Chrysler to Release a Cheaper SRT8...

[csv8]

Chrysler is readying a unique-to-Australia 300 SRT8 to take on the local manufacturers with more affordable V8 muscle.

The 300 SRT8 will miss out on some equipment in an effort to lower the price and have it undercut the locally produced HSV and FPV models that are its prime competitors in Australia.

The more basic 300 SRT8 would compete with the likes of the HSV ClubSport, which was recently reintroduced from $64,990, plus on-road and dealer costs.

The 300 SRT8 currently sells from $66,000 and it's believed the target price for the less [SRT8 would be below $60,000,[/B] making the 6.4-litre V8 a tempting proposition for those in the market for a V8-powered performance sedan.
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“We got some feedback that more of a core version ... with less of the fancy stuff on it [would be popular],” says SRT vehicle line executive Russ Ruedisueli. “We're getting ready to introduce a new car with less of the fancy stuff and just the performance.”

Ruedisueli says the car was produced in response to demand and requests from Australia, which has fast emerged as one of SRT's key export markets.

The local importer is keen to capitalise on strong demand for high-performance V8 models.

Ruedisueli says the unique cars will miss out on the adjustable suspension, adaptive radar cruise control and forged alloy wheels, all of which will reduce the price but not the outright performance – one of the key reasons people buy a V8 sedan.

SRT boss Ralph Gilles says the “core model” Chrysler 300 SRT8 is being produced now, suggesting they will go on sale by the middle of 2013.

“It takes away a lot of the content, reduces the price but keeps the performance – matter of fact the car is actually quicker because it's lighter,” says Gilles.

Gilles says direct customer feedback is becoming more important to tailor models and get a better understanding about what customers – and would-be customers – want.

“What we're doing now, because of social media, because of journalists making comments we saw the car is not exactly the right configuration for the Australian market,” he says. “They still love V8s so they asked us to produce a special model for the Australian market that wouldn't have so much luxury on it ... features on it that may not be necessary for the performance buyer.”

Chrysler Australia director of corporate affairs Lenore Fletcher wouldn't talk about the details of the new 300 SRT8 variant but confirmed it was a big year for the company.

“Next year is a really full-on year for the Fiat-Chrysler brands and that includes our SRT performance models,” says Fletcher.

While Australia has strictly enforced speed limits, it seems buyers still can't get enough of the performance models that help define a brand.

Australia is the largest market for SRT outside the United States, with Australians' love of high performance V8s making for healthy sales.

In Australia, Mercedes-Benz's high performance AMG models have one of the highest take-up rates of any of its markets. And the Australian HSV brand has impressive awareness that has the company looking to expand further overseas.

SRT is Chrysler's handle for Street and Racing Technology, as opposed to Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). AMG is named for the town – Grossaspach – where the Benz modifying outfit was founded.
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...217-2bixv.html

[Motorbreath310]

So much for a dying niche it seems? All we need now is for AMG to follow suit with a cheap, c200-spec C63 with a manual box. I can dream...

[rancidpunx]

I had the pleasure of working with Grunter and his new MY13 Srt8 Jeep. I gotta say you get a lot of kit and car for the money. These will do really well.

[SumoDog68]

Chrysler is showing great ability to tailor their cars to target market - flexibility is everything and they seem quick to respond considering the size of the company .

[2011G6E]

The lessons being learned from the popularity of the Toyota 86 are flowing upwards it seems...

There is market for cars that don't have "all the frills" and stripes and stuff despite what car makers have been telling us for years. How many times have you heard people lament that it's just about impossible to buy just a basic model V8 Commodore or Falcon anymore, but have to buy upmarket much more expensive ones with all the toys?

Chrysler could do very well in the Australian market (as they once did). Off cars and onto their four wheel drives, (because we'llbe in the market for a fourbie early next year) we were honestly surprised by the interior quality of the new Jeep Wrangler and Unlimited, especially compared to the "quality" that we used to have foisted upon us some years back from Chrysler and Jeep. They used to look like one team did the body, and another team styled the interior and the two never talked to each other...anything less the the 300C was very plasticky and cheap looking inside. Now they've got their act together.

