Your Clubs

In early September, I had the opportunity to interview the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) division of Chrysler Corp. SRT has a solid reputation for creating limited production vehicles with a "Grab Life" attitude and "Burn Rubber" performance. These days, there is usually a hefty premium on exclusivity, as well as the thrill of horsepower and torque. Fortunately, SRT offers something to fit every budget, from the modestly priced Caliber SRT4, all the way up to the king of the hill Viper SRT10.

Although I swore off front-wheel drive vehicles after owning a certain 2003 model, I was curious to see if the 2008 Caliber SRT4 could change my mind. Would this be the car that dispelled my theory of "there's no replacement for cubic inch displacement"? I had seven days to find the answers to that, and many other questions I had about a car that hasn't hit showroom floors as of yet.

The SRT4 arrived in my driveway early on a Friday morning. At first glance, I was surprised by how furious this little car looked. Dressed in monochromatic Bright Silver Metallic paint, the menacing appearance of the SRT4 was further emphasized with 19" five spoke wheels, and a unique three-vent hood with a striking resemblance to the one found on the Dodge Viper. Examining the front of the car, the large opening in the fascia revealed a glimpse of the oversized intercooler, another of many clues that this little beast is most likely fierce on demand. 

I was expecting to find a cost effective "performance-car-meets-econobox" interior when I opened the driver's door. I was pleasantly surprised by chrome bezel accents surrounding the white-faced gauges, brushed aluminum pedal covers, and a tasteful grey console bezel which provided a nice contrast to the black interior. The shifter boot is made of leather, and the lined pattern matches that of the leather used on the upper portion of the steering wheel. The air conditioned glove box has three separate compartments, with plenty of room for anything from pens and soda pop to compact discs and car magazines. 

The seats in the SRT4 deserve a paragraph of their own. Trimmed in luxurious leather with cloth inserts, these seats did a whole lot more than just look good. The bolsters offered firmness in all the right places, and provided such comfort that I would have been happy just sitting or even sleeping in the driver's seat for the entire week. These are the most comfortable seats I've ever encountered, as they embrace your every curve and contour as though they were tailored around you. The rear seat turned out to be more spacious that I had imagined, and did a great job of giving my three daughters enough personal space to keep them content. 

To state that the controls were within easy reach would be an understatement. This is the first car I've driven in 14 years where everything is so close that you don't even need to bother extending your arm. By no means is the cabin cramped, it's simply designed in such a way that all of the important gadgets are perfectly placed. Once again, another aspect that feels as though it was built around the driver. The Caliber's research and design really pays off in the interior department.

As I turned the key, I closed my eyes and waited for that annoying bumblebee buzz from the exhaust. Strangely enough, the buzz was absent. The exhaust tones weren't at all intrusive, and for once, the growl I did hear sounded more muscular than awkward.