Chrysler 300 to have 425 hp

[bigslim]

I just got my new Motor Trend today and it had a clip about the 300C. It said that early in 2005 the 300C will get a 6.1 liter engine putting out 425 hp. It will be called the SRT-8. I don't know about you guys this sounds very tempting. 425 hp out of the factory for a car that is smaller and weighs less than our cars sounds pretty damn good. I work for Ford but it getting harder for me to buy one with all the other choices.

[MERCMAN]

It is still butt-ugly :lol:

[2005Marauder]

It is still butt-ugly :lol:

Because it's made to kick ugly-butts.

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

Yeah man, Bigslim has got a point. 425 horses? Factory? Man...that thing will blow the doors off of most Marauders....and most certainly blow the doors off any CV/GM/TC.

What's the price tag gonna look like?

[MENINBLK]

I just got my new Motor Trend today and it had a clip about the 300C. It said that early in 2005 the 300C will get a 6.1 liter engine putting out 425 hp. It will be called the SRT-8. I don't know about you guys this sounds very tempting. 425 hp out of the factory for a car that is smaller and weighs less than our cars sounds pretty damn good. I work for Ford but it getting harder for me to buy one with all the other choices.

The 6.1L is IN the Chrysler Crossfire.
The 6.1L is based on the Mercedes 5.0L found in the S500.
The 6.1L Crossfire is NOT for sale in the US, according to the May 31st issue of Autoweek, pg 22.
This car weighs 3400 lbs, does 0-60 in 4.7 sec, is 426HP/458TQ out of the 6.1L V8, and is all built by Startech.
The price ??? A mere $135,000 with Brakes, Wheels/Tires, Chassis, and 6.1L tuning.

Startech is working on a Compressor Version of the 6.1L donned the SRT-6 which will be available through Brabus, Newport Beach next year.
Mind you, this is an AUTOMATIC equipped vehicle, not the 6 speed Crossfire V8 that is NOT available in the US NOW...

As stated in the beginning of the article...
"A couple years back Brabus, Mercedes-Benz upgrade artists in Germany, created a firm, Startech,
to handle power and styling upgrades for Chrysler Group rides.
Startech takes Brabus' engineering know-how and makes hairier versions of cars
Americans would NEVER dream of hot rodding.
Think sinister-looking Voyager going cupholder-to-cupholder with Marauder."

I don't think we will be seeing many of these on the road...
And Startech is right, who would hot rod a BUTT-UGLY Chrysler ???

[EbonyMarauder03]

It may be butt ugly but it is still a nice ride. Don't care for the independant rear suspension and like our cars I believe it should be riding on high test. I got to take one for a nice trip down route 32 along the Delaware River. It pinged it's butt off because it was running regular gas. It had no problem keeping up with an early 90's vette. It's has an interesting perspective with the "chopped" look of the roof. The seats were nice because of the bulstering that kept you centered in the seat. As it stood I thought my stock MM would smoke it though. Like I said earlier the solid rear axle has nicer handling than the IRS of the 300C. Time will tell. Need to get my friend to get it back for some head to head competition.

[gja]

$135,000.00???????????
Holy CRAP !!!!
I can think of at least 10 other cars that will wipe the road with that overpriced piece of snot for that level of price. :lol:

You would have to be an idiot to spend so much on THAT car. :puke: :stupid:

Good grief, there are so many better cars when you get to that price bracket.

[01 Interceptor]

Yeah like a modded AMG E55 (look for an E65 coming soon), or a stock S55, with the S65 also coming soon...but sooner than the E-Class version. Also, I can think of a certain car of Japanese fame that would do nicely...a Nissan Skyline GT-R (non riced out of course.)

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

Good call, John.

Mmmm....Skyline. Non riced of course, just like you said. :up:

[jstevens]

It is still butt-ugly :lol:
Like he said.....from what I heard, you can't hang your arm out the window due to the high door lines.