[XWGT]

If its under $60k like they are claiming, FPV and HSV have a very serious headache ahead.

[Chopped]

I was just reading the latest Wheels or Motor mag (can't remember which one) and the SRT8 beat the R-Spec around a race track. Both lap times were fairly close though.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by XWGT

If its under $60k like they are claiming, FPV and HSV have a very serious headache ahead.

I agree, this is a very cunning plan IMO as the SRT8 is so chock-a-block with technology and equipment it'll still be miles ahead on the Australian V8's equipment level's and then there's the price advantage !! There's also the possibility of the new ZF 8 speed which will enhance performance even further.

Really hope this model comes to N.Z. too.

[steve.zissou]

could i have a str8 jeep renegade please

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by XWGT

If its under $60k like they are claiming, FPV and HSV have a very serious headache ahead.

Maybe, but Holden doesn't.
They can actually give the market what it wants, a V8 Sedan for under fifty grand.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Maybe, but Holden doesn't.
They can actually give the market what it wants, a V8 Sedan for under fifty grand.

Well the market to which bowties and cylinder count is more important than performance anyway.....

[Maka]

A cheaper less "gold plated" SRT8 will be good for competition in this sector- less goodies, less weight more grunt. FPV & HSV will be watching pretty closely i believe but will they act quick enough? Do they have to? Time will tell i guess!

cheers, Maka

[Quasi]

Personally, and just a quick two-bobs worth, rebadge the so-called 'no frills' version as R/T.

They leave out the stuff already mentioned in the OP and then do cloth trim instead of leather, a lower level sound system, and other such luxury items.

They could also drop the 5.7L [if they haven't already], and you all of a sudden have a 6.4L/337Kw factory muscle car for around fifty grand. With no XR8 in the lineup from Ford, Chrysler would quite possibly attract the XR8 customers who were, or are, considering an SS in that price bracket.

[GQ_Smooth]

Chrysler and Fiat for that matter have not treated the Australian market with any respect for over 2 generations. I would be more inclined to believe this is a global push for the brand to fill a hole in this segment globally rather than just for Australia. I may be wrong but my B/S radar goes off when management say "after listing to our customers comments, blah blah blah".

The only time organisations listen to customer is when they make mistakes and things are going poorly and they begin to run out of their valuable customers.

[Brazen]

Should be a very interesting showdown between the VF Commodore SS and this Chrysler SRT8.

The budget price V8 range is a massive seller for Holden and a big halo boost for the rest of the range, Holden actually might benefit with more interest coming into the segment now that Ford has moved themselves into the FPV space.

[Pepscobra]

I don't get it... FPV give the market an affordable stripped down ball-tearer V8 with the GS 315 and its viewed as povo. Chrysler do the same thing and its revolutionary...?

[EFFalcon]

I think thats more so due to the SRT8 being able to strip some gadgetry and still be higher spec'd then the FPV.

[Rodge]

To clarify, there will still be more gear and technology in a slightly de-spec'd SRT8 than a SC GT-P or GT-E and the de-spec'd one will only excaserbate an allready alarming price difference between the brands.

[Ben73]

I would happily trade off gimmicks I never use like Bluetooth connection, voice activated radio, auto reverse park, blindspot warning and lane departure warning for a cheaper Hemi vehicle.

I do like modern features on cars, but things that I listed above would be completely useless in my car. I can live without them and many other of the modern features that car manufacturers brag about.

[mcnews]

What does the SRT8 have that a MKII GT-E/P don't have?
auto wipers - who cares
heated/cooled seats - meh no big deal for me
keyless start - That would be good I must admit I have always thought having to put the key in as well as press the button moronic
Better stereo - This would be a little welcome but not a big deal for me

Anything else.... I must admit FPV MKI feels quite sparse but MKII is a significant improvement inside in regards to tech.

[Rodge]

Do you really want me to list it all Trev ?????? Trust me its a long, long list.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Do you really want me to list it all Trev ?????? Trust me its a long, long list.

