Disbanding the SRT performance engineering division has been quite the controversy over the past few days, but as a whole, it’s not a bad thing. High performance Dodge products will still wear the SRT badge, and the division can now work on more vehicles, with Stellantis representing a full 14 brands. But the idea of SRT working on a whole range of vehicles from multiple brands isn’t a new thing, however. Just look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, Ram TRX and upcoming Jeep Wrangler 392, which were all developed with the expertise of SRT, according to a recent social media post by current FCA design boss Ralph Giles.
“While there isn’t any outright SRT badging on them, the latest RAM TRX & 392 Wrangler launching this year were a result of RAM & Jeep calling on those very team members to help and work with the core teams… to great results,” said Giles in the post.
Naturally, the SRT engineering department know the 392 and Hellcat motors that make the Dodge Charger and Challenger what they are today better than anyone else. So, it makes total sense that they were involved with these exciting off-roaders. The Ram TRX and Jeep Wrangler 392 are some of the greatest performance vehicles FCA have ever put out, they just happen to focus that performance off-road.
“By being integrated into the core teams, the passionate & brilliant engineers behind the current SRT products will certainly influence the performance aspects of a broader spectrum of products,” said Giles.
These statements by Ralph Giles bolster the idea that disbanding SRT isn’t a bad thing, and it’s giving them more flexibility to decide what products get the performance treatment. It could also have the benefit of just making everyday products in the Stellantis and FCA portfolio better to drive.
What SRT engineered vehicles would you like to see out of the decision, outside of the typical Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars and performance off-roaders like the Ram TRX and Jeep Wrangler 392? Dream away, and let us know in the comments below what you’d like to see SRT get their hands on next.
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I’d like a Power Wagon with the 392 tuned by SRT.
How about a Fiat 500… meaning 500 Horsepower!!!!
Instead of the Peugeot 308… how about the 392?
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