[Blue03]

Isn't $135k getting into the new Ford GT price range? How long would you have to think on it?

[deerejoe]

If that 'big' engine is any thing like previous Mopars...look for about 8-10 mpg.

The car companies continue to taunt us with horsepower...guess its about time to buy some oil stock??

Todays news was all about $50.00 cost per barrel of oil not too distant....all the 'wild catters' will be uncovering their oil drilling rigs and punching new holes where ever they can.

I smell the 1970s all over again...you couldn't give an RV away and every other station was closing for lack of gas.

Real or contrived, it ushered in a sweeping set of changes across the country.

I wonder if a 425 HP ELECTRIC motor will 'burn rubber'?????
With onboard storage batteries, the vehicle should weigh in at approx.
5 TONS!!

[Fourth Horseman]

Like I said earlier the solid rear axle has nicer handling than the IRS of the 300C.

I have to admit I don't really see where you're coming from here. My last two cars had independent rear suspensions and I found they handled much nicer than the solid live axle in the Marauder in situations where the road was very bumpy. I notice that axle hop tends to make the Marauder's back end want to swing out when cornering in such conditions. This is something I never experienced with IRS. I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are on the benefits of the solid axle over an IRS setup. Or did you mean just the 300c's IRS, and not all IRS in general? Just curious.

[MENINBLK]

Yeah like a modded AMG E55 (look for an E65 coming soon), or a stock S55, with the S65 also coming soon...but sooner than the E-Class version. Also, I can think of a certain car of Japanese fame that would do nicely...a Nissan Skyline GT-R (non riced out of course.)

The same issue of Autoweek says that Mercedes will have, in early 2005, a CLS55 AMG (with a picture) that sports a 500HP 5.5L V8 Compressor engine.
The car will be debuting at the Paris Auto Show this fall.
By 2006, the CLS55 AMG will develop into a 6.3L CLS65 AMG with a 600HP Twin Turboed V12 and used in the CL65 and SL65 AMG models.
These will be available as "Special Order" models.

BMW will counter early next year with the M6, based on the 6 Series coupe, with a 5.5L 550HP V10 linked to a 7 speed sequential-manual gearbox.

No pricing or MPG is ever mentioned... :help:

[bigslim]

First off MENINBLK, the 300C will see the light of day. It will have a bored out 5.7 Hemi in it. I had heard about once before but it is the first time a publication printed it. You better believe that the SRT-8 300 will have a more performance tuned suspension and bigger wheels and tires. I am thinking with Chrysler and the chances they take they will probably have at least 20 inch wheels. I will be looking at this car closely. Hate to have two Chryslers though working at Ford. I wish Ford would hurry up and jump on this bandwagon before it is too late.

[MENINBLK]

First off MENINBLK, the 300C will see the light of day. It will have a bored out 5.7 Hemi in it. I had heard about once before but it is the first time a publication printed it. You better believe that the SRT-8 300 will have a more performance tuned suspension and bigger wheels and tires. I am thinking with Chrysler and the chances they take they will probably have at least 20 inch wheels. I will be looking at this car closely. Hate to have two Chryslers though working at Ford. I wish Ford would hurry up and jump on this bandwagon before it is too late.

I'm not doubting what you read, after all it was printed in a car rag...
But what I read was that the 6.1L is alive today, just not in the states.
And the wheels you talked about are on the Crossfire V8.
19" in the front and 20" in the rear, wrapped with Z-Rated Pirellis,
but with the DISCS and PADS to MATCH !!!
This is something the folks at Mercury left out of our Marauders...

If Chrylser bores out the 5.7L HEMI to make the 6.1L HEMI for the SRT-8 300,
it will flop because they need to learn the same lesson that FORD learned.
When you introduce a new technology and it FLOPS, get over it and start out with something newer or rename it to make it appear newer.
The HEMIs in the 300 now are not the same HEMIs in the trucks and customers are realizing it.
They are also not the HEMIs of the 60s.
They need to rename the engine to 6.1L SRT or something and drop the HEMI designation.
It just ain't working in the marketing department.

