2003 Dodge SRT-4 - Road Test
The suspension calibration is good, but we'd like to see a bit more rebound damping. Our mountain road pounding explored the limits of the design as much as its calibration. Travel isn't substantial, so excruciating attention to damping goes a long way in finding extra speed and safety margin when driving hard.
Other than those few bits, this car is superb. Fast, fun, even pretty damned good looking. The only question is how many will be made? At the time of our test, no one wanted to spill the production numbers so it's impossible to say how seriously demand will exceed supply. But it seems obvious at this point that it will.
All we know is you can now hit 60 in 5.8 seconds for under 20 grand, haul three passengers in reasonable comfort and scare the bejesus out of WRX drivers in an American economy car. Sign us up.
2003 {{{{{{Dodge SRT-4}}}}}}
| Estimated Price | : | $19,995 |
| Chassis Code | : | PLDS41 |
| ENGINE |
| Engine Code | : | A853 |
| Type | : | Inline four, turbocharged and intercooled, |
| | iron block and aluminum head, structural |
| | | aluminum oil pan |
| Valvetrain | : | DOHC |
| Displacement | : | 2429 cc |
| Bore & Stroke | : | 87.5 mm x 101.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | : | 8.1:1 |
| Manufacturer's claimed HP | : | 215 hp @ 5400 rpm |
| HPas measured at the wheels | : | 223 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Manufacturer's claimed torque | : | 245 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Torque as measured at the wheels | : | 250 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Redline | : | 6000 rpm |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Layout | : | Transverse front-engine, |
| | | front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | : | Five-speed manual |
| Gear Ratios |
| 1 | : | 3.647:1 |
| 2 | : | 2.045:1 |
| 3 | : | 1.367:1 |
| 4 | : | 0.947:1 |
| 5 | : | 0.756:1 |
| Final drive | : | 3.526:1 |
| Differential | : | Open |
| EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS |
| Curb Weight | : | 2,870 lb |
| Weight Distribution F/R | : | 64/36 |
| Overall Length | : | 175.7 in. |
| Wheelbase | : | 105.0 in. |
| Overall Width | : | 67.4 in. |
| Track F/R | : | 57.6 in./57.7 in. |
| Height | : | 56.5 in. |