Chrysler gets more grunt

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 has a 6.1-litre Hemi engine in place of the 5.7-litre V8 in the standard 300C. This car's bigger engine lifts power by 25 per cent to 318kW.

Chrysler is set to boost its fortunes in New Zealand with the arrival this month of the high-performance version of the award-winning 300C sedan.

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 model boasts a thundering 6.1-litre Hemi engine in place of the 5.7-litre V8 in the standard Chrysler 300C.

The bigger engine lifts power by 25 per cent to 318kW (425bhp), against the 5.7-litre engine's output of 250kW.

Unlike the 5.7-litre model, the SRT8 engine does not have the cylinder de-activation system that switches off four of the eight cylinders when the vehicle is cruising.

The 6.1-litre engine is designed for peak performance and Chrysler says the system would not work effectively with the other changes.

A small number of the 300C SRT8 models go on sale here next month, joining the standard 300C 5.7-litre V8 and 3.5-litre V6 models that arrived before Christmas.

The SRT8 is the product of the Street & Racing Technology division of Chrysler, which develops high-performance versions of select production models.

New Zealanders at the Pukekohe round of the Australian V8 Supercar races will get an idea of some of the visual changes on the SRT8 when they see the pace/safety car lead on the track.

The Chrysler 300C pace/safety car has the bigger alloy wheels, low-profile tyres and lowered suspension used on the SRT8 street cars.

The 300C SRT8 becomes the second car from the stable to come to New Zealand - the first was the SRT6 version of the 6-cylinder Chrysler Crossfire sports car, introduced last year. A third SRT model, based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is due later this year.

The arrival of the 300C has already sparked much retail interest - registrations are up 100 per cent for the first two months of this year.

Chrysler is also bringing in the diesel (CRD) model and the 300C Touring station wagon.

Meanwhile, at the New York Motor Show next week, Chrysler will show off a stretched-wheelbase version of the 300C that adds a further 15cm to the length of the car.

The added length provides rear-seat passengers with nearly 1200mm of legroom and an additional three cubic metres of interior space.

The lengthened 300C is expected to attract sales from the limousine industry, as well as customers who want more 300C for their money. But it is unlikely to be seen here.