Chrysler Announces Pricing for the 2012 SRT Lineup
by Patrick Rall
When the 2012 model year hits the American auto industry, the Chrysler Group’s SRT brand will return to prominence with a total of 4 vehicles as the Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 join the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 to establish the first multi-brand, high performance automaker in the US. Former Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles has made the move to head up the new SRT brand and today, his crew announced the pricing for the 2012 SRT lineup.
The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is the least expensive model in the
lineup, with a price starting at $44,820 including the $825 destination
fee. This includes the 6.4L Hemi with 470 horsepower and 470lb-ft of
torque and a 6-speed manual transmission. Compared to the 2011
Challenger SRT8 392, the 2012 model will set you back about $1,200 more,
but considering that this includes the new dual mode active suspension
system – this is far from an arbitrary price increase for the new model
year. Dodge hasn’t announced how much the automatic option will raise the
price, but it could be as low as $995, based on the 2011 price. At the
same time, it could also cost a little more since the automatic
Challengers now include the fantastic new paddle shift system. It
should also be pointed out that 2012 Challenger SRT8 392 models with the
manual transmission face a gas guzzler tax of $1,000, while those with
the paddle shifters will pay $1,300 on top of the aforementioned prices.
The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 returns to the lineup after a short hiatus,
packing the same 470 horsepower, 6.4L Hemi from the 2011 Challenger SRT8
but unlike the 2-door Challenger, the Charger will not come with a
manual transmission option. However, the Charger SRT8 will receive the
active dampening suspension system and the paddle shifter 5-speed
automatic transmission found in the Challenger. The SRT variant of the
Charger comes with a super aggressive exterior package to help it stand
out from the non-SRT Chargers with a sporty, high end interior layout
that adds comfort to this high performance sedan. The Charger SRT8
carries a starting price of $46,620, including destination and the
Charger will likely be subject to the same $1,300 gas guzzler charges as
the Challenger.
The 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 is next in line with a starting price of
$47,995. The 300C is mechanically identical to the Charger, but the
Chrysler super-sedan comes with a high end interior expected of a proper
luxury car with a subtle yet sporty exterior dressing. With 470
horsepower and 470lb-ft of torque, the 2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8 is among
the most powerful luxury cars on the market – costing less than
competition from the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the highest price model with a base
price of $55,295, including destination fees. This premium is what you pay for
features like a luxurious interior, advanced four wheel drive system, 5-speed
automatic transmission and the 392 cubic inch Hemi – which in this
application makes 470 horsepower and 465lb-ft of torque. The Grand
Cherokee SRT8 may prove to be the ultimate family performance vehicle
with supercar-like performance in the summer and a trail rated 4WD
system that makes the Jeep far better than any sports car in harsh winter
weather.
These vehicles will become available later this year and they will be
joined by the 2013 Dodge Viper from the SRT group, expected to arrive in
the late spring or early summer.
All these rides will drop your jaw, but if all four were there for the
taking, and all you had to do was choose, which SRT would you speed off with and
why? Click here to voice your opinion!