- SRT constructed high-performance autos for Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and different manufacturers
- Father or mother firm Stellantis is bringing it again
Tim Kuniskis all of the sudden has a whole lot of jobs.
That’s a little bit unusual, as he retired final Could. However retirement didn’t work for him. Kuniskis lasted barely six months out of the job market earlier than returning to his function as CEO of Ram.
Yesterday, dad or mum firm Stellantis introduced that Kuniskis will lead all its North American manufacturers. The transfer provides him a voice within the route of Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Maserati along with his function on the truckmaker. And his first act will probably be to carry again an outdated, acquainted identify.
Tim Kuniskis, you see, likes highly effective engines. He’s going to resurrect the Road and Racing Know-how (SRT) division that when constructed high-performance variations of Dodge, Jeep, and Ram autos.
About SRT
- From 1989 to 2021, SRT constructed every little thing from Viper supercars to faster economic system vehicles
The SRT division traces its begin to the launch of the Dodge Viper. Organized in 1989, an inside challenge known as “Workforce Viper” took on a number of names earlier than deciding on SRT.
Between 1989 and 2021, it launched high-performance variations of autos beneath the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep manufacturers.
Assume special-edition Vipers. Assume V10-powered SRT-10 Ram vehicles. Assume Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Assume Dodge Neon SRT-4. OK, perhaps Dodge would slightly you not take into consideration that final one.
The division formally closed in 2021, however its identify nonetheless seems on just a few high-powered merchandise. Dodge used the moniker on its fastest-ever gas-powered muscle automobilethe 1,025-horsepower Challenger SRT Demon 170regardless that the official SRT staff was mothballed on the time.
It additionally graces a number of particular editions of the present Dodge Durango.
What to Count on From SRT
- The corporate hasn’t mentioned a lot, however we anticipate an emphasis on gas-powered vehicles
Stellantis hasn’t mentioned what the brand new/outdated division will work on. However, in a Kuniskis-narrated video, the corporate says it’s hiring engineers to “cease being quiet and get loud once more.”
A press launch says solely that the brand new SRT staff will “will ship autos that push the boundaries of energy, aerodynamics, dealing with and expertise, on each the road and the observe, making certain fanatics get the facility, precision and keenness they anticipate.”
They could be old style gasoline-powered monsters. Kuniskis was reportedly the driving pressure behind the latest determination to carry again the Hemi V8 enginewhich was practically retired late final yr.
Mockingly, the quickest car in Dodge historical past is electrical. The present Challenger Daytona “electrical muscle automobile” will get to 60 mph quicker than even the Demon 170. But it surely has earned, at greatest, a lukewarm reception from the Dodge trustworthy.
In the meantime, a invoice just lately handed by the U.S. Senate would finish all enforcement of mpg requirementstheoretically liberating an automaker to construct high-powered gasoline engines with out concern of fines for his or her air pollution.