It sure is !! makes FPV and HSV look povo pack !!!!

[mcnews]

For sure, please do. Don't forget to also mention that they are ugly/gaudy as a hatful of the proverbial too though :-) And that's not brand bias talking, I am a long time Mopar head with a long history of hot Mopar ownership and extensive involvement in the marque, hell a Chrysler Club even has a perpetual trophy named after me LOL. If they brought Challenger here I would be back in a Chrysler in a heartbeat, no question.

[Rodge]

I'm not sold on the looks by any means Trev but they're a subjective thing as i'm sure you'd agree and for sure some people will overlook the controversial styling.

Havn't got time to list everything but have a look yourself from page 13 onwards, spec sheet is on the last 2 pages
http://srt.co.nz/sites/srt.co.nz/fil...es/SRT_WEB.pdf
Driving the SRT8 in 2012 was a real shock experience for me, and really woke me up to how far behind in technology the FPV vehicles have become over the six years I've been driving them.

Fittment of a 8 Speed ZF to the 2014 model due to be released in winter 2013 is probably the tipping point for me, I will probably be at a point where I don't care about the controversial styling anymore when that kit goes in and fuel efficiency improves by circa 16% along with a performance improvement.... after all you don't look at the car while you're driving it do you !!

[mcnews]

Here they are then. I like the bigger fuel tank, that would be useful.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Here they are then. I like the bigger fuel tank, that would be useful.
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Bigger by 4 Litres, you call that usefull ?.

[Rodge]

Anyway you slice and dice this thing on any objective analysis there's an absolute ton of tech and kit in there that we presently don't get in any FPV.

[mcnews]

What do you most want?
I like the not having to put a key in the ignition bit the best. The nicer stereo would be nice all the time though I have no doubt. Pretty much all the other useful stuff I want I already have in current ride.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by mcnews

What do you most want?I like the not having to put a key in the ignition bit the best. The nicer stereo would be nice all the time though I have no doubt. Pretty much all the other useful stuff I want I already have in current ride.

Its no Jaguar XFR to look at, that's more sure Trev BUT for $9,000 Kiwi less than a SC GT-P a fully loaded 2014 model SRT8 will probably get the new ZF8 speed as well which is Chrysler's experience shows a 16% fuel economy gain over the anchient but still, effective Mercedes-Benz 5G tronic that's presently in there, so that should reduce fuel consumption to around 10-9-11.0 L/100 km's, that's attractive to me. The SC 335's use too much fuel IMO.

Other key technologies that I like compared to my MK1 GT-P are:-
19 Speaker Harmon Kardon sound
Adaptive cruise control
Directional Bi xenon lights, (try some of these on a lonely back country winding lane at night and you'll be sold),
Paddle shifters on the steering wheel,
Adjustable suspension, superb ride when on the standard suspension setting, almost limo quality which I'd use most of the time
Heated and cooled / ventilated seats
Heated steering wheel, (gets bloody cold in winter here),
Key less start,
Blid spot assist
Reverse Camera
GPS system
8.4 inch touchscreen with playstation grapics and stuff, yes i know tacky but a bit of fun

That's about it for the key stuff, acknowledge your MK2 has the reverse camera and GPS and smarter DSC which this SRT8 probably has too, in fact i think it has 3 way switchable DSC, probably something else to add to the key technologies that I'd like....ohhh did I mention all this is $9,000 less than a stock GT-P

TBH there's lots of other nice little touches that go together to making the car a level clearly above where the Australian manufacturers are at, at present, e.g. real carbon fibre trim, nice meaty sports steering wheel. heated and cooled cup holders, one touch up and down windows and all that sort of general stuff that whilst few would list them as speratly desireably key features its the way all that gear comes together with the key technologies above and probably considerably better fuel economy advantage with the 2014 model which together with the bigger fuel tank and vastly more comfortable ride all combine to make this a highly desireable car and really great value for money to boot.

I'm really looking forward to reviewing the fully loaded 2014 model which I expect to be released here in Winter 2013.

[pottery beige]

please go buy one.. it would make us all very happy..