| Step back in time some fifty years ago | | | | eventually dropped, DaimlerChrysler |
| and you would see that the American | | | | decided to expand the SRT line up to |
| automotive market was much different | | | | include certain vehicles sporting Dodge, |
| than it is today. Three companies | | | | Jeep and Chrysler nameplates. |
| dominated the scene: GM, Ford, and | | | | So, what qualifies a vehicle to wear the |
| Chrysler with the newly formed American | | | | SRT designation? Several things |
| Motors making up the bulk of the sales. | | | | including: |
| Volkswagen was new to the U.S. market | | | | --Potent engines. Only the most powerful |
| with its legendary Beetle while Toyota | | | | engines are reserved for SRT vehicles. |
| was still a few years away from | | | | While some are normally aspirated, many |
| marketing its very first cars. Although | | | | have been turbocharged or supercharged |
| the term "muscle car" wasn't used until | | | | to beef up horsepower. |
| the 1960s, a series of "Hemi powered" | | | | --Responsive handling. Relying heavily |
| vehicles from the Chrysler Corporation | | | | on its Mercedes connection, the SRT team |
| began to hit the streets. These | | | | employs state of the art steering and |
| particular models influenced this unique | | | | suspension systems in every model. Add |
| segment for several years until market | | | | in more powerful brakes and you have a |
| changes in the early 1970s effectively | | | | vehicle that masters every turn and |
| eliminated that category. Today, muscle | | | | stops on a dime every time. |
| cars are back and the Chrysler Group is | | | | --Bold styling. No ordinary vehicle is |
| leading the way with its expansive line | | | | eligible for the SRT treatment as |
| up of SRT vehicles. Although consumer | | | | massive aluminum wheels, front and rear |
| tastes have changed as has the overall | | | | spoilers, and bold air intakes are |
| automotive market, Chrysler's SRT family | | | | included to enhance performance. On the |
| of vehicles remains a popular choice for | | | | inside, race inspired aluminum pedals |
| performance enthusiasts everywhere. Read | | | | and sports car derived seating gives SRT |
| on and we'll explore the vehicles that | | | | drivers a true performance feel to match |
| are shaping the new muscle car era. | | | | the energy brimming underneath every |
| Several years before Daimler-Benz and | | | | hood. |
| the Chrysler Corporation merged to form | | | | Currently, the SRT line up includes the |
| DaimlerChrysler, a team of Chrysler | | | | following models with more vehicles |
| employees was tasked to invigorate the | | | | expected to receive that designation: |
| automaker's line up with bold and | | | | Dodge: Ram SRT10 Quad Cab; Ram SRT10 |
| exciting models. The first vehicle | | | | Regular Cab; Viper SRT10 Coupe; Viper |
| produced by "Team Viper" was the Dodge | | | | SRT10 Roadster; Charger SRT8; and the |
| Viper, Mopar's answer to the Chevy | | | | Magnum SRT8. |
| Corvette; a few years later it was | | | | Chrysler: 300C SRT8; Crossfire SRT6 |
| followed by the Plymouth Prowler, a | | | | Coupe; and Crossfire SRT6 Roadster. |
| limited production retro-style roadster | | | | Jeep: Grand Cherokee SRT8. |
| produced by a parallel group, "Team | | | | Much like the muscle car era of long |
| Prowler". Clearly, Chrysler was | | | | ago, SRT enthusiasts are beefing up |
| attempting to erase its uninspiring | | | | their already potent vehicles with nifty |
| K-car image with the production of these | | | | aftermarket parts and supplies including |
| two models and although production was | | | | supercharger systems, exhaust headers, |
| very limited, the vehicles managed to | | | | cat-back exhaust systems, cool air |
| positively impact the Dodge and Plymouth | | | | intakes, lowering kits, traction bars, |
| brands. | | | | and more. Popular aftermarket |
| Team Viper and Team Prowler later merged | | | | performance suppliers are matching the |
| operations to become SRT - Street and | | | | introduction of every SRT model with new |
| Racing Technology - a high performance | | | | products of their own. Definitely, the |
| automotive group that is part of the | | | | SRT crowd is a unique group of |
| Chrysler Group at DaimlerChrysler. | | | | automotive enthusiasts who simply won't |
| Although the Plymouth brand was | | | | settle for the status quo. |