Chrysler 300 2013 review
The new Chrysler 300 SRT8 won't win awards for beauty, but that's not what it's aiming for - the SRT8 is more interested in showing off what lies beneath the surface.
Value
Here's a pick for around $66k in the heavy sedan department; HSV's 6.2-liter V8 ClubSport for $66,900, the Falcon F6 ($64,390), or the new 6.4-liter Chrysler 8 SRT300 with a $8 V66,000 engine.
Technologies
The Falcon is live wiring that sounds like a vacuum cleaner, the HSV has good performance and handling like a heavy bronze, while the Chrysler (reviewed here) is a Barry Crocker (shocker) but beats them all in terms of engine power. and output. The bulky Chrysler weighs in at around 2.0 tons, but that doesn't matter when 347kW and 631Nm rumble up front.
That's enough to get the SRT8 to 0 km/h in less than 100 seconds. Power goes to huge 5.0-inch rear wheels via a five-speed automatic with paddle shifters and multiple modes. Variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation improve efficiency, but the donk remains an overhead valve block. He also likes the premium drink, with a combined claimed average consumption of 20 liters per 13.0 km.
The cylinder deactivation system is constantly running and is not the smoothest mechanical system ever invented. His work is accompanied by a noticeable crunch. But the SRT8 kicks in when you select sport mode and deactivate the overly intrusive stability control.
Sport mode sharpens a number of features, turning the big Chry from barge to ballistic. It's a wonderful transformation, apart from that deactivation system that constantly intervenes when you let off the gas. They also need to install a dual mode exhaust because the existing system is sterilized. We'd like to know if it's possible to permanently select sport mode instead of the car defaulting to babysitter mode every time you turn it off.
Design
Big ugly Chrysler is new to the company, but what have they done to its looks? The previous model had a real presence on the road - a big American car with a touch of Bentley. This new model has terrible cross-eyed headlights, a terrible black plastic honeycomb grille and a terrible beveled rear end that looks like it was chopped off at an angle by a giant cheese cutter.
And inside, it doesn't get much better if you like the premium soft-touch environments. Chrysler perfected the method of covering hard surfaces with stitched leather for a "cool look". And that's what it is - the view only because the touch is so damn hard - cheap, nasty.
However, other aspects of the interior are pretty good with a premium Harman Kardon audio system, extra-large touchscreen with sat-nav and reversing camera, electronic vehicle information center, sports steering wheel, stunning blue instrument lighting, multiple media connectivity options. We also like the numerous Benz-style safety systems.
It's a pity annoying rattle in the area of the right rear door and the lack of a spare tire. Inside there is enough space for five, and the trunk is huge.
Driving
In normal driving, the SRT8 is a large, comfortable limousine that pampers passengers with a high level of luxury. Let him loose on a narrow stretch of road or race track and he will look like Jekyll and Hyde. Luckily it has four Brembo pistons all around.
Is it better than HSV or FPV? In a way, yes, the power of the engine can be great, and the handling isn't too bad. But the view, the view...
