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Lately, Dodge’s SRT division is all about massive automobiles with massive energy, however within the early 2000s, the corporate courted a special form of sports activities automotive purchaser. The Dodge Neon SRT4 – later shortened to only Dodge SRT4 – was a red-hot entry within the budding sport compact section, providing mega thrills for a comparatively low worth.
Regardless of solely being bought from 2003 to 2005, the Neon SRT4 was a success. Dodge solely deliberate to promote about 2,500 examples yearly, however by the point it went out of manufacturing, greater than 25,000 SRT4s discovered houses. The sedan was and is standard with aftermarket tuners, as nicely. Too dangerous in regards to the offended headlight mod, although.
Why is the Dodge SRT4 a future traditional?
Dodge slapped a Mitsubishi turbocharger onto the usual Neon’s 2.4-liter inline-four engine, upping its output to 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed guide was the one transmission supplied, fitted with a Sachs efficiency clutch. The Neon SRT4 had stiffer springs, Tokico shocks, bigger entrance and rear sway bars and 17-inch wheels, behind which Dodge put in 11.0-inch entrance and 10.6-inch rear disc brakes. Customary 205/50-series Michelin summer season tires helped put that energy to the bottom, and impartial assessments claimed 0-to-60-mph occasions of round 5.5 seconds. Not dangerous.
A big rear spoiler, further entrance nostrils and distinctive aspect skirts gave the SRT4 an aggro vibe, and inside, the Neon had particular seats modeled after those Dodge used within the Viper. In fact, we will not assist however chortle at the truth that the SRT4 had energy entrance home windows however guide rears. Value chopping at its best, proper there.
One 12 months after its introduction, Dodge gave the Neon SRT4 a bunch of upgrades, so we lengthen our apologies to anybody who’s nonetheless bummed about getting one of many preliminary 2003s. Bigger gasoline injectors and a recalibrated ECU upped output to 230 hp and 250 lb-ft, and the 2004 SRT4 obtained a limited-slip differential and BF Goodrich ultra-high-performance tires. That is additionally when “Neon” was formally dropped from the title.
What’s the perfect instance of the Dodge SRT4?
Clearly, the unique 215-hp Neon SRT4 is not as fascinating as later fashions, however the true sweetheart of the lineup got here in 2005: the ACR. This model did not supply any extra energy, but it surely got here with 16-inch BBS wheels, 225/45-series tires, a decrease journey peak, adjustable dampers, bigger rear stabilizer bar, stiffer bushings and racing seats. Fewer than 1,200 ACRs have been bought, making them fairly uncommon.
Talking of uncommon, a closing SRT4 Commemorative Version was additionally supplied in 2005, but it surely wasn’t a performance-oriented updo just like the ACR. As a substitute, this variant obtained blue stripes over its white physique, blue accents inside and stainless-steel door plates. Simply 200 have been made, and it even got here with a particular booklet, identical to the Commemorative Version Vipers and Ram SRT10s of the period. For those who’re searching for exclusivity above all, that is positively the SRT4 to get, with low-mileage examples commanding first rate cash. However we would moderately have the ACR for apparent causes.
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Are there any good options to the Dodge SRT4?
Compact sports activities automobiles have been thick on the bottom within the early 2000s, and the Neon SRT4 had some stiff competitors. Within the front-wheel-drive class, rivals included the Ford SVT Focus, Mazdaspeed Protege, Nissan Sentra SE-R and Volkswagen GTI, whereas including all-wheel drive unlocked the superb (and bugeye!) Subaru WRX.
It’s laborious to go unsuitable with any of those, however the Neon SRT4 was significantly particular. As such, it received a lot of high-profile comparability assessments, incomes high honors from publications comparable to Vehicle, Automotive and Driver, Edmunds and Sport Compact Automotive.
Dodge by no means supplied a correct successor to the Neon SRT4, save for the hilarious/horrendous Caliber SRT4 compact crossover/hatchback (possibly you will finally see that highlighted in an analogous article … however possibly not). Now, Dodge efficiency is all about 800-hp Challengers with yellow bumper guards ripping burnouts between stoplights. The Neon SRT4 was a one-and-done period of SRT efficiency that’ll seemingly by no means occur once more.
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