2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, S and Executive: Up Close
More 2011 New York Auto Show Coverage
In automotive circles, wire-mesh grilles and carbon-fiber interior trim typically represent performance variants, which doesn’t explain why the S (with a standard V-6) has carbon fiber like the SRT8 or why the Executive has a wire-mesh grille. (It’s a nicely executed faux metal; there are matching satin accents on the bumpers and side mirrors, but the grille doesn’t really say “executive” to me.)
What the SRT8 got instead is a high-flow gloss-black grille whose openings form a brick-wall pattern — not real impressive, frankly. The 300 S’ black-chrome grille is the best of the three. It’s hard to get a feel for the SRT8’s overall look, because the show car is white, a baffling decision on Chrysler’s part. No one wants a white SRT8. No white car has ever looked menacing — or, at minimum, no car has ever looked more menacing in white than it would in another color. The dark accents and blacked-out headlight clusters would probably work nicely against black, as the 300 S’ partially darkened reflectors do on gray. Anyone want to fire up Photoshop and fake it?
Two new features in the SRT8 stood out. There are shift paddles on the steering wheel. We can debate the value of such things, but I don’t think anyone would argue with me on the execution: They’re little ears that stick up above the steering-wheel spokes about 1 inch high — not exactly paddles. This design preserves the audio controls Chrysler locates on the backside of the spokes. How many times are you going to change stations when you mean to shift?
