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The 5.9-second 2003 Dodge SRT-4 - - a Sweet Place to Start for Enthusiasts or Everyday Drivers
Los Angeles - - With the ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds, the 2003 Dodge SRT-4 will be the quickest car in the Dodge brand lineup except for the Dodge Viper, of course.
The Dodge SRT-4 offers the most "as delivered" performance for the dollar of any other production sport compact car available in the United States, foreign or domestic. With more than 200 horses under the hood, it will be one of the most powerful four-cylinder cars on the market. To go with all that horsepower, SRT-4 also features an improved cooling system and high-flow fuel system. Like the Dodge Viper SRT-10, the number four in SRT-4 denotes the number of cylinders in the engine, while SRT is an acronym for Street/Road/Track.
The SRT-4 features a 2.4-liter DOHC turbo-boosted 205 horsepower in-line four-cylinder engine that delivers 220 lb.-ft. of torque available from 2000 to 4800 rpm. And the added boost from the turbo is just the beginning.
"One of the great things about the SRT-4 turbo is that enthusiasts will be able to get extra power out of it later through packages available from our Mopar Performance Parts group," said John Fernandez, Director-Performance Vehicle Operations. However, with performance estimates showing the vehicle is capable of 0-60 mph acceleration times of approximately 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 148 mph, Dodge SRT-4 is fast just as it is.
"Dodge SRT-4's performance characteristics put it in a league with vehicles priced at more than $30,000," said Marques McCammon, Program Manager-SRT-4. "SRT-4 offers continuous torque peak from 2000 rpm to 4800 rpm."
Paired with SRT-4's turbo-charged powerplant is a high-performance transaxle that features a heavy duty, five-speed manual NVG T850 transaxle and a muffler-less, dual outlet exhaust system with wider, 2.5-inch polished stainless tips. Adding to the performance capability are a larger diameter throttle body and a high flow intake manifold. New equal-length halfshafts, high capacity clutch and drive plate assemblies and unique engine and transaxle mounts round out the Dodge SRT-4 transmission system.
Blending power and control was made possible by the interaction between the Dodge SRT-4 development team and performance operation engineers who cut their teeth in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing. Some of these weekend racers worked closely with the small vehicle team to make sure that their SCCA engineering experience found its way into Dodge SRT-4. "From the onset, employees from these two groups worked together to create a car that reflects our motorsports heritage, both from grassroots Neon ACR racing and the professional success of our Viper program," said Fernandez.