2004 DODGE SRT-4 SEDAN

DODGE Brand Reviews:    • VIPER SRT-10    • INTREPID    • NEON    • SRT-4    • STRATUS COUPE    • STRATUS SEDAN    2004 DODGE SRT-4 SEDAN:    Description:    Compact sports sedan    Model options:    SRT-4    Wheelbase:    105.0 inches    Overall length:    175.7 inches    Engine size:    DOHC 2.4-L I4 TI    Transmissions/speeds:    Manual/5 NVG T850    Rear/front drive:     Front    Steering:    Power rack and pinion    Braking:    Power 4-disc/ABS    Air bags:    2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)    EPA mileage est. city/hwy:    19/26 mpg    MSRP    $19,995   Read Feature Story   Read New Car News   Read Brand Reviews   Read Car-Truck Test Reviews   Return to Guide's Homepage

DODGE TRACKS SPORT-TUNED CARS

One outrageous roadster, the exotic Viper SRT-10 packing a huge V10 tuned to 500 hp, sets the pace for all cars badged by the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler, but there's so much more in the 2004 class. Spunky Neon spins off a new turbo-charged performance sedan -- SRT-4 -- sized in the compact class and rigged with street-legal mechanical gear to run in the fast lane. It's so strong that in Dodge's fleet the zero-to-60 time for SRT-4 is topped only by Viper. These performance-tuned Dodges use the tag of SRT, meaning "Street and Racing Technology," as developed by Chrysler Group's Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO). The Intrepid flagship sedan, representing Dodge's NASCAR Winston Cup race car, has a powerful 3.5-liter high-output V6 engine with spoiler on the tail and 16-inch chrome wheels on pavement under a value-priced badge of Intrepid SXT. Dodge's mid-size Stratus sedan, flashing bold new up-front styling, appears in four different trims with suspension tuning varied for each and new optional features available like radio controls pegged on the steering wheel and a traction control system. Stratus the slinky sports coupe shows off some sensuous sheetmetal and offers a V6 charged with 200 hp plus a five-speed manual shifter. And Neon the compact-class sedan continues with three trims as the price-leader SE, value-packaged SXT and a sporty R/T edition with a high-output Magnum four-pack tied to a five-speed manual transaxle.

VIPER SRT-10: A new design for the Viper roadster emerged last year to beat all contenders, thanks to that V10 powertrain that pushes the power curve up to 500 hp plus more than 500 lb-ft of torque. For 2004 editions, bold red brake calipers become standard issue along with a folding tonneau cover, and there's a new body color available in Viper White. A race-ready version also emerges as the Viper Competition Coupe. It has a coupe-shaped body in carbon fiber and Kevlar and a track-ready chassis derived from the SRT-10. Filled with racing gear like a roll cage and six-point restraints, the Competition Coupe is eligible to compete in the Viper Racing League, Grand Am Rolex Series and SCCA Speed World Challenge.

INTREPID: Three models mark the full-size Dodge sedan in 2004 -- entry-issue SE, sport-tuned SXT and deluxe ES. Intrepid SE contains the base engine, a 2.7-liter V6 out of an aluminum block with twin cams on top. Horsepower runs to 200 points. Intrepid ES also carries the 2.7-liter V6 as standard equipment, but offers as an option a 3.5-liter single-cam V6 that generates 232 hp and operates on regular-grade fuel. SXT increases the power quotient by putting aboard a high-output 3.5-liter V6 rated this year at 250 hp, along with the Dodge AutoStick dual-mode automatic shifter. Four-wheel disc brakes and frontal air bags go into all versions, with side-impact air bags and a traction control system (TCS) available.

NEON: Dodge's compact-size sedan trims in three versions -- a base SE, value-packaged SXT and sporty R/T. Neon SE uses a 2.0-liter in-line-four engine with manual or automatic transaxle, 14-inch wheel covers and an audio kit with cassette deck and four speakers. The SXT adds power mirrors and windows, air conditioning, a CD player and six speakers, remote keyless entry and 15-inch aluminum wheels clad with touring tires. Neon R/T sport trim has a high-output 2.0-liter Magnum engine, five-speed manual shifter and twin exhaust piles, plus 16-inch aluminum wheels, a tail spoiler and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Latest paint chip choice for Neon is Midnight Blue.

SRT-4: Dodge's SRT-4 performance sedan, sized in the compact class and fitted with street-legal mechanical gear to run fast and furious, has a turbo-charger and inter-cooler attached to a dual-cam 2.4-liter four-in-line tuned for high output. It's rated up to 230 hp and comes with a heavy-duty five-speed manual shifter and high-capacity clutch. Aggressive styling at the prow reflects cues of street performance machines with a deep fascia etched with multiple air intake ports and cross-hair grille plus a horizontal port carved into the shapely hood. The cockpit has the look of a customized car with gauges rimmed in silver and satin metal trim on door handles and the center stack. The theme continues in the foot well with all three pedals made of cast aluminum with dimple surfaces, while the short-throw stick extending off the console has a cue ball shift knob also in satin silver.

STRATUS COUPE: Engines define the personality of Stratus the coupe. A 2.4-liter four for Stratus SXT makes 147 hp with a manual transmission, or 142 hp with an automatic. More muscle comes from Stratus R/T with the 3.0-liter V6 dispensing 200 hp and keyed to a five-speed manual or the automatic with AutoStick option. New paint choices for 2004 include shades like Light Blue Pearl Coat, Indy Red and Ice Silver Pearl Coat.

STRATUS SEDAN: Stratus as a four-door sedan shows revised front-end styling with the 2004 editions plus fresh appointments in the five-seat cabin. A total of four trims continue with powertrain choices of a thrifty four-cylinder or spirited V6. Stratus SE, the base edition, totes a four-cylinder engine tied to a four-speed automatic transaxle. The 2.4-liter plant with dual overhead cams musters 150 hp. Stratus SXT, also using the four-cylinder plant, rolls on 16-inch painted aluminum wheels with standard equipment aboard like power door locks and power windows, a premium audio package with CD deck and remote keyless entry. Stratus ES, the luxury version, carries a 2.7-liter dual-cam V6 scored to 200 hp while the R/T edition with the same engine tips toward performance with firmer suspension and larger 17-inch aluminum wheels and tires.