Fans of muscly petrol V8s under $70,000 are spoilt for choice in Australia. But they wonâ€[TM]t be for much longer â€" and thatâ€[TM]s why Chrysler is licking its lips.
With Holden and Fordâ€[TM]s local production on the way out, the US brandâ€[TM]s impressively revamped 300 SRT will soon be part of a new brigade of muscle, along with the incoming Ford Mustang and whatever brute General Motors chooses to bring to our shores.
You could call it Chryslerâ€[TM]s long game, which began with 1960s headturners at Bathurst.
I had quite a time with the 300 SRT beastie, far from home on the outback roads around Wagga Wagga.
The surfaces were rough and the heavens black before unleashing a pelting.
And to test the big rear- wheel-drive sedanâ€[TM]s track features, including launch control, I also had the use of the airstrip at Temora.
Itâ€[TM]s a sacred and historic site, the scene of initial training of more than 2500 pilots in Gypsy Moths during World War II.
A hangar houses a fascinating collection of historic military planes.
But back to the land-based machine. The SRT packs a whopping 6.4-litre V8 engine in both spec levels, the $59,000 Core and $69,000 Premium.
Also shared are four-pot Brembo brakes all round, a rear mechanical limited-slip differential, 20-inch wheels, performance tyres and a lip spoiler.
Common in the race-inspired interiors are an 8.4-inch infotainmentrace-data screen plus a 7-inch trip-info display, both in colour.
The Core, which has firmer yet still compliant suspension, is aimed at the performance- focused buyer on a stricter budget.
The Premium is edgy, too, but has the ambience and accoutrements of a luxury tourer.
Its differences include polished aluminium wheels, rather than black aluminium, and an adaptive suspension which underpins a superlative ride quality.
The Premium also adds leather-and-Alcantara seats, fabulous 19-speaker Harman-Kardon hi-fi, sat nav and myriad smarty-pants driving aids.
Drift out of your lane and the Premium will autonomously correct. Back out blindly at a shopping centre and itâ€[TM]ll warn of cross traffic. Start to change lanes when itâ€[TM]s unwise and itâ€[TM]ll urge you to abort. The high beam knows when to turn on and off.
I could go on.
Both models have multiple personalities.
Dialling up Street, Sport or Track mode influences the steering sharpness, transmission mapping, throttle response, exhaust-valve openings, traction-control intervention and, in the Premium, damper firmness.
Even more involving is Custom mode, in which individual elements can be selected.
So, on the road, itâ€[TM]s a car that can be smooth and quiet right through to sharp and growly.
For trackies, the car can display and keep performance data such as 0-100kmh times, lap times and G-forces.
The launch controlâ€[TM]s rpm is, handily, adjustable; on a soppy Temora runway, about 2000rpm provided the best lift-off.
I was out there having a play, much less serious business than that of the blokes in the Gypsy Moths.
One day, somewhere in Australia, someone will set up a shed that reflects an aspect of Australian civilian life, 1967-2017.
Itâ€[TM]ll be full of V8s.
But thereâ€[TM]s plenty of life left in the SRT, a car with commanding presence on the street and exhilarating performance at the track.
 CHRYSLER 300 SRT  
Price  Core $59,000; Premium $69,000
Engine  6.4-litre petrol V8
Outputs  350kW637Nm
Transmission  Eight-speed auto
Thirst  13L100km