Chrysler releases 300 SRT Pacer
Weeks after the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer tribute was announced in November, the production version was confirmed.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the original Pacer, which was released on the VF Valiant platform in 1969, the modern 300 SRT Pacer is limited to just 50 units.
Design details that pay homage to the original include ‘Pacer 392’ decals on the front guards and bootlid, with the number referring to the displacement of the 6.4-litre V8 engine in cubic inches. A black and red bootlid stripe, black and red bodyside striping that reinforces the 300 SRT’s Hemi V8 engine also features, while a custom build plate in the engine bay is individually numbered and unique to each vehicle.
Inside, Pacer 392-branded sills and Pacer-labelled floor mats feature, with special-edition badging on the centre console also showing the individual build number.
The 300 SRT Pacer will be offered in three colours - Bright White, Gloss Black and Ceramic Grey – but no specific number limit has been applied to any colour. Regardless of colour choice, the Pacer also gets a contrasting red lower bumper decal with subtle Pacer identification, inspired by the black-and-red grille of the original Pacer.
Red Brembo brake calipers, gloss black wheels, black window trims and black mirror caps are common across all three colour options.
Each 300 SRT Pacer purchaser will receive a limited-edition framed tribute print and Pacer keyring. The print features an image of an original Valiant Pacer and the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer tribute in front of the former Chrysler Factory in the Adelaide suburb of Ashwood. Each print also includes the individual build number of the corresponding vehicle.
“Marking the 50th Anniversary of the much loved Valiant Pacer, we’re excited to celebrate such a milestone with this limited edition car – a revival of the Pacer nameplate for Australian motoring enthusiasts,” said Guillaume Drelon, Director of Product, Chrysler Australia.
“This is truly a modern take on an Australian classic and we’re excited to bring the Pacer back in this exclusive run of fantastic looking vehicles.”
Mechanically, the Pacer is unchanged from the 300 SRT it’s based on, meaning a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering 350kW and 637Nm.
With the V8 Commodore and Falcon gone from new car showrooms for the better part of two years now, Chrysler are making much of the 300 SRT being the last affordable rear-wheel drive V8 sedan available in Australia. And despite some fears that the Pacer may mark a farewell for the 300 SRT in Australia, Chrysler Australia have reportedly denied the model will be discontinued – at least in the near future.
Released in December, the Chrysler 300 SRT Pacer is priced from $69,950 (excl. ORCs), placing it between the down-spec’d $65,950 300 SRT Core and the premium $74,950 300 SRT.
See your Chrysler dealer for availability and further details.
