2003 Dodge SRT-4
Published Oct 11, 2006
0 Ratings
What is it?
2003 Dodge SRT-4
What's special about it?
Dodge claims that the SRT-4 will be the fastest production car under $20,000 when it debuts early in 2003. There's little reason to doubt that as this Neon-based hot rod will hit the streets with a turbocharged 2.4-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder that boasts a healthy 205-horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. With a reported 0-to-60 time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 148 mph, the SRT-4 will be the second-fastest product in the Dodge lineup behind the mighty Viper supercar.
But there's more than just power on the SRT-4's impressive résumé. Standard 17-inch wheels will come wrapped in low-profile 50-series tires, along with retuned strut and spring assemblies, front and rear sway bars, and updated steering knuckles. The standard four-wheel ABS-equipped brakes feature 11-inch rotors and upgraded brake pads that are good for 60-to-0 stopping distances under 120 feet according to Dodge.
If those fact and figures aren't enough to convince you that Dodge is serious about performance, consider this — although the SRT-4 will feature a high-end CD stereo system with six speakers as standard equipment, Dodge engineers vetoed the idea of adding external amplifiers and a subwoofer to further enhance the system. The reason? "...that would have meant adding almost 30 pounds to the vehicle's weight, which would have slowed the car's performance."
The interior is performance oriented, as well. Special sport seats feature additional lumbar and lateral support as well as a new cloth covering textured for improved grip in the corners. Satin-finish metal trim covers the center stack controls and the short-throw shifter's cue ball shift knob for the five-speed transmission, while the gauges get silver faces and silver ring accents. In true street-racer fashion, the SRT-4 includes a turbo boost/vacuum gauge prominently displayed in the dash.
Why should you care?
With so much attention being given to the import tuner scene, you knew it wouldn't be long before the domestic manufacturers starting vying for a piece of the action. With its impressive horsepower numbers and heavily revised suspension, the SRT-4 looks like it could be a serious threat to the Japanese juggernaut. About the only thing more we could have wished for is an earlier introduction date. — Ed Hellwig
2003 Dodge SRT-4
What's special about it?
Dodge claims that the SRT-4 will be the fastest production car under $20,000 when it debuts early in 2003. There's little reason to doubt that as this Neon-based hot rod will hit the streets with a turbocharged 2.4-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder that boasts a healthy 205-horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. With a reported 0-to-60 time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 148 mph, the SRT-4 will be the second-fastest product in the Dodge lineup behind the mighty Viper supercar.
But there's more than just power on the SRT-4's impressive résumé. Standard 17-inch wheels will come wrapped in low-profile 50-series tires, along with retuned strut and spring assemblies, front and rear sway bars, and updated steering knuckles. The standard four-wheel ABS-equipped brakes feature 11-inch rotors and upgraded brake pads that are good for 60-to-0 stopping distances under 120 feet according to Dodge.
If those fact and figures aren't enough to convince you that Dodge is serious about performance, consider this — although the SRT-4 will feature a high-end CD stereo system with six speakers as standard equipment, Dodge engineers vetoed the idea of adding external amplifiers and a subwoofer to further enhance the system. The reason? "...that would have meant adding almost 30 pounds to the vehicle's weight, which would have slowed the car's performance."
The interior is performance oriented, as well. Special sport seats feature additional lumbar and lateral support as well as a new cloth covering textured for improved grip in the corners. Satin-finish metal trim covers the center stack controls and the short-throw shifter's cue ball shift knob for the five-speed transmission, while the gauges get silver faces and silver ring accents. In true street-racer fashion, the SRT-4 includes a turbo boost/vacuum gauge prominently displayed in the dash.
Why should you care?
With so much attention being given to the import tuner scene, you knew it wouldn't be long before the domestic manufacturers starting vying for a piece of the action. With its impressive horsepower numbers and heavily revised suspension, the SRT-4 looks like it could be a serious threat to the Japanese juggernaut. About the only thing more we could have wished for is an earlier introduction date. — Ed Hellwig