Neither is GM's 2004 GTO the GTO of the 60s.
This is why they've only sold 2400 of them and they are now for sale
in the back of the very rags we read...

[hitchhiker]

It is still butt-ugly :lol:

EX-Actly

:up:

[RCSignals]

Ford is also planning a new 400 plus hp engine, Code named Hurricane.
Wasn't there an article about it here?

[BillyGman]

Ford is also planning a new 400 plus hp engine, Code named Hurricane.
Wasn't there an article about it here?
That's interesting. I didn't know about that. however, w/all this talk about HP ratings(and I LUV it) just keep in mind that a rating of 400HP is at the crankshaft or flywheel/flexplate, and that translates to about 320 HP at the rear wheels (assuming that you're talking about a RWD car). And 320 HP isn't all that impressive if the car in question weighs as much as a Marauder does. Sure it will move pretty good, but it wouldn't be a fantastic improvement in performance over and above that of a mildly modifed marauder, unless it was about 1,000 LBS lighter than a Marauder is.

BTW, while we're on this topic, can someone please tell me what a "COMPRESSOR" engine is supposed to be? I saw that term mentioned in atleast two different posts in this thread.

[MENINBLK]

BTW, while we're on this topic, can someone please tell me what a "COMPRESSOR" engine is supposed to be? I saw that term mentioned in at least two different posts in this thread.

A "Compressor" engine is a term used by Mercedes for SuperCharged.
Any engine that they put a SuperCharger on, becomes a 'Compressor' engine.
I'm sure you've seen quite a few Mercedes with 'Compresor' badges on the fenders ?

[studio460]

It is still butt-ugly.
What mercman said . . .

[RCSignals]

That's interesting. I didn't know about that. however, w/all this talk about HP ratings(and I LUV it) just keep in mind that a rating of 400HP is at the crankshaft or flywheel/flexplate, and that translates to about 320 HP at the rear wheels (assuming that you're talking about a RWD car). And 320 HP isn't all that impressive if the car in question weighs as much as a Marauder does. Sure it will move pretty good, but it wouldn't be a fantastic improvement in performance over and above that of a mildly modifed marauder, unless it was about 1,000 LBS lighter than a Marauder is.


Sure, that also applies to a 425hp 300C. HP at the crank. OK as long as they are building more RWD automobiles.

[BillyGman]

A "Compressor" engine is a term used by Mercedes for SuperCharged.
Any engine that they put a SuperCharger on, becomes a 'Compressor' engine.
I'm sure you've seen quite a few Mercedes with 'Compresor' badges on the fenders ?Okay. I thought that might have meant that, but I wasn't sure. I don't know why they can't just stick w/calling them Supercharged engines like the entire rest of the world does. But hey, I've never even been to Germany, so what do I know? As far as the Mercedes fender badges, I've never even noticed them since there's never been one Mercedes that had a body style that I even remotely liked. So I never bothered to look that closely at any of them.

It would be like gazing at a Lady for no reason who wasn't even talking to me, and who i wasn't attracted to at all. Why would I? there wouldn't be any point in it (unless ofcourse she needed my help for some reason).

but again, thanks for the explanation on that.:up:

[BillyGman]

AAAHH the politics of the car industry. Ya gotta Luv it.......

[Patrick]

What mercman said . . .

Sorry have to keep up with this theme!!!!

[ADE 1000]

If Chrylser bores out the 5.7L HEMI to make the 6.1L HEMI for the SRT-8 300,
it will flop because they need to learn the same lesson that FORD learned.
When you introduce a new technology and it FLOPS, get over it and start out with something newer or rename it to make it appear newer.
The HEMIs in the 300 now are not the same HEMIs in the trucks and customers are realizing it.
They are also not the HEMIs of the 60s.
They need to rename the engine to 6.1L SRT or something and drop the HEMI designation.
It just ain't working in the marketing department.

