2014 Chrysler 300 SRT Provides Ultimate Combination of Luxury and High-Performance

August 31, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  The 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT sedan is targeted at customers that seek heart pounding, adrenaline-filled excitement, but don’t want to sacrifice comfort and innovative features to get it. With head turning designs inside and out, the 300 SRT provides the ultimate combination of world-class luxury, power and handling.

Performance numbers include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter mile in high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds, top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

The return of the 300 SRT to the Chrysler lineup in 2012 evoked a strong comparison to the original high-performance production car of its time – the 1955 Chrysler 300. Known for simple, strong lines, excellent engineering, high levels of luxury and outstanding performance with the first modern American V-8 engine to produce 300 horsepower, the first Chrysler 300 (C-300) was styled by Virgil Exner, who radically redesigned the entire Chrysler line and created what they called "The Forward Look" in 1955. Without much chrome on the sides, his designs were simple, but strong. Exner is credited with creating the illusion of fast, forward movement.

The Chrysler C-300 won on both the road course and the “flying mile” at Daytona in 1955. In 1956, the Chrysler 300B model won both events again. In fact, the Chrysler 300s dominated NASCAR competition in 1955 and 1956, taking the overall championship in both years. A legendary and luxurious performance car was born. The “letter cars” quickly became the most desirable of the Chrysler lineup and became known as the “Beautiful Brutes.”

Awe-inspiring powertrain
Under the hood of the 2014 300 SRT, the 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 delivers 470 horsepower (351 kW) and 470 lb.-ft. (637 N•m) of torque.

The high torque output allows for inspired standing starts and straight-line performance while performance-tuned motor mounts improve idle stability and ride control at any speed. An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing provides maximum low-end torque while optimizing high-end power.

On the highway, up to 23 mpg is achieved by use of an active valve exhaust system that allows the standard Fuel Saver Technology (four-cylinder mode) to engage over a wide rpm range. The active exhaust system also allows for straight-through mid and rear mufflers for a throaty exhaust note under engine load.

The proven five-speed automatic transmission is controlled through standard steering wheel mounted paddle shifters or the center-console mounted Auto Stick, allowing for a choice of spirited shifting on both the road and the racetrack. Both methods give the driver the ability to manually select specific gears on the transmission.

In “Drive,” the transmission controller will automatically shift the vehicle. The aggressiveness of the shifting is defined by the mode chosen – either “Normal” or “Track.” Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain more responsive while minimizing harshness.

In “Manual,” the shift method is defined by the driver choosing to use either paddle shift or Auto Stick. The “Track” mode adds a hold function to the calibration in all gears, allowing the driver full control of the shifting schedule.

Outstanding ride, handling and capability
The adaptive damping suspension (ADS) system has three modes, Auto, Sport and Track, and is tuned specifically for the 300 SRT to offer a compliant and comfortable ride on the street yet easily can be switched to handle on-track conditions.

In “Auto” mode, a wide range of on-road and driver inputs – such as vehicle speed, steering angle, steering speed, brake torque, throttle position and longitudinal/lateral/vertical accelerations – automatically tune the suspension for specific conditions.

In “Sport” mode, the damping system rebound and compression is locked to a higher damping rate. Drivers can easily choose between settings with a press of a button on the center stack to quickly change the shock damping characteristics from “Auto,” for everyday commuting, to “Sport,” for more spirited driving situations.

In “Track” mode, the higher damping rates from the Sport mode combine with a performance shifting and gear holding feature that allows the driver full shift control when using the steering wheel mounted paddle controls or Auto Stick.

A standard launch control system helps maximize straight-line acceleration. When the vehicle is at a complete stop, the driver engages the system by pressing the ESC button twice and then with their foot securely on the brake, quickly applies full throttle. Launch control holds the engine at optimal launch rpm (1,825) and waits for the driver to release the brake. Launch control then uses engine torque management to achieve controlled wheel slip for maximum acceleration up to 62 mph (100 kph).

