Driving Today

Chrysler Group’s SRT models have always been well-respected by automotive critics, including those of us here at Driving Today. Now Chrysler has taken the big step of turning SRT into a full-fledged brand, and the newly formed Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand is hitting the road with its first-ever SRT High Performance Tour. Four drivers and four hot vehicles -- the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 -- will visit more than 40 clubs and events in the next four months. Fittingly the tour kicked off at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Mich., and it will end in November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

“We’re excited to take our 2012 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep SRT vehicles directly to our performance fans and loyalists across the country,” says Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of SRT brand at Chrysler Group LLC. “Each of these vehicles is loaded with new technologies and content that SRT customers want to fulfill their need for power, performance, contemporary luxury and safety, and maintain each of the vehicle brand’s key design differentiators.”

The tour will be accompanied by a large display trailer filled with video screens of running vehicle footage, SRT-branded merchandise and apparel, and giveaway items for attendees. The team will drive from city to city and be on-hand to answer questions about each of the SRT vehicles. And because this is the age of social media, the drivers will be tweeting live from the road and posting video and images along the way. Fans can follow the SRT brand’s Twitter handle (@driveSRT), and video can be viewed at the brand’s YouTube channel. Oh, and should you want to drive one of these cool cars, various locations will incorporate ride-and-drive opportunities for attendees. An interactive map will be updated regularly with information on the dates and locations of the program.