What on earth are you talking about???? The Hemi is about the only sucessful thing Chrysler has going now and it is definetly considered a marketing homerun by any stretch of the imagination.

The SRT-8 will have a 6.1L Hemi. And if it has 400 plus horsepower and costs below $45K, there is no doubt that it will be a winner. People can knock the cars styling as much as they want, the 300C seems to be a success at this point. I am not a big fan of it, but I must admit it is striking and most people I talk to seem to like it.

[rookie1]

What on earth are you talking about???? The Hemi is about the only sucessful thing Chrysler has going now and it is definetly considered a marketing homerun by any stretch of the imagination.

The SRT-8 will have a 6.1L Hemi. And if it has 400 plus horsepower and costs below $45K, there is no doubt that it will be a winner. People can knock the cars styling as much as they want, the 300C seems to be a success at this point. I am not a big fan of it, but I must admit it is striking and most people I talk to seem to like it.

This vehicle is a marketing success in large part because Daimler has it priced so aggressively. There was an article(I think maybe in Crains) that they are losing $$$ on every less than fully optioned model sold. Not all together unusal for a new model but a loss none the less.
Also They are the undisputed KING of minivans and while the wife and I aren't suv or van people that fold in the floor feature on all seats is again way ahead of the field. I am almost ashamed to admit it, but, when I go on golf trips to FLA in the winter with the guys we prefer the Chrysler vans to all other vans.

[TAF]

The 300 is STILL "butt-ugly"...but maybe it will force the hand of Ford to actually/finally/positively build the 427.

Which I'd buy, in a heart-beat...
http://www.outrefranc.com/salons/detroit2003/img/ford427.jpg

http://www.seriouswheels.com/images/Ford-427-Concept-Engine.jpg

[Logan]

They could stick 800 hp in it...

...it's still only a chrysler.

[Haggis]

They could stick 800 hp in it...

...it's still only a chrysler.


PMPLMAF :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

People can knock the cars styling as much as they want, the 300C seems to be a success at this point. I am not a big fan of it, but I must admit it is striking and most people I talk to seem to like it.

I have to agree with that. To be quite honest fellas, I have seen more 300C's on the road in the past month than I have seen Marauders in the past two years... :cry:

[MapleLeafMerc]

A "Compressor" engine is a term used by Mercedes for SuperCharged.
Any engine that they put a SuperCharger on, becomes a 'Compressor' engine.
I'm sure you've seen quite a few Mercedes with 'Compresor' badges on the fenders ?

Up here zey have zuh word "Kompressor" on zem, ja?

FWIW, in the absence of another full size RWD sedan to choose from (in my snack bracket), I'd consider the 300C.

[TAF]

I have to agree with that. To be quite honest fellas, I have seen more 300C's on the road in the past month than I have seen Marauders in the past two years... :cry:
Uh...but...I actually consider that...a GOOD thing! Wait till Budget Rent-A-Car starts taking delivery of their 300s...then all the poor schlemiels that bought the "hemi-ones" will have a REAL unique car on there hands...:depress:

I'll take my traffic stopping looks over the 300...anyday. :beatnik:

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

Uh...but...I actually consider that...a GOOD thing! Wait till Budget Rent-A-Car starts taking delivery of their 300s...then all the poor schlemiels that bought the "hemi-ones" will have a REAL unique car on there hands...:depress:

I'll take my traffic stopping looks over the 300...anyday. :beatnik:

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong TAF. I can't afford a Marauder nor a 300C, but if I could, I'd take the Marauder any day!

I was just trying to make a point that even though a lot of us on this board may not particularly care for the 300C, overall they seem to be doing pretty well on the market.

