A real brute in a suit, the all-American Chrysler 300, with its high beltline, bucket loads of chrome-filled bling, and an imposing, imperious front grille, is pretty much a poor man’s Bentley Mulsanne or Rolls-Royce Phantom. However, when you power it with the right engine, you can make the Chrysler 300 do the sort of naughty things that neither a Bentley nor a Rolls would ever be caught dead doing: donuts, burnouts, and drifting around an empty parking lot in the dead of night. Across each of the Chrysler 300 SRT8 model years, relatively little changes, but the things that everyone likes about it stay the same: a meaty 400+ hp HEMI V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, and looks that can kill.
Essentially a classier, more suited-up bigger brother to the Dodge Challenger and the Dodge Charger, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 made its way globally, and it was even sold as a station wagon – the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring – but here in the States, it was sold only as a sedan. There’s more to its mechanicals than a big V8, and compared to the regular 300C and 300, the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) team blessed it with upgraded brakes, suspension, along with a bespoke cabin and exterior design, not to mention the plethora of under-the-hood tweaks. Sold across two Chrysler 300 SRT8 generations, it gave the average person tons of performance and luxury without breaking the bank.
This article looks at the Chrysler 300 SRT8 by model years, including an overview of all the Chrysler 300 SRT8 generations that were on sale in the USA.
2012–2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 2nd-Gen (LD)
After the end of the first generation, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 took a year off and returned in 2011 as part of an all-new Chrysler 300 lineup for the 2012 model year, now built atop the new LD platform, which was mechanically related to the earlier LX chassis. For the second-generation Chrysler 300 SRT8, the ‘C’ was dropped from 300C, so it was simply referred to as the “300 SRT8.” Although it was more evolutionary than revolutionary, the engine did get a big revamp, echoing the sentiment that there’s no replacement for displacement. These later Chrysler 300 SRT8 model years boasted a bigger and mightier 6.4-liter naturally aspirated HEMI V8 engine.
With these additional cubic inches, the SRT team was able to get 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque from this engine, allowing the sedan to hit 0-60 mph in as little as 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 175 mph. The then-new SRT8 could hit the quarter-mile in the high 12-second range. As part of the round of under-the-hood improvements, the upgraded engine also gained new motor mounts that gave it better idle stability and ride control at any speed; it also got an active intake manifold, and a high-lift camshaft with cam phasing that ensured maximum low-end torque, while also optimizing high-end power. It’s not all about power, however, as these later Chrysler 300 SRT8 model years were more fuel-efficient, too.
As standard, they came with Chrysler’s Fuel Saver Technology that can shut off half the cylinders on that HEMI V8, turning it into a four-cylinder engine if you didn’t need all that extra power, netting you a welcome 21% fuel economy increase (EPA highway). Like the earlier Chrysler 300 SRT8 model years, the second-generation models sent all that V8 power to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission, with new steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for those who wanted a little more engagement. There was even a Sport mode if buyers desired more aggressive shifting, and compared to before, adjustability was a noteworthy highlight on the second-gen SRT8s, along with the new two-mode adaptive damping suspension.
In Sport mode, the suspension would set itself up with a stiffer damping rate that locked the rebound and compression in a sportier setting. Pairing these with the SRT-tuned hydraulic steering for a more direct feel and better responsiveness, these later Chrysler 300 SRT8 model years were sharper than before, and they still had Brembo brakes, albeit with vented and slotted rotors to offer improved brake cooling and fade resistance. For those not in the know, it might be difficult to tell them apart, but the second-generation Chrysler 300 SRT8 did look different, with a new front grille, Chrysler wing badge, and lots of black chrome finishing all-around.
Thankfully, the cabin did at least afford buyers more refinement and gadgets versus the first-gen cars. There was a leather-wrapped SRT-specific steering wheel, an abundance of carbon-fiber interior trim pieces, and a banging optional Harman Kardon sound system. Up front, there was a new full-color instrument cluster display that showed lots of performance data. This included a 0–60 mph timer, lateral and longitudinal g-forces, and timers for running a one-eighth mile, a quarter-mile, and to measure braking distance. In the middle, there was an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, which came with satellite navigation, as well as extra performance menus and gauges.
