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• New "Heritage Edition" model pays homage to the 1957 Chrysler 300C which was described as the "Beautiful Brute"
• 2006 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition offers luxurious performance, exclusive features and unique heritage badging
• New model is the first Chrysler brand vehicle with SmartBeam ^TM  headlamp technology

The 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 once again earned its place in Ward’s 10 Best Engines. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the HEMI has taken this honor — every year since the reintroduction of the engine in 2003.

"HEMI remains the coolest four-letter word in the auto industry," said Bill Visnic, Senior Technical Editor, Ward’s AutoWorld.  "The bigger-than-life HEMI V-8 once again impressed the Ward's 10 Best Engines judges, just as it continues to resonate with customers by racking up impressive installation rates."

"We are honored to have the HEMI engine continue to be recognized as a modern, efficient engine that gives customers the power that they want," said Bob Lee, Vice President – Powertrain, Chrysler Group.  "We were the first to offer Multi-Displacement System in a modern, large-volume vehicle which will save more than 60-million gallons of fuel each year."

First introduced in the 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, the Chrysler Group HEMI V-8 engine is elegantly simple. It achieves power, fuel economy and emissions goals with a design that is uncomplicated and cost effective. The versatile 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine is now available in the Chrysler 300, Jeep® Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Ram.
 
An even higher performance version of the HEMI engine also powers the Chrysler 300C SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Magnum SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. At the heart of these SRT8 models is a 6.1-liter HEMI engine, which generates more horsepower with more cubic inches, higher compression ratio, faster engine speed and better engine breathing through special cylinder heads and manifolds. The 6.1-liter HEMI engine features strengthened components, including a reinforced engine block, forged steel crankshaft and high-strength connecting rods.

Chrysler Group’s innovative Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is standard equipment with all 5.7-liter HEMI engines in the 2006 Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Ram 1500. Improving fuel economy by as much as 20 percent, MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7-liter HEMI engine is in demand.

Chrysler Group was the first to offer modern, large-volume vehicles in North America with cylinder deactivation — the HEMI-powered 2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum R/T went on sale in the spring of 2004. Chrysler Group was also the first to offer cylinder deactivation in an SUV with the introduction of the 2005 HEMI-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Chrysler Group is now the first to offer MDS in a pickup truck — the 2006 Dodge Ram 1500. MDS is a fuel-saving technology that is here today — customers get the power and capability of the HEMI V-8 that they desire with the fuel economy of a less powerful engine.

Current vehicle-specific take-rates for the HEMI V-8 engine at Chrysler Group are:
 

The 2006 Dodge Challenger concept resurrects another authentic American muscle car for the Dodge brand and continues to build on the success and heritage of the HEMI® engine.

"This concept possesses the heritage and classic forms of the original Dodge Challenger," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Design, Chrysler Group. "However, the ability to use the Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 series architecture as the concept's foundation allowed us to bring a new level of quality and fit-and-finish to a muscle car icon."

Quickest, Most Powerful Jeep® Ever Combines 420-horsepower HEMI® and Four-Wheel Drive

• All-new 2006 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 priced at $39,995
• SRT performance: Zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds, quarter-mile in less than 14 seconds
• Quicker than Porsche Cayenne Turbo, BMW X5

Jeep® announced pricing today for the ultimate performance sport-utility vehicle, the all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Boasting a pair of firsts — the first Jeep-branded Street and Racing Technology (SRT) vehicle and the first four-wheel drive SRT vehicle — the all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is available for $39,995, which includes $675 for destination. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 arrives in showrooms this January.

"The all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 outperforms competitive vehicles that cost twice as much," said Joe Eberhardt, Executive Vice President – Global Sales, Marketing and Service, Chrysler Group. "With the addition of SRT DNA, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 sets a new benchmark, with incredible on-road and all-weather performance. It's the latest example of the SRT credo of offering benchmark performance at the lowest price."

Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI engine producing 420 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, the all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 gets power to the pavement through an SRT-engineered full-time four-wheel-drive system. With a 0–60 mph time of less than five seconds, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is quicker than Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5, and is the second-quickest SRT vehicle, eclipsed only by the 510-horsepower Dodge Viper SRT10.

2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Powertrain
The all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's 6.1-liter HEMI produces 90 more horsepower and 27 percent more power than the 5.7-liter HEMI-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee. To channel that power to the pavement, SRT engineers designed a unique four-wheel-drive system that is capable of handling 420 lb-ft. of torque, yet light enough to contribute to Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's performance characteristics.

A key part of the four-wheel-drive system is the SRT-engineered transfer case, which was developed to be lightweight, yet strong enough to handle the massive torque from the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's powertrain. Other elements of the drive system are an upgraded output shaft, heavy-duty driveshaft and Dana 44 rear differential.

Functional Performance
The all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 features world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking, functional, performance-oriented exterior design and race-inspired interior appointments.

Ride and handling are enhanced with improvements including SRT-tuned dampers, unique sway bars, and specially tailored suspension bushings and spring rates. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) was specially calibrated for the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

The braking system of the all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 includes Brembo four-piston calipers clamping 360 x 32 mm vented rotors in front, and 350 x 26 mm rotors in the rear.

An all-new front fascia reduces lift and drag, and incorporates ducts to direct air to cool the brakes. Side sill extensions create downforce, while a new rear fascia features an aggressive center cutout for 4-inch dual exhaust tips.

Three exterior colors are offered: Bright Silver, Brilliant Black and Inferno Red.

Inside, the all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is equipped with power-adjustable front seats with aggressive bolsters and performance suede inserts. Comprehensive instrumentation is trimmed with blue accents while the center stack, shifter bezel and door-switch bezels are trimmed with a "refined aluminum" finish. The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 interior is offered in Medium Slate.

Available Premium Amenities
Available features on the all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 include:

• Heated, power-adjustable front seats
• Power sunroof with one-touch express open and close
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Rear-seat video system with overhead screen and DVD in center floor console
• DVD-based navigation system with turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio
• UConnect™ with Bluetooth™ technology that recognizes up to seven different Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones and responds to voice commands for hands-free conversations

Street and Racing Technology (SRT)
Formed in 2002, SRT is the industry's leading in-house automotive performance group. SRT creates some of the Chrysler Group's boldest, most distinctive vehicles that deliver benchmark performance at the lowest price.

SRT has created 11 SRT-badged Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep performance vehicles: Dodge SRT4, Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible and Coupe, Dodge Ram SRT10 regular cab and Quad Cab™, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Coupe and Roadster, Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Jeep Brand
The Jeep brand's 60-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2005, the Jeep brand continues to deliver rugged, versatile, innovative 4x4 vehicles with the launch of the all-new 2006 Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. Jeep vehicle sales for 2005 have increased more than 10 percent over 2004. As the brand's lineup expands, Jeep vehicles will continue to be the most capable in their segment.

The all-new 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.