[ADE 1000]

This vehicle is a marketing success in large part because Daimler has it priced so aggressively. There was an article(I think maybe in Crains) that they are losing $$$ on every less than fully optioned model sold. Not all together unusal for a new model but a loss none the less.
Also They are the undisputed KING of minivans and while the wife and I aren't suv or van people that fold in the floor feature on all seats is again way ahead of the field. I am almost ashamed to admit it, but, when I go on golf trips to FLA in the winter with the guys we prefer the Chrysler vans to all other vans.

The vehicle is a sucess because of aggressive pricing no doubt. However, the whole "Hemi" thing has been a winner due to some good advertising and building on past heritage. It now a powerful marketing tool for Chrysler for the Ram, Durango, and the 300/Magnum. Even people who are not familiar with the legendary Hemi engines from the past now know exactly what the name represents.

[Logan]

I'll take my traffic stopping looks over the 300...anyday. :beatnik:
Must...resist...Too....Easy...

[TAF]

Must...resist...Too....Easy...
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[TripleTransAm]

I wonder if a 425 HP ELECTRIC motor will 'burn rubber'?????


You need much less than that to burn rubber. Ask me how I know. ;) :up:
(ironically, my first real contact with Ford, back when I was an engineering student).

Just remember the basic differences between a DC motor and a fuel motor... fuel motors don't make ANY torque at 0 RPM. They are essentially dead if this happens, and you gotta restart them.

Electric motors, on the other hand, make a great deal of torque at 0 RPM (perhaps even their maximum... I forget, it's been over 12 years since I worked on this). Because at 0 RPM there is no reverse voltage present in the circuit from the motors spinning, nothing is there to slow the current so it'll suck up current as much as the supply (and wiring) will allow... and make TONS of torque.

Our ('92 I believe) Escort Wagon would fry the rear tires from a complete stop just with two relatively small sized motors each powering a rear wheel (WITH the whole battery weight sitting ON TOP of the rear tires!), using a couple of motors we fetched from a company in Boston.

Sounded weird, and it took some getting used to the different power characteristics from the electric motors, but it did MOVE. :up:

[Marauderman]

you gotta know Martyo must be Court--he wouldn't have miss this one for any other reason....

[TripleTransAm]

I gotta ask...

how different ARE these two cars, besides the front end???

[Marauderman]

I'll take my traffic stopping looks over the 300...anyday. :beatnik:

Ok-meant to quote this one darn it--- anyway--Martyo must be in court to have missed this one ...... :eek:

[Haggis]

I gotta ask...

how different ARE these two cars, besides the front end???


The one on the right has a Hemi? Right?

And the one on the left doesn't.

[TripleTransAm]

Exactly my point... looks like everyone's jumping on the bandwagon.

[TAF]

I gotta ask...

how different ARE these two cars, besides the front end???
1) The one on the left is NOT a POS Chrysler product
2) The one on the left has a V-10 engine
3) The one on the left would be a respectable successor to the (rumored to be demised) Panther platform.
4) The one on the left would not be available in a V-6 option to be rented at Budget/National/Enterprise, etc.
5) The one on the left has my name on it, if it's built.

[Dr Caleb]

I gotta ask...

how different ARE these two cars, besides the front end???

To my eyes, the 300c looks like it's running on it's 'tippy toes'. Otherwise, little difference.

[TripleTransAm]

1) The one on the left is NOT a POS Chrysler product
2) The one on the left has a V-10 engine
3) The one on the left would be a respectable successor to the (rumored to be demised) Panther platform.
4) The one on the left would not be available in a V-6 option to be rented at Budget/National/Enterprise, etc.
5) The one on the left has my name on it, if it's built.


You forgot one...

6) The one on the left has a ticking valve guide sound coming from somewhere near the driver's side wheel well. ;)
(honest... the guy in the red tie is pointing right at it, too!)

[TAF]

You forgot one...

6) The one on the left has a ticking valve guide sound coming from somewhere near the driver's side wheel well. ;)
(honest... the guy in the red tie is pointing right at it, too!)
That's just Bill Ford saying..."and for the Canucks...we'll use the grade "D" engines...."

