Dodge SRT-4 - History

History

The original concept Neon SRT was a 2.0 L 16-valve four-cylinder topped with a 45-cubic-inch Eaton supercharger, which produced 208 hp (155 kW) and 180 lb·ft (240 N·m) of torque at the flywheel on 11 psi (0.76 bar) of boost. (Sport Compact Car magazine tested the car in the Feb. 2001 issue and dynoed 179 hp (133 kW) and 149 lb·ft (202 N·m) torque at the wheels.)

The production SRT-4 was introduced in 2003. At the time, the car was the second fastest stock production vehicle in the Dodge lineup, second only to the Viper. Built in Belvidere, Illinois with 84% US content, the SRT-4's entire powertrain (engine and transmission), suspension, braking system, exhaust, wheels, tires, and a small portion of the interior were upgraded from the base model Neon. On the outside, the SRT-4 also featured a unique front fascia and hood, featuring a functional hood scoop. The car also featured side skirts, a unique rear fascia, large rear wing, and model-specific 17x6 inch wheels.

Under the hood was a turbocharged 2.4 L inline-4 gasoline engine. This engine was nearly identical to the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT (A855 engine), though the SRT-4 version (A853 engine) did not have the unique intake manifold required to package the engine in the compact PT Cruiser engine bay. The SRT-4 used a New Venture Gear T-850 five-speed manual transmission (based on the unit from the European turbodiesel minivans), equal-length half shafts, and a high-capacity Sachs performance clutch. The suspension used stiffer springs, SRT tuned Tokico struts (with travel reduced to provide clearance for the large wheels), larger sway bars front and rear, a unique steering gear, PT Cruiser steering knuckles, and a unique K-member. 11.0 in (280 mm) vented disc brakes (with extra-thick rotors to prevent warping) were used in front, with 10.6 in (270 mm) non-vented discs in the rear.

Inside, the front seats featured enhanced lumbar and lateral support for performance driving, and a faux carbon fiber steering wheel, shift boot, and satin silver "cue ball" shift knob were used. The gauges had special SRT faces and silver rings matching those on the climate controls. An Auto-Meter brand boost gauge was used as well. The front windows were power operated, while the rear windows were manual.

The 2004 model was updated with more power and torque, a torque-sensing Quaife limited-slip differential, larger fuel injectors, BF Goodrich KDW2 three-season ultra-high-performance tires, newer engine management hardware, and paint and trim changes. 2005 also featured new colors and the return of the American Club Racer (ACR) edition. The ACR package included wider 16"x7" BBS RX lightweight racing wheels with wider 225/45R16 B.F. Goodrich KDW2 tires, 5-position adjustable Tokico Illumina shock absorbers (with full travel restored), a thicker rear sway bar, front seats with pass-through slots for racing harnesses, increased allowable front camber adjustment, and ACR logos on the exterior and embroidered on the front seats. The struts on the ACR also used common spring seat height locations as a base Neon, which lowered the front 10 mm (0.39 in) and the rear 23.5 mm (0.93 in) from a base SRT-4. A limited edition and numbered 2005 SRT-4 Commemorative Edition appearance package (in white with blue "Viper stripes") was also offered, but not with the ACR package.

With the demise of the PL platform after model year 2005, the SRT-4 ceased production. In 2008 Dodge introduced the Caliber SRT-4 as a replacement.