The performance SRT-tuned, fully hydraulic steering system uses a heavy-duty pump and unique gearing to give drivers more direct feel and on-center response.

Standard on the Core model are the 20” x 9” split five spoke cast aluminum wheels with painted pockets. Seven-spoke, 20-inch lightweight forged aluminum wheels are available in both a polished finish and a Black Vapor Chrome finish. Available three- or four-season Goodyear tires provide great looks with fun-to-drive performance and handling.

Benchmark braking
SRT vehicles are well known for their world-class stopping power and the 2014 300 SRT features 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers painted in a black finish on the Core model, and a silver finish on the premium model.

The Ready Alert Braking system anticipates when the driver quickly releases the accelerator pedal and may initiate an emergency brake stop, after which the electronic stability control pump engages to set brake pads against rotors in order to decrease the time required for full brake application.

Improved brake cooling and fade performance comes courtesy of wind tunnel designed brake cooling ducts that direct airflow to the vented rotors for consistent stopping power.

Aggressive and functional exterior
An SRT-exclusive front fascia has a modern, yet timeless appearance that is carried through the grille and Chrysler wing badge. The black chrome upper and lower grille surrounds, rear valance strip and SRT-exclusive, Black Vapor Chrome wheels are part of the available Black Chrome Group.

The 2014 300 SRT sits a half-inch lower than non-SRT models and features SRT-exclusive side sill cladding painted in matching body color for the “planted” look of a true sports sedan. Standard wheels are seven-spoke, 20 x 9-inch, fully forged aluminum with polished face and painted sparkle silver. The available fully forged, Black Vapor Chrome aluminum wheels are the same seven-spoke, 20 x 9-inch design.

Exterior colors for 2014 include: Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Pearl Coat, Gloss Black Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Pearl Coat, Ivory Pearl Tri-coat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat and Phantom Black Tri-coat Pearl.

The rear includes a unique lower fascia with chrome accent bar, four-inch round dual exhaust tips and a new SRT deck-lid badge that no longer carries the engine cylinder number reference.

Race-inspired and high-performance interior
The interior environment combines world-class luxury accommodations with performance-oriented technology and appointments.

A leather-wrapped, SRT-exclusive steering wheel features a unique satin chrome rim section with a flattened bottom surface showing the SRT logo and a heat feature on Premium models. Standard paddle shift controls flank both sides of the contoured palm rests while all audio and Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) controls are accessible from the horizontal spokes on the steering wheel.

For the high-performance look, Premium models include real carbon fiber interior trim pieces integrated into the instrument panel, door spears and shifter bezel and racing style brake and gas pedal pads.

The full-color graphic EVIC with exclusive Performance Pages includes timers for 0-60 mph, one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times, 60-0 braking distance, along with lateral and longitudinal g-forces.

The instrument panel’s 8.4-inch color touchscreen display – the segment’s largest standard display – also has all the same Performance Pages data as the EVIC, and is further expanded to include steering angle, horsepower and torque outputs along with engine gauges. The display is customizable to a driver selectable background.

On the premium model, the standard heated and ventilated front seats have active headrests with the SRT logo embroidered in the seat backs. Rear seats also are heated for passenger comfort. Modified door trim panels feature unique bolster material and accent stitching on armrests to match the seats.

The 300 SRT Core model’s interior includes a premium ‘Ballistic’ cloth from the new SRT Viper while the SRT Premium model’s standard interior includes treatment on the door and center console armrests and Nappa leather seats with Axis perforated suede inserts and silver accent stitching throughout.

The premium model’s interior is available in Black, Radar Red with Black, and with the Laguna interior package which includes seats and armrest fully wrapped in Laguna Premium Leather.

The available Premium Leather Interior Package adds Poltrona Frau “Foligno” leather-wrapped upper door trim panels, instrument panel, cluster brow and center console side panels. This package also adds Nappa leather on the door and center console armrests, except when combined with the Laguna leather interior where the Sepia colored Laguna leather covers the armrests.