[junehhan]

What on earth are you talking about???? The Hemi is about the only sucessful thing Chrysler has going now and it is definetly considered a marketing homerun by any stretch of the imagination.

The SRT-8 will have a 6.1L Hemi. And if it has 400 plus horsepower and costs below $45K, there is no doubt that it will be a winner. People can knock the cars styling as much as they want, the 300C seems to be a success at this point. I am not a big fan of it, but I must admit it is striking and most people I talk to seem to like it.

I think the 300C is still butt ugly, but there comes a point when that can be overlooked as it's just one criteria out of many that has to meet my standard. If the rest of the car is good enough to overlook the flaw in exterior styling, then it's the sum of all the criteria involved in judging a car that would help me make my decision. This is going to be a niche' car either way, and I hope Chrysler doesn't expect to mass produce it. That is also providing, that it will carry a reasonable sticker. I however, would never buy a Chrysler product, so this is out of the equation anyway.............

[TripleTransAm]

That's just Bill Ford saying..."and for the Canucks...we'll use the grade "D" engines...."

DAYUM!! I had no idea we were getting the GOOD ones!
:bounce: :baaa:

[TripleTransAm]

This is going to be a niche' car either way, and I hope Chrysler doesn't expect to mass produce it. That is also providing, that it will carry a reasonable sticker. I however, would never buy a Chrysler product, so this is out of the equation anyway.............

Well, I have seen more new 300Cs on the road in the past 2 weeks than I have seen Marauders in person, ever! And this includes Hershey. As a matter of fact, there is one in my parking garage at work... I have not had the time to look more closely at it, nor am I terribly interested in it (styling-wise, it doesn't do it for me).

And no I don't think I'd ever buy a Chrysler product either, not after the experiences some members of my family have had with them over the years (mind you, things could have improved over the years). But then again, I also said I'd never buy a Ford, and over the past year I swear I've seen some airborne swine hovering past my house on a few occasions!

So now I never say never...

[Haggis]

But then again, I also said I'd never buy a Ford, and over the past year I swear I've seen some airborne swine hovering past my house on a few occasions!

So now I never say never...


Steve how many times have you been told Pink Floyd's "Animals" is not a frisbe. :nono:

[Sidney]

:burnout: Slim is correct on the 6.1 hemi. I currently work at the Jeep plant and along with the redesigned 2005 cherokee a bigger jeep will be launched in Jan. It will be offered with a 6.1 Hemi. Therefore, why not use parts off the self. Don't get me wrong I love my marauder but, unlike the 300c transmission from the S600, we 2003 owners are searching for upgrades to a $35,000 car. So choose your future stoplight races wisely, if your not supercharged.

P.S. The current 300c is capable of beating us with just a 2.82 gear. 0-60mph in 5.3-5.5. Just a thought.

[TripleTransAm]

Steve how many times have you been told Pink Floyd's "Animals" is not a frisbe. :nono:


Aw damn, now I've got "Dogs" playing in my head non-stop...

[ADE 1000]

I think the 300C is still butt ugly, but there comes a point when that can be overlooked as it's just one criteria out of many that has to meet my standard. If the rest of the car is good enough to overlook the flaw in exterior styling, then it's the sum of all the criteria involved in judging a car that would help me make my decision. This is going to be a niche' car either way, and I hope Chrysler doesn't expect to mass produce it. That is also providing, that it will carry a reasonable sticker. I however, would never buy a Chrysler product, so this is out of the equation anyway.............

Trust me, with the exception of the Viper I would not buy a "Daimlier Chrysler" product either.

The 300 is not at all a niche product, they sold 10,000 of them in April (40% had the Hemi). However, the SRT-8 will likely be made in limited numbers.

[Logan]

This thread is annoying me. Start a new one that doesn't fly around like a sidewinder...