August 13, 2004
Chrysler
Adds Even More Horsepower to HEMI® with New 2005 Chrysler 300C
SRT-8
-
Additional 85
horses - 25 percent more power - builds more momentum for HEMI®
and Chrysler 300
- Chrysler
reveals 425-horsepower Chrysler 300C SRT-8, powered by new 6.1 - liter
HEMI V-8
Pebble
Beach, Calif., - With 85 more
horses under the hood, the momentum continues for the Chrysler 300 and its
legendary HEMI® engine. Today, the Chrysler Group revealed the
425-horsepower 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8, which arrives in showrooms next
spring.
"With a nearly 50
percent take rate, the HEMI is a critical ingredient to the success of the
Chrysler 300," said Dan Knott, Director - Street and Racing Technology (SRT).
"With the new 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8, we are now adding even more
horsepower to the HEMI and even more performance to the Chrysler 300C"
Preliminary
performance targets for the 300C SRT-8 are 0-60 mph in the low 5-second
range and quarter-mile time in the high13-second range.
Powertrain
The 425-horsepower,
normally aspirated 6.1 - liter HEMI is the highest specific-output engine
ever offered by the Chrysler Group. Its 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating
exceeds even that of the legendary 1966 "Street HEMI." Torque is rated at
420 lb.-ft.
Although the
Chrysler HEMI was born in the 1950s and entered into legend in the 1960s and
'70s, today's version took much of its inspiration from the original -
particularly the namesake hemispherical combustion chambers that provide
power and efficiency.
When SRT set out to
develop a more powerful HEMI for the Chrysler 300C SRT-8, they were mindful
of the engine's heritage, which led to adopting traditional HEMI engine cues
such as an orange-painted cylinder block and black valve covers.
The SRT powertrain
engineers who developed the Chrysler 300C SRT-8's engine achieved more
horsepower by adding more cubic inches, increasing the compression ratio,
redesigning the cylinder head intake and exhaust systems for increased flow,
and increasing engine speed.
To get more
displacement, SRT engineers bored out the diameter of the cylinders in the
Chrysler 300C SRT-8's HEMI by 3.5 millimeters each, to increase the total
displacement to 6.1 liters from 5.7 liters. Compression ratio was also
increased to 10.3:1 from 9.6:1, unleashing more energy in the combustion
process.
Engine breathing was
increased with new high-flow cylinder heads, a specially designed intake
manifold, and exhaust "headers" with individual tubes encased in a stainless
steel shell, all unique to the 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8's 6.1-liter HEMI
engine. Larger diameter valves and reshaped cylinder ports in the heads
allow for maximized air flow. The intake manifold was designed with larger
diameter runners for higher-speed tuning. Exhaust is routed through a
larger-diameter (2.75-inch vs. 2.5-inch) exhaust system with 3.5-inch chrome
tips.
Performance-oriented
camshaft profiles were developed to balance total vehicle requirements,
simultaneously allowing more air in and out of cylinders. This increases
performance and manages a higher engine speed, which is another method to
increase horsepower. SRT engineers increased the HEMI's peak engine speed
nearly 15 percent, to 6,200 revolutions power minute (rpm) from 5,400 rpm.
Intake and exhaust valve stems are hollow, and the exhaust valve stems are
filled with sodium to help dissipate heat more efficiently.
The high-performance
6.1-liter HEMI is further strengthened with a host of redesigned components,
including a reinforced engine block with increased coolant flow, forged
steel crankshaft, high-strength powdered-metal connecting rods, floating-pin
pistons (cooled by oil squirters), and an oil pan modified for reduced oil
foaming.
The 6.1-liter HEMI's
power is channeled through an A580 five-speed automatic transmission with
specially calibrated AutoStick® driver-selectable range control, which
offers fully automatic or manual shifting selection. A heavy-duty
four-flange prop shaft sends the torque from the transmission to an upgraded
differential and axles.
Ride
and Handling
The Chrysler 300C
SRT-8 is conditioned for outstanding ride and handling across the dynamic
range that customers are likely to experience.
Chassis setup for
the Chrysler 300C SRT-8 is aimed at all-around performance with a number of
enhancements, including tuned dampers, specially tailored spring rates and
suspension bushings and larger-diameter anti-sway bars. New front and rear
suspension knuckles contribute to a ride height lowered one-half inch from
the Chrysler 300C. And, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has been
specially tuned for the SRT-8's performance handling characteristics.
The Chrysler 300C
SRT-8 connects with the road via a new wheel and tire assembly consisting of
20-inch forged aluminum wheels shod with high-performance Goodyear F1
three-season tires (four-season tires are an available option) with
asymmetrical tread. Tire dimensions are a beefy 245/45/20 in the front, and
255/45/20 in the rear.
Braking performance
goes hand-in-hand with the new Chrysler 300C SRT-8's outstanding
accelerating and speed - and the braking system was specially designed to
slow and stop the car safely and predictably. At the same time, this system
was designed to provide benchmark braking performance, setting a new
standard for sedans in its class.
All four wheels
feature stout performance calipers developed by Brembo - well-known in
racing and high-performance circles - equipped with four pistons for even
comparing performance. Up front, the Chrysler 300C SRT-8 has 360 x 32mm
vented rotors, with 350 x 26mm vented rotors in the rear.
Design
Befitting its
high-performance character, the new 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8 exterior
styling is a sophisticated treatment that resonates with the Chrysler
brand's premium character.
Modified front and
rear fascias help direct air flow, particularly through unique ducts that
help cool the brakes. In addition, a specially designed rear deck spoiler,
while refined in appearance, is also functional - increasing rear downforce
by 39 percent without increasing drag.
Other unique touches
to the Chrysler 300C SRT-8's exterior include body-color front and rear
bumper inserts, body-color grille insert with chrome collar, body-color
mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging.
Two exterior colors
are available: Bright Silver and Brilliant Black.
Safety
and Security Features
Following are safety
and security features available on the Chrysler 300C SRT-8:
- Advanced
Multi-Stage Air Bag System:
Inflates with a force appropriate to the
severity of the impact. Includes Occupant Classification System (OCS)
- Anti-lock
Brake System:
Electronic sensors that help prevent wheel lockup. The optional ABS
system offers improved steering control under extreme braking and/or
slippery conditions
- Electronic
Stability Program (ESP):
This available feature aids the driver
in maintaining vehicle directional stability, providing oversteer and
understeer control to maintain vehicle behavior on various road surfaces
-
Energy-Absorbing Steering Column:
Manual-adjust telescoping steering
column includes two hydroformed coaxial tubes that move relative to each
other, which allows the column to move forward and provide more energy
absorption during an impact
- High
Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting:
This available feature provides 70
percent more light to increase driver visibility, using XENON bulb
technology
- Occupant
Classification System (OCS):
The OCS measures the conditions for
activation or deactivation of the passenger-side front air bag based upon
the weight of the occupant
- Rear Park
Assist: This available
ultrasonic rear obstacle detection system signals through an audible
warning and a rear overhead display to avoid potential collisions
Street and Racing Technology
Street and Racing Technology
creates some of Chrysler Group's most distinctive, performance-oriented
products.
SRT has developed six vehicles, each of
which is the performance leader in its class - the Dodge Viper SRT-10, Dodge
SRT-4, Dodge Ram SRT-10, Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab and Chrysler Crossfire
SRT-6 Coupe and Roadster. |
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