Safety and security
The 2014 300 SRT features more than 70 advanced safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and electronic stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling and performance.

Chrysler brand’s signature SafetyTec Group is available on the 2014 300 SRT and packages many available features including adaptive-forward lighting (AFL), high-intensity discharge (HID) projector high and low beams with automatic headlamp leveling, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with adaptive cruise control (ACC), Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, ParkSense front and rear park assist system, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental turn signals and approach lamp.

In addition, standard front-row reactive head restraints, standard full-length side-curtain air bags, driver’s knee bag and standard front seat-mounted side-thorax air bags offer enhanced occupant protection to passengers in the event of a collision.

Connectivity
The state-of-the-art Uconnect Media Center 8.4N system provides all of the next-generation mobile connectivity and multimedia items to keep passengers connected between any destinations. With the segment’s largest standard touchscreen display (8.4-inches), the easy-to-use system delivers world-class functionality with an intuitive user interface that was benchmarked against the best E-segment sedans from Europe, Asia and North America.

Segment-exclusive Garmin navigation on the premium Uconnect Media Center 8.4N model provides easy-to-use maps, lane guidance and more than 6 million points of interest. SiriusXM Travel Link on the premium Uconnect Media Center 8.4N provides real-time weather, fuel prices, sports scores and movie theater information to make any trip more efficient and fun. SiriusXM Traffic provides real-time traffic reports where available.

Uconnect Voice Command, Uconnect Media Center, steering-wheel controls and familiar center-stack controls all work in synergy to make the experience intuitive and simple for the driver.

The 300 SRT features an available 900-watt, 19-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from Harman Kardon. The system offers world premier innovation, featuring a 32-volt tracking power supply (TPS) 12-channel Class D amplifier that delivers outstanding acoustics and brings multi-dimensional, quality sound for all interior occupants.

The system uses GreenEdge technology speaker and amplifier technology to offer superior sound quality and high sound pressure level outputs with minimum energy consumption. GreenEdge amplifiers alone outperform traditional amplifier efficiency by up to 55 percent, representing a net efficiency of more than 90 percent in some cases. The speakers are tuned for maximum efficiency and perfectly matched to the amplifier output.

The system’s 19 GreenEdge ultra lightweight, high-efficiency speakers include:

• Seven 3.5-inch Unity Coaxial mid-range speakers with seven integrated tweeters located in the front dash, rear doors and rear deck
• Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers located in the front doors
• Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers in the rear deck
• One 10-inch subwoofer in the rear deck
   

300 SRT Core Model
In 2013, the SRT brand expanded its “Core SRT” vehicle strategy by offering “Core” models that included exclusive content, including the standard premium ‘Ballistic’ cloth interior from the new SRT Viper, SRT-tuned sport suspensions and distinctive exterior accents. The “Core” models are designed and built with the back-to-basics performance-driving enthusiast in mind.

The 300 SRT “Core” model features a 6.4L badge on the front fenders, 20-inch cast-aluminum wheels with black painted pockets and standard black Brembo brake calipers (also available in red). On the inside of the new “Core” model, black seating surfaces use the same premium “Ballistic” cloth inserts from the SRT Viper and are flanked by black “Axel” cloth bolsters and door bolster inserts. Various matte carbon and piano black accents surround the instrument panel, door bezels and center console.

SRT Track Experience
Owners of any Chrysler Group SRT vehicle receive one day of professional driving instruction as part of the SRT Track Experience, designed to maximize their driving knowledge, skills and safety on the street or track. Sessions are held throughout the year at selected tracks.

About SRT
The Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.

The 2014 SRT lineup features five vehicles that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. The Chrysler 300 SRT, Dodge Challenger SRT, Dodge Charger SRT and Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT join the flagship SRT Viper, which made its highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market in 2013.
 
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