Chrysler 300C SRT8

Chrysler's popular 300 C sedan can be ordered in SRT-8 guise, providing one of the more powerful engines on the market at its price point. Power comes from a 6.1 liter HEMI V8, delivering 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.

The sedan delivers a zero to 60 mph in the low five-second range, 0-100-0 mph in under 17 seconds, and 0.89 g on the skid pad. Of course, the engine isn't the only part of the SRT model tuned for performance. The chassis has been tuned by Chrysler's Street and Racing department, including SRT-tuned dampers, specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings, and large-diameter anti-sway bars. Revised front and rear suspension knuckles contribute to a ride height that's lowered one-half inch from the Chrysler 300C.

The SRT-8 comes standard with an Electronic Stability Program and Adaptive Cruise Control. Brembo brakes contribute to the car's safety and overall performance, thanks to 360 mm x 32 mm vented rotors up front and 350 mm x 28 mm vented rotors in the rear.

For 2008, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 offers an improved interior with a dark slate gray palette, revised instrument panel, new center console and LED lighting in the cup holders and door-map pockets.

Like the regular 300 C, the SRT 8 can be ordered with Sirius Satellite Radio, a DVD-based Navigation System, a 20 gigabyte MyGIG hard drive for storing music, a rear-seat entertainment system, Sirius back-seat TV, and the UConnect hands-free cellphone system.

An exclusive feature to the SRT 8 is Chrysler's Reconfigurable Display (RCD) in the cluster -- providing performance data, control over Adaptive Cruise Control, Kicker premium surround-sound, and Sirius back-seat TV.