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Neon SRT is Taking it to the Streets

7 January 2000

Neon SRT is Taking it to the Streets

    LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6 -- When the next-generation Neon was
introduced last year, it was hailed as a more sophisticated and refined
compact car.  Now, it's modified and supercharged too and the result is the
sport compact concept known as Neon SRT.
    The Dodge Neon SRT concept is the most powerful Neon ever, with a
supercharged, 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine that generates more than 200
horsepower, and shows how much potential Neon has in what has become a
white-hot trend -- the customization of compact cars.
    This craze emerged about five years ago in Southern California, tore
through the South, is blossoming on the East Coast and making inroads to the
Midwest.  "Neon is a natural choice for these types of modifications," said
Jim Julow, Vice President -- Dodge Car and Truck Division.  "The Neon SRT
concept is intended to stimulate the imagination of 18- to 25-year-old drivers
as to what they could do with the right accessories if they owned the Neon."
    Neon SRT has a boldly styled front fascia, projector-beam fog lamps, a
hood air scoop and an imposing rear spoiler.  Its 2.0-liter, SOHC, four-
cylinder engine has 208 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque.  By
comparison, the production Neon has 132 horsepower, which is still best-in-
class among similar sedans.
    In addition, SRT is 1.5 inches lower than the production Neon.  It has
four-wheel independent suspension with Eibach custom springs, Tokico
performance-tuned struts, heavy-duty front and rear sway bars, racing tires
and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
    A sound-system sounding more like a concert hall than a compact car is
made up of an Alpine in-dash compact disc changer/cassette/receiver/sound
field processor operated through Precision Power 400 and Precision 1800
amplifiers and four JBL two-way speakers.  The system is rounded out with two
Infinity 12-inch subwoofers.
    "The SRT is sensory overload in sight, sound and power," said Marques
McCammon, Neon SRT program manager.  "We've attempted to generate the same
passion and energy we did with the production Viper, only in a compact car."
    McCammon's partner in the eight-month project, Eric Stoddard, of the
DaimlerChrysler Design Studio, agrees.  Stoddard did the exterior
styling on SRT as well as interior and exterior material and color selection.
    "This love of performance and cars isn't new but the potential in this
growing performance movement is staggering," Stoddard said.  "The Dodge Neon
SRT will make an impact in this market by really illustrating the full
potential of the production Neon."
    No stranger to sports car enthusiasts who love the uncommon combination of
performance and affordability, the Neon quickly found a second home on the
racetracks of America after its introduction in 1994.  Neon became the "pocket
rocket" of choice among grassroots racers due to its sporty, quick and fun-to-
drive attributes.
    The idea of a special edition Neon took shape in the winner's circle of
the SCCA Class C Showroom Stock class events after three consecutive National
titles were won from 1995 to 1997.  Dodge capitalized on this interest by
producing a special-edition Neon R/T in 1998 and 1999 that featured many of
the same championship hardware.