Video: 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

The SRT8 is the most powerful version of the sedan offered, has 474 horsepower It's not something you need, but at $50,000, it better be something you want. When you talk about an SRT from Chrysler in a big sedan like this, you're really talking about the engine. It's got a 6.4 liter V8 with 470 horsepower, 470 pound feet of torque. Both those numbers are up significantly versus the outgoing model and it gets zero to 60 and under five seconds. The 300 was redesigned last year, but the SRT8 gets some design tweaks of its own this year. Most noticeably, are larger and lower front and rear bumpers, a black grill upfront and these huge 20 inch wheels. There are just a few changes inside the SRT8, but they're big changes. And the biggest are these gigantic seats up front. They have huge side bolsters. They're actually pretty supportive, but over the long haul, after over an hour driving, my back does get a little uncomfortable. However, check out this two-tone interior. It's really cool. You had the red, not only in the seats, but also in the doors. And then there's this carbon fiber trim everywhere. All those features are nice, but you're probably wondering how does this car drive? With all this performance, you might think it's a performance car, but it's really not. This is what I would call a true muscle car because it really excels in a straight line. You don't want to corner too much because it's such a heavy vehicle. It's not going to perform in that way. But if you just want to leave a stoplight really fast, mash the accelerator down, this is a great car. And of course, you don't get all this power without the trade-off in mileage. The SRT8 only gets 14 miles per gallon city, 23 highway. That means you get a gas bills or taxes a thousand dollars. And I've driven this for over a week in all kinds of different conditions, I never got better than 16 miles per gallon. Even the backseat will give your passengers the feeling that they're in a sporty sedan. It has the same red leather as the front this nice white stitching. The backseats were actually heated in the SRT8. Now the only problem I have is, the room. Now, while I have plenty of room right now, the seats where I had it when I was driving, I'm 5'10", I'm sure there's a few inches, but for this big a car, I expect a bit roomier backseat. At 16.3 cubic feet, the 300's trunk is plenty big for golf clubs, luggage, groceries, whatever you have. And it's that type of practicality that makes a high performance version of a traditional sedan so attractive. While the improvements under the hood are impressive, I'm more blown away by the styling of the SRT8 for 2012. It's much more understated than the last model. Definitely more so than the Charger version of the SRT8. So, if you want a sleeper at the stoplight, this is it. <v Announcer>For more car related news, go to Cars.com or our blog, Kicking Tires.net.