For the man who lives in the duality of the need for a whip that’s thrilling, yes, but equally as responsible, Chrysler upped the ante with the 300 SRT8 for 2013. At $49,000. 300 SRT8 is everything plus the kitchen sink that the style and performance driven flagship of the Chrysler brand can offer. You name it and if Chrysler does it, so does the 300 SRT8, while looking hot in the process. In fact, let me take that back: This baby sizzles!
Even at the most basic level, 300 has always had a commanding presence. Since inception, it’s been compared to a Bentley in terms of silhouette. But only at the SRT8 trim level can it even begin to really compare.

Rolling up and into my driveway, gleaming in a triple coat of ivory paint, and the glistening effects of the $795 Black Chrome Group’s set of 20’s (rims, of course) done in black chrome, a glossy black chrome mesh grille on a front fascia that dazzles in the daylight with LED drl’s (daytime running lights) and a spoiler on the tall, LED lit rear fascia—it brought all the boys in the neighborhood to the yard as if some chick was out there doing the milkshake! Oh, and let me not forget Harmon Kardon’s $2,000, 19-speaker sound system.

But here’s the thrill: Chrysler threw a 6.4 liter, V8 hemi up in this mug, inside of which dwells 470 horses yielding 470 pound-feet of torque. Having had the pleasure of seven straight days behind the wheel thereof, right here—with a smile on my face from ear to ear, is where I want to go straight up street, with a sentence that would sound something like this: “Oh, ____, this _____ aint no joke!”

With all that power pushing 4,365 solid pounds of weight, 300 SRT8 takes a bit of getting used to in terms of handling. The feel is solid, yet maneuverable. With so much power and capacity, you’ll want to go slow and feel your way into the flow before you get into a grove of your own. But once you do, this baby soars. Whether gracefully taking a corner on a city street, or floating down the highway, when your foot begins to even consider the word power, 300 SRT8 is standing by to perform!

And while the new V8 Hemi is no doubt a beast, technological advances deliver a combined fuel economy rating of 17 miles per gallon, with the help of Fuel Saver Technology. The torque-based system deactivates four cylinders when full power is no longer required. Case and point, while cruising at highway speeds, the even application of throttle during cruising tells the system it can shut down four cylinders to save fuel. The illumination of the “Eco” lamp let’s you know it’s on and popping.

Fun facts include beautifully stitched Bentley-esque seats that are enormously comfortable and with cooling and heating for the front row passengers and heat (with plenty of power outlets) for the back row; Cup holders in the center with a cooling and heating feature; A steering wheel that heats; Wipers are rain sensitive and a bodacious 8.4-inch monitor that can’t be missed. But just in case, with U-Connect’s voice commands, there’s pretty much no need to look and yet still set or do what ever you need to get done.  For extra points, the high beams are automatic, the steering is performance tuned and it starts remotely. Naturally, it’s keyless in every sense.

By the time you dress it up with all of the additional safety features such as blind spot and cross path detection, forward collision warning, adaptive speed control (a must for long drives) and more, you’re looking at a $58K Chrysler that will leave you smiling like a fat kid in front of a big piece of cake!