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Carsales Staff30 May 2013
NEWS

Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core: 347kW for $56K

SRT8 Core gazumps HSV ClubSport with more power for less money

There was always going to be an attempt by HSV's rivals to steal some of the GEN-F's thunder, but it's not FPV. It's Chrysler who has come out swinging with the new cut-price 300 SRT8 Core model.

Tagged at $56,000, the new Canadian-built model slides in underneath the $57,000 Luxury Car Tax threshold and costs $10,000 less than the top-spec Chrysler 300 SRT8.

The second model in the Chrysler 300 SRT8 range is also cheaper -- and more powerful -- than HSV's new entry-level $60,990 ClubSport, which does incur the LCT.

Despite losing some premium features found on the full-biscuit model, the new Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core retains all the go-fast parts, most notably the 6.4-litre Hemi V8.

Producing 347kW at 6100rpm and 631Nm at 4150rpm, the big American bruiser easily out muscles the ClubSport's 317kW/550Nm, not to the mention the $71,290 ClubSport R8's 325kW/550Nm and the SV pack's increased 340kW/570Nm output, which adds another $4995 to the HSV's price.

Chrysler says its 6.4-litre Hemi V8 "stands tall as one of the world's most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engines".

Pegged as a full-time model in the Chrysler 300 range, the SRT8 Core also gets black-accented five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, an active exhaust system and cylinder deactivation system. The latter can reduce the car's average fuel consumption of 13L/100km by up to 20 per cent says the American importer.

The SRT8 Core model also comes as standard with launch control, a five-speed automatic gearbox and SRT performance suspension.

New 'HEMI 6.4L' badging on the car's front flanks and a 'Core' badge on the boot also differentiate the new rear-wheel drive sports sedan from its garden-variety cousins. The high performance rear-wheel drive sedan is available in eight colours, include five pearl finishes.

Interior features include a leather-wrapped SRT sports steering wheel with audio, trip computer, voice recognition and audio controls, premium black cloth seat trim with white stitching and SRT embroidery, and matt carbon highlights on the instrument panel and dashpad.

Chrysler has also kept the large 8.4-inch colour touchscreen 'Uconnect' infotainment system from the top-shelf $66,000 SRT8, which features SRT-specific performance telemetry, not unlike HSV's Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI) system. However satellite navigation has been omitted from the Core model.

The new model will compete with entry point FPV and HSV models, and Chrysler says the new 300 SRT8 Core model would be cross-shopped against models like the Holden Commodore SSV and Calais V8 too. Chrysler's sales gurus reckon the new Core model will bring more people into dealerships, who may then decide to upgrade to the more expensive $66,000 300 SRT8 model.

Key features missing from the Chrysler SRT8 Core include dual-mode adaptive damping, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera, sat nav, a 19-speaker stereo, heated leather seats front and rear and heated/cooled front beverage holders.

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Written byCarsales Staff
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