Chrysler Group executives to race Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300C SRT8 in Targa Newfoundland

* Chrysler Group executives Ralph Gilles and Dan Knott to race Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300C SRT8 in Renowned Targa Newfoundland

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 19 -- Race-inspired, street-legal American muscle -- specifically the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 and the 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 -- is headed to Newfoundland this September, courtesy of Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) organization. At the wheel of SRT's latest benchmark performance vehicles: Dan Knott, Director - SRT, Chrysler Group; and Ralph Gilles, Director - Interior/Exterior Product Design and Specialty Vehicles, Chrysler Group -- who led the Design team that created the Chrysler 300 and all-new Dodge Charger.

At stake: serious competition in the Unlimited division of the prestigious Targa Newfoundland rally.

The fourth annual Targa Newfoundland -- the only event of its kind held in North America -- is a 38-stage competitive rally for historic, classic and modern sporting cars held on the paved roads of the eastern and central parts of the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Based on the original Targa Florio, which was run in Sicily for many years, Targa Newfoundland -- billed as "the ultimate North American Motorsport Adventure" -- is a six-day competition that begins on Sunday, Sept. 11 in the capital city of St. John's.

"The Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300C SRT8 are modern interpretations of classic American muscle sedans, and the latest in a growing line of SRT vehicles that offer stunning, all-around benchmark performance at a remarkable value," said Knott. "Competing in the Targa Newfoundland rally provides a unique opportunity to showcase SRT's signature racing technology and street- legal performance in true race conditions on more than a thousand miles of world-class, challenging twisty roads."

Formed in 2002, SRT -- the industry's leading in-house automotive performance group -- boasts 10 SRT-badged Chrysler and Dodge performance vehicles, all of which will be in dealer showrooms by year's end: Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible and Coupe, Dodge SRT4, Dodge Ram SRT10 regular cab and Quad Cab(TM), Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Coupe and Roadster and Chrysler 300C SRT8. The first Jeep(R) SRT vehicle -- the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 -- hits dealer showrooms early next year.

Both the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300C SRT8 feature functional, performance-oriented styling, world-class ride and handling, race- inspired interior appointments, benchmark braking and an SRT-engineered 6.1- liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine that delivers 425 horsepower -- 85 more horses than the 5.7-liter HEMI. Each vehicle boasts segment-leading SRT performance, including 0-60 mph in approximately five seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16- second range and 60-0 mph braking in approximately 110 feet.

Slight modifications will be made to the Dodge Charger SRT8 and Chrysler 300C SRT8 competing in the Targa Newfoundland. The 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 will remain stock, as will the SRT8 brakes. The vehicles' suspensions will be stiffened, and modifications will be made to the exteriors in order to accommodate larger wheels and tires. Roll cages will be added, and unnecessary weight will be removed for racing competition.

Targa Newfoundland is owned and organized by Newfoundland International Motorsports and is sanctioned by the Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS) and ASN Canada FIA.