11 Aug 06
The SRT-8 feels more than capable of anything the circuit can throw at it. Body control is good, with roll, pitch and dive well contained. It doesn't feel scalpel sharp, but there's enough of a glint in its eye to make you want to tackle another lap. The engine's ability to hustle out of corners and make short work of the straights is matched by the wonderfully strong and resilient brakes and the slick, quick-shifting automatic transmission.
The weakest point is the steering. For a start you have to grip an almost comically large steering wheel, reminiscent of a mid-70s Mercedes-Benz. Even though the SRT changes include reduced hydraulic assistance, the steering still feels mushy around the straight-ahead position. Lob it into a corner and there's less clarity and more vagueness than you'd hope for. Instead of being able to hold a line confidently through a long, sweeping corner, you find yourself having to make a number of small adjustments to keep repositioning the big saloon where you need it.
It's difficult to pigeonhole the SRT-8. While it has the performance to sit alongside the M5, E 63 and S-Type R, it's nowhere near as nimble and focused as those rivals.
Then there's the question of money. Although it's not as finely honed as the BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar, it's dramatically cheaper, despite being fully laden with luxury and safety goodies. At £39,040 it's £24,455 cheaper than the BMW and £27,505 less than the Mercedes.
It's no replacement for an M5, but for less money than some pretty ordinary family cars, the SRT-8 is a performance car that will put a grin on anyone's face.
