An updated 2016 Chrysler 300 SRT8 will touch down in Australia in six to eight weeks, the companyâs local arm has confirmed with CarAdvice today.
Local buyers will be treated to tweaked styling and a small power boost in the familiar 6.4 litre V8 â" now up by 3kW and 6Nm to 350kW and 637Nm â" along with a long overdue upgrade to an eight-speed automatic transmission, at last dropping the outgoing modelâs five-speed unit.
These improvements wonât come for free, however, with the 2016 model bringing a $3000 price hike to $69,000 plus on-roads.
Importantly, continued availability of a 300 SRT8 here comes as something of a salute to our insatiable desire for big power, with the Australian market now one of the few to be offered the hero 300. In its home market, the SRT badge is now exclusive to the Dodge brand.
Speaking with CarAdvice at this weekâs local launch of the 2016 300 range, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia president and CEO, Pat Dougherty, highlighted Australiaâs role in keeping the 300 SRT8 alive.
âWeâre the lead market⦠we were the only market, originally, that was going to bring the new [SRT8] model out, but some other markets have now said they want to do that as well,â Dougherty said.
âThat will obviously be our large performance car, at least until we have a decision on Charger and Challenger.â
A local debut for the Charger could also make this the last SRT-powered 300 to come to Australia, as Dodge takes over the companyâs performance focus and Chrysler shifts to a more luxury-oriented strategy.
âDepending on what we do there, I donât think we [Chrysler] would vacate that space completely, but itâs possible,â Dougherty said.
In Chryslerâs North American line-up, where an SRT model can no longer be had, the most powerful option is a 271kW 5.7 litre V8. Hardly small fries, but still a clear concession to Dodgeâs role as FCAâs new performance leader.
Note: Americaâs 5.7 litre 300S pictured. 2016 SRT photos still to come.
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