SRT Brand Takes Their 2012 High-Performance Vehicle Lineup Across the Country for the Second Annual 'SRT Tour'

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chrysler Group LLC's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand is hitting the road with its second annual "SRT Tour" featuring the entire 2012 vehicle lineup – including the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 – visiting more than 30 locations over the next three months.

The SRT Tour kicks off July 6 at Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, Pa., and will end in late September at the Viper Owner Invitational in Charlotte, N.C.

"For the second summer in a row, we'll be taking our SRT vehicles directly to thousands of performance fans and loyalists across the country," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Building off the success we had last summer, the SRT Tour generates a lot of excitement at each of the stops. We get to proudly share our entire 2012 lineup and meet enthusiasts who enjoy getting up close to our SRT vehicles while talking about all the power, performance, luxury and safety features."

Four full-time drivers will travel from city to city and be on-hand to answer questions about each of the SRT vehicles. A large display trailer filled with giveaway items and portable video screens will be towed by the Grand Cherokee SRT8 and set up at each stop along the way.

The four drivers include: John "Hammer" Palazzolo, Jennifer Schneidua, Sean Yoder and Rachel Miller.

Palazzolo is this year's tour veteran, having led last year's event. He brings years of experience with him as lead facilitator on the SRT Track Experience, the face of SRT videos on driveSRT.com and co-driver of the SRT factory entry, which won its class in this year's Tire Rack One Lap of America.

Schneidau has been involved in an exotic-vehicle driving program, helping guests get behind the wheel of some of Europe's most influential supercars.

Yoder spends his days working on advanced motorsport simulators, and drives autocrosses and road races. He joined the SRT Track Experience team this year.

Miller has been part of the SRT Track Experience team for several years. A former journalist, she also has worked in motorsports marketing and social media.

The drivers will be tweeting live from the road, and posting video and images throughout the tour. Fans can follow the SRT brand's Twitter handle (@driveSRT) and video can be viewed at the brand's YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/DriveSRT).

An interactive map (http://www.drivesrt.com/tour/) will be updated regularly with information on the dates and locations of the program. Various locations will incorporate ride-and-drive opportunities for attendees.

SRT fans and enthusiasts will be able to follow the entire tour at the brand's website (www.driveSRT.com) and on the SRT Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/driveSRT).

Tour dates include:

July
6-8: Chryslers of Carlisle, Carlisle, Pa.
13-15: NASA Track Day at Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pa.
17: Wauseon Super Cruise, Wauseon, Ohio
20-21: LX and Beyond, Salem, Ohio
22: Rock and Roll Marathon, Chicago
28: Mopars at the Red Barns, Hickory Corners, Mich.
29: Concours of America, Plymouth, Mich.

August and September schedules are still being finalized. Fans should check www.driveSRT.com often for updates.

About 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8
The success of the modern Chrysler 300 launched in 2005 can be attributed to its broad appeal. People of all ages, incomes and lifestyles were attracted to the sedan's dramatic styling, power and performance.

As the king of the Chrysler Brand E-segment lineup, the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 adds high-performance hardware to the elegant proportions and head turning design to provide the ultimate combination of world-class luxury, power and handling. With 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the new 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8, the 300 SRT8 is targeted at customers that seek heart pounding, adrenaline filled excitement, but don't want to sacrifice comfort and innovative features to get it.

Performance numbers for the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter-mile in the high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds; top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

About the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
For 2012, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 adds even more high-tech performance features to solidify its place as the brand's ultimate modern American rear-wheel-drive muscle coupe. With 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8, the balanced performance approach of the Challenger SRT8 392 provides outstanding straight-line acceleration, world-class ride and handling, high-performance braking and the most up-to-date technologies that deliver more driver excitement and control. And it still gets up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 accelerates from 0-60 mph in the high 4-second range; runs the quarter-mile in mid-12-second range with the automatic transmission (high 12-second range with the manual); goes from 0-100-0 mph in the low 15s, reaches a top speed of 182 mph with the manual transmission (175 mph with the automatic) and stops from 60-0 mph in just 117 feet.

About the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8
The Dodge Charger SRT8 makes a return to the performance car market in 2012 bringing intelligent performance features and more power to the brand's iconic four-door fastback coupe.

New for the 2012 Charger SRT8 is the 470 horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 that features 45 more horsepower and 50 more lb.-ft. of torque (up to 470 horsepower/470 lb.-ft. of torque) across a significantly wider rpm range, new exhaust system technology for improved fuel efficiency, along with new paddle shift technology and adaptive damping suspension for optimal driver control.

Performance numbers for the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter-mile in the high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds; top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

About 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
The most powerful, technologically advanced, high-performance Jeep vehicle ever – the all-new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 – delivers a combination of Jeep brand's legendary capability and utility, merged with the renowned advanced performance engineering from SRT.

Delivering outstanding driving performance in all conditions, and complemented by key SRT attributes – including functional, performance-oriented styling, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking and race-inspired interior appointments – the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 broadens the Jeep vehicle lineup and builds upon the successful launch of the award-winning 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 in the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 delivers 470 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque – an improvement of 50 horsepower and 45 lb.-ft. torque over the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces. Performance includes 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, quarter-mile in the mid-13 second range, top speed of 160 mph, and braking power from 60-0 mph in 116 feet.

About SRT
The Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.

The expansion of the SRT vehicle lineup in the 2012 model year features four new products that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. These products include the Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Making its highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market in late 2012 is the new 2013 SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS. The SRT flagship performance machines arrive with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts.

Follow SRT and Chrysler Group news and video on:
SRT site: http://drivesrt.com
Chrysler media site: http://media.chrysler.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm
Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC