for 2012 is an Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS) system that is tuned specifically for the Chrysler 300 SRT8 to offer a compliant and comfortable ride. The ADS system also uses a wide range of on-road and driver inputs - such as vehicle speed, steering angle, steering speed, brake torque, throttle position and lateral and vertical accelerations - to automatically tune the suspension for specific conditions when necessary.
In addition, drivers can manually choose between "Auto" and "Sport" settings that quickly change the shock damping and harshness characteristics from everyday commuting to more spirited driving situations.
The performance SRT-tuned, fully-hydraulic steering system also has been improved with a new, heavy-duty pump and revised gearing to give drivers more direct feel and on-center response.
New seven-spoke, 20-inch lightweight forged aluminum wheels and available three- or four-season tires provide great looks with fun-to-drive performance and handling.
Outstanding braking
SRT vehicles are well known for their world-class stopping power and the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 features 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers painted in silver finish. Improved brake cooling and fade performance comes courtesy of new underbody belly pan with integrated brake ducting.
The standard Ready Alert Braking system anticipates situations when the driver may initiate an emergency brake stop and engages the electronic stability control pump to set brake pads against rotors in order to decrease the time required for full brake application.
Aggressive and functional exterior with available Black Chrome Package
An exclusive new front fascia has a modern, yet timeless appearance that is carried through with the all-new grille and new Chrysler wing badge. The black chrome upper and lower grille surrounds and rear valance strip are part of the available Black Chrome Package.
The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is one-half inch lower when compared to the base car and features new SRT-exclusive side sill cladding painted in matching body color for the "planted" look of a true sports sedan.
The rear includes a unique lower fascia with chrome accent bar, new 4-inch round dual exhaust tips and a modified SRT8 decklid badge with new black accent. Rounding out the Black Chrome Package are the black chrome accent spear and exclusive black chrome wheels.
Race inspired and functional interior
The all-new interior environment combines world-class luxury accommodations with performance-oriented technology and appointments.
An all-new leather-wrapped, heated, SRT-exclusive steering wheel features a unique rim section with a flattened bottom surface showing the SRT logo. Standard paddle shift controls flank both sides of the new contoured palm rests while all audio and Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) controls are accessible from the horizontal spokes on the steering wheel.
For the high-performance look, real carbon fiber interior trim pieces are integrated into the new instrument panel, door spears and shifter bezel and new racing style brake and gas pedal pads are standard.
The new full-color graphic EVIC with exclusive Performance Pages includes timers for 0-60 mph, one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times, 60-0 braking distance, along with lateral and longitudinal g-forces within the touchscreen display.
The new instrument panel's 8.4-inch color touchscreen display - the segment's largest standard display - also has all the same Performance Pages data as the EVIC, and is further expanded to include steering angle, horsepower, and torque outputs along with engine gauges. The display is customizable to a driver selectable background.
An available Premium Leather Interior Package offers Poltrona Frau "Foligno" leather wrapped upper door trim panels, instrument panel, cluster brow and center console side panels. Nappa leather covers the door bolster, armrest and center console armrest.
The standard heated and ventilated front seats have active head rests with the SRT logo embroidered in seat backs. Rear seats also are heated for passenger comfort.
Modified door trim panels feature unique bolster material and accent stitching on arm rests to match the seats.
Safety and security
The all-new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 features more than 70 advanced safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and electronic stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling and performance.
Chrysler brand's signature SafetyTec Group is available on the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 and packages many first-time-available features including adaptive-forward lighting (AFL), high-intensity discharge (HID) projector high and low-beams with automatic headlamp leveling, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with adaptive-cruise control (ACC), Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, ParkSense® front and rear park assist system, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental turn signals and approach lamp.
In addition, standard front-row reactive head restraints, standard full-length side-curtain air bags, driver's knee bag and standard front seat-mounted side-thorax air bags offer enhanced occupant protection to passengers in the event of a collision.
Connectivity and Infotainment
New for 2012 is the available SRT performance sound system from Harman Kardon®. Producing the ultimate in sound quality, the 900-watt, 19-speaker system includes:
Seven 3.5-inch Unity coaxial mid-range speakers with seven integrated tweeters located in the instrument panel, rear doors and rear deck
Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers located in the front doors
Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers in the rear deck
One 10-inch subwoofer in the rear deck
12-channel, high-speed amplifier
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