"Chrysler has revealed plans to build a 6.4-litre muscle car purely for the Australian market

[csv8]

"Chrysler has revealed plans to build a 6.4-litre muscle car purely for the Australian market.

The brand revealed an updated 300 sedan at the Los Angeles motor show this week, featuring a new look along with significant technological upgrades.

Australia's love of V8-powered muscle cars has not gone unnoticed by Chrysler, which will replace a 5.7-litre V8 used in American-market 300s with a full-fat Hemi designed to take on the Ford Falcon XR8 and HSV Clubsport.

Chrysler boss Al Gardner says the car will have around 370kW of power.

"What we're doing with the 300 is different from North America," he says.

"We're going to bring the SRT8 to Australia - it's the only country that we're producing the SRT8 for.

"You're going to get the 6.4-litre engine with 500 horsepower - the beast."

The SRT8 is likely to be based on Chrysler's new 300S sedan, which differs from previous models in that it trades blingy chrome for jet-black highlights on its bodywork.

Dodge's 527kW Challenger and Charger Hellcat twins will not officially come to Australia as they are not available in right-hand drive, but it may be possible for the Hellcat's supercharged Hemi motor to find its way into the 300 bodyshell.

Chrysler insiders in Los Angeles could not confirm whether the 300 is in line for the Hellcat treatment.

Gardner says the Hellcat has been a hit, and that a limited run of the cars will sell out ."
http://www.theage.com.au/drive/motor...21-11qyrw.html
My comment : but Ford cann't keep the XR8 in production????? If Chrysler can see the need for an Australia only V8 ? why cann't Ford/Holden ??? limited build for one country is to be commended....

[Cashie]

Originally Posted by csv8

"Chrysler has revealed plans to build a 6.4-litre muscle car purely for the Australian market.

My comment : but Ford cann't keep the XR8 in production????? If Chrysler can see the need for an Australia only V8 ? why cann't Ford/Holden ??? limited build for one country is to be commended....

Easy to work out, Chrysler will be building the 300s for many markets (ie not just one small country). To reengineer a large production run model with new running gear for even one country is far more financially viable than maintaining an entire factory to make limited numbers of Falcons and Territories.
As we all knew, Ford Australia needed to get out cars into as many overseas markets as possible to remain alive. Ford HQ wanted none of it.

[chopstar87]

Also as the 300c shares platforms with the dodge challenger (SRT), so there is minimal re-engineering to be done. and all the RHD stuff is already sorted with current model SRT, so it will be no biggy at have the SRT for Australia, as its just using performance parts from a car that is built of the same platform.

[Polyal]

LOL no RHD GT350 yet Chrysler does that.

Good on them, they are looking to pick up the slack from Ford and Holden I guess in the hope not many will want 2 door sports cars to replace their FPV/HSV's?

The new 300 looks very nice.

[Freiherr]

It will be interesting to see what price this beast comes at. I doubt that Chrysler can do lower than 70K which still makes the XR8 bargain buying. The 300 also comes at a more obese weight than the local boys.

[graphicgoose]

If they made them with a manual option I'd be interested...but this auto only gig is a bit lame.

[fgpsi]

Bring us hellcat not some ugly lard **** box

[Polyal]

The XR8 isnt exactly the epitome of sports saloons either, not that many of them ever see a track or are pushed to the point of its actual limits. For a cruiser/daily that has some mumbo I reckon its about as good as it gets for the $$

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by csv8

My comment : but Ford cann't keep the XR8 in production????? If Chrysler can see the need for an Australia only V8 ? why cann't Ford/Holden ??? limited build for one country is to be commended....

Its nothing but a engine install, its not being built here and its not a ground up design just for one country. Other then that, it's probably not even worth trying to expain...

[MercurySilver]

rhd challenger?!

while i drool at the prospect im guessing its way outta my price range

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by fgpsi

Bring us hellcat not some ugly lard **** box

What if it was released with the Hellcat?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Grunter

What if it was released with the Hellcat?

Its still no Tez

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its still no Tez

That seems to be catching on, I think it's gonna stick

[CyberWasp]

Here is your business Plan Chrysler free of Charge.

Ping the 300 off or leave it as a Luxury Cruiser only.
Bring in the SRT8 Chargers and Challengers.
While you are at it bring in the Dodge Ram and Durango.
Now here is the key part.
Enter a 2 car Charger team into the V8 Supercars, and watch the Hemi / Mopar /Charger fans come out of the wood work.
Then and only then do you release a Hellcat Bathurst Edition of the Charger & Challenger around October at the track.
What is wrong with you guys..... Do It !!!!!!!!!

[2011G6E]

Why do we still need protectionist import tariffs and taxes which artificially inflate the price of cars if there's no locally built cars to "protect" after Falcon and Commodore go...?

Our governments ever-ongoing irrational fear of letting people drive brand new LHD cars if they want to doesn't help our tiny market either...it's expensive to specially build a car for a market as small as ours.

[Bossxr8]

There is no import duty on US made cars, so that's irrelevant.

It's really only Euro cars that have the 5% tariff now as most of the other stuff comes from countries that have FTA's with us.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Why do we still need protectionist import tariffs and taxes which artificially inflate the price of cars if there's no locally built cars to "protect" after Falcon and Commodore go...?

Our governments ever-ongoing irrational fear of letting people drive brand new LHD cars if they want to doesn't help our tiny market either...it's expensive to specially build a car for a market as small as ours.

Now they will want to protect the local distributors. That's not what they will tell you, they will say it's to meet ADR and it's for your own protection and your own good. Some people will even believe the sales pitch.

[apolloxbgt]

These are getting the 8 speed zf like the jeep too aren't they?

[csv8]

Originally Posted by apolloxbgt

These are getting the 8 speed zf like the jeep too aren't they?

Yes it is getting the 8 speed..

[apolloxbgt]

That will be a game changer.

[danzvtil]

I wouldn't get too excited about this news, all they are doing is a simple model variant of a car hey still build plenty of.

[eb2fairmont]

I say good on ya Chrysler.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I wouldn't get too excited about this news, all they are doing is a simple model variant of a car hey still build plenty of.

Which in all likelihood will be the only affordable v8 sedan on the market come 2017.

Simple or not, they will sell.

[WHYME]

Interesting...

[mik]

Although they are different beasties, the big chyrsler won't have the v8 market all to itself, the mustang I assume will be on the market by the time the big cruiser gets here?

[chookaradley]

Hell of a thing for Chrysler to do. Whilst most manufacturers pay lip service to the Australian car market, Chrysler not only supply us with a car that is unique to us, but sell it at a reasonable price. Well done 👍

[zilo]

What a marketting flop this one will be.

[Chopped]

390ci in old skool terms, nice.

[uniacidz]

Regardless if it comes out or not and price is ok
Concern would be aftermarket support and pricing of parts.

Nice to have a unique car, but damn the parts, insurance etc may make it not viable

[UKXR8]

So, we could end up in a situation where Holden and Ford fans unite by buying Chyslers in a few years time?

Weird times we are living in..