- There will be no 2011 Chrysler 300C SRT8 or 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler confirmed on Thursday.
- The only SRT8 product for the new model year will be the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392.
- Chrysler said it wanted to "attack the meat of the market" with the new strategy.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Saying it intends to focus on the "meat of the market," Chrysler on Thursday confirmed for Inside Line that it is shrinking its high-performance SRT8 lineup to a single model. The Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8 — at one time crown jewels in the lineup — have been deleted.
"Based on our launch cadence, we wanted to attack the meat of the market," said Jiyan Cadiz, Chrysler spokesman, in a phone conversation with Inside Line on Thursday. "(The SRT8 models) traditionally have been the most expensive (in the lineup)."
Chrysler sold 1,850 300C SRT8 vehicles and 688 Dodge Charger SRT8 vehicles in 2010.
The 2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8 started at $45,615, including a $750 destination charge. For the 2011 model year, the top-of-the-line 300 model will be the 300C AWD, which starts at $41,145, including an $825 destination charge.
Chrysler made the 2011 300 series pricing announcement on Thursday, noting that the lineup will feature just four models: the Chrysler 300, 300 Limited, 300C and 300C AWD. Also deleted for 2011 is the Chrysler 300 S, a midrange model. The base 2011 Chrysler 300 starts at $27,995, including destination. The base 2010 Chrysler 300 started at $28,010.
The 470-horsepower 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 is now the only SRT8 model offered by the automaker. It starts at $45,080, including shipping and a gas-guzzler tax.
The SRT acronym stands for Street and Racing Technology.
Inside Line says: That 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 may become a real collector's item, given the fate of the rest of the SRT8 lineup. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
1959jobrated says:
08:25 AM, 01/26/2011
This move hopefully will free up some capital which will enable the focus on the challenger as a [1] one super car stable. These times don't warrant such multible selection of semi prefromance cars. Take a look at the Ford and Chevy products. One vehicle to focus on. So lets get the Challenger SRT some ponies from the factory stable. Where's the Viper funds, and personel? "GET EM"
benjaming05 says:
07:56 PM, 01/10/2011
with out and SRT-8 charger or 300 the is no reason to buy either! and the challenger SRT-8 is more expensive than equivlent camaro or mustang. I know thay said for 2011. will ther be for a 2012 year?? maybe too late, I have heard rumors of a Chevelle SS model and the 500+ Z28 should be out also. So Srt-8's maybe at the back of the classes.
dgmail says:
07:33 AM, 01/09/2011
This is a joke. Go on Allpar.com. There is already a plan for an new SRT 8 version of the Charger, 300, and GC.
Leave it to a Edmunds forum full of import owning, domestic bashers to "dis" on American brands.
As a former Honda Odyssey owner that had two transmissions replaced and many many electrical problems. I would know first hand, Japanese quality. Don't even get me started on Toyota branded Garbage.
lions208487 says:
10:08 AM, 01/07/2011
Of course this is the right move. A performance vehicle with poor MPG that is owned by a few is a better option in limited numbers in order to maintain a profit. the 5.7 Liter V8 that Chrystler offers is still better then most other manufacturers, and is priced where you do not need BMW money to own it. As far as reliability Chrystler is mid pack, but they are improving. Look at Mercedes, Audi, and BMW and notice that they have been at or near the bottom the last couple of years. As soon as Chrystler ditches the 5 speed sluch box for the dual clutch auto they will be climbing even further up the reliability ladder. GM makes several models that are average or above average, and Ford has topped most Toyota Models. BMW's and Audi may be fun to drive, but not everyone can maintain them.
srt4evah says:
10:03 AM, 01/07/2011
Lol, I always love reading Anita's clueless blog posts. Do some reporting for a change, Anita! Haha!
The SRT-8 lineup will consist of the Challenger 392 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee for 2011 the model year, anyone could find that out in 10 seconds just by Googling it.
And the notion that the Charger and 300C SRT-8 models skipping a model year is "deleting them" or implying that the Challenger 392 is possibly the last SRT-8 is equally boneheaded. Another few minutes of researching and you'd see that Ralph Gilles himself said they're taking a year off for the SRT-8's on the Charger and 300C, but they'll be returning in 2012.
Pathetic really, but Anita's had an ax to grind with Chrysler for a long long time, been watching this sillyness for many years.
lostboyz says:
09:01 AM, 01/07/2011
@tlace, if you were running a rental car agency, wouldn't you care about reliability and service schedules? Them not caring is one of the dumbest comments I have ever heard.
stress83 says:
08:47 AM, 01/07/2011
Blog comments like these remind me why we need the use of smilies. Facepalm would work in this case.
wikiwiki says:
08:36 AM, 01/07/2011
Ha ha
tlace says:
03:51 AM, 01/07/2011
Quote:
Chryslers are for the service industry workers and blue collars who cant quite qualify for MB or BMWs loans.The 300 is favourite among ghetto dwellers who will put chrome 21s and imagine their driving a Bentley (LOL).
Most domestic brands are the bunghole of the auto industry. End Quote:
The Chrysler brand is just cheaper period and provides a "non-economy car" look that you cant not get with a Japanese brand of similar price, even though the japanese brand would probably be a better choice of vehicle. That is why they are sought after by lower income citizens of that type. MB reliability is absolute crap, BMW is above average. Ford vehicles are quite good now, their reliability on par with LEXUS. They have many good offerings and some "Best in Class OVERALL" vehicles too. I would not hesitate to buy any Ford. Very few GM vehicles are good, very few Chrysler vehicles are good.
tlace says:
03:43 AM, 01/07/2011
Quote:
"best in class is a term used towards specific features, like best in class fuel economy, best in class horsepower, etc.
Chrysler invented the segment, they made 46% of US minivan sales last year, so I would say it had best in class sales" End Quote:
There is also such thing as "Best in Class Overall" as in, if you had a comparison test between all minivans currently sold, Honda and Toyota would be "Best in Class"
As to the sales success of the T & C/ GC, my only conclusion as to why they have 46% of the market is fleet sales to rental companies and thats because they are the cheapest. They do no care about quality or reliability too much, plus they know customers are just not going to care about whatever they rent anyways. You very rarely see an Oddyssey or Sienna as a rental. I live near the airport and there is this over-pass that goes over this rental car place and you can see this HUGE parking lot filled with T&C, Sebrings, 300's, Grand Cherokees, Compass's ect...