The list of new gadgets that these later Chrysler 300 SRT8 generations got also includes a ton more creature comforts. Buyers gained nice-to-haves like keyless entry, adaptive forward lighting, automatic headlight leveling, forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and adaptive cruise control. The 2013 and final 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 model years featured an upgraded, three-mode adaptive suspension, with a new Track mode that combined stiffer damping rates, more aggressive shifting, and a gear holding feature that gives you more manual control, which paired well with the brand-new launch control system.
Second-Generation Chrysler 300 SRT8 Production Years
Trim
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
300 SRT8
6.4L N/A HEMI V8
5-speed Automatic
RWD
2008–2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8 1st-Gen (LX) Refresh
Not much changed between the 2006 and 2007 Chrysler 300C SRT8 model years, but for the 2008 model year, the first-generation SRT8 did receive a mid-cycle refresh. The 2008 car gained a new rear deck lid that came with an integrated rear spoiler and new taillights, alongside new body moldings. Nonetheless, these exterior visual changes were subtle, and the real upgrades were found inside. The old leather and suede sports seats carried over, with power adjustments, heat, and memory, and they were supplemented with some new SRT-specific upholstery, including a lot more leather on the steering wheel, shifter, and door trim. The 2008 car also got a new center console and lots more tech.
This included LED cabin lights, an SRT-only Reconfigurable Display (RCD) that provided you with additional performance data, and the 2008 model year Chrysler 300C SRT8 even acquired adaptive cruise control and remote start. The 2009 model year SRT8 kept up the momentum from the mid-cycle refresh a year earlier with a different front grille design and new colorways, while further below, it got an updated suspension with revised front and rear knuckles, re-tuned shock valves, and an updated ESP calibration. Speaking of, the Electronic Stability Program was programmed specially for the SRT8, and the ABS gained brake knockback mitigation software to deliver better track response.
First-Generation Chrysler 300C SRT8 Refresh Production Years
Trim
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
300C SRT8
6.1L N/A HEMI V8
5-speed Automatic
RWD
2006–2007 Chrysler 300C SRT8 1st-Gen (LX)
Originally planned to be unveiled for the 2005 model year, the first of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 generations was first released for the 2006 model year, and when put next to the standard 300C, its single biggest upgrade was the engine. Under the hood was a 6.1-liter naturally aspirated HEMI V8, boasting a significant power bump from the 5.7-liter HEMI V8s found in the non-SRT8 models. Along with the displacement increase, the compression ratio was upped from 9.6:1 to 10.3:1, and there were new high-flow cylinder heads, a bespoke intake manifold, some new exhaust headers, larger-diameter valves, reshaped cylinder ports, in addition to hollow intake and exhaust valve stems.
Even the exhaust valve stems were filled with sodium to better dissipate heat. All of this permitted more airflow, so the engine could breathe better, as peak power output engine speed was raised from 5,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm. In all, these early Chrysler 300C SRT8 model years offered a really generous 425 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hit 0–60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, and it could do the quarter-mile in the high 13-second range. Of course, to make sure the engine could take all this extra power, the SRT8 trim got sports-oriented camshafts, a reinforced engine block, a forged steel crankshaft, high-strength conrods, more coolant flow, floating-pin pistons, and a special oil pan.
Power went straight to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission, complete with beefed-up axles, prop shaft, and an uprated rear differential. While the engine was the main star of the show, each of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 model years got upgrades elsewhere, too. The new suspension setup was exclusive to the SRT8, with re-tuned Bilstein dampers, recalibrated spring rates, new suspension bushings, on top of the larger-diameter anti-sway bars. It also got new suspension knuckles that lowers the SRT8’s ride height by 0.5 inches compared to the base 300C. Plus, there were 20-inch forged wheels with Goodyear F1 tires, 245/45/20 front and 255/45/20 rear.
Better yet, all Chrysler 300C SRT8 model years came specced as standard with Brembo four-piston calipers all around and vented brake rotors front and rear to ensure drivers could stop on a dime. From the outside, design-wise, it was hard to tell the SRT8 apart from the regular 300C, but look more closely, and you’d notice the unique front and rear fascias that improve airflow and aerodynamics around the car. Moreover, the restyled bodywork features extra ducts to get you better brake cooling, and in the rear, there’s a new, SRT8-exclusive deck spoiler that’ll boost the rear downforce by up to 39% without increasing drag. Altogether, it was a luxurious, comfy, four-door muscle car.
First-Generation Chrysler 300C SRT8 Production Years
2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8
Trim
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
300C SRT8
6.1L N/A HEMI V8
5-speed Automatic
RWD
Sources: Stellantis