Dodge Neon SRT-4 ACR

Dodge Neon SRT-4 ACR

The Dodge Neon SRT-4 was the Street and Racing Technology division's most accessible product, transforming Chrysler's humble economy sedan into a turbocharged giant-killer that became one of the most significant sport compact cars of the 2000s. At just under $21,000 when new, it offered more bang for the buck than virtually anything else on the market.

The SRT-4's foundation was the second-generation Dodge Neon, a car not known for luxury or refinement. But the SRT engineering team saw the Neon's light weight and willing chassis as ideal raw material for a performance build. They fitted a turbocharged and intercooled version of Chrysler's 2.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 215 horsepower initially, raised to 230 horsepower for 2004 through revised engine management calibration.

The ACR (American Club Racer) package, available from 2004, was the SRT-4 taken to its logical extreme. It added stiffer springs, retuned dampers, larger rear anti-roll bar, front strut tower brace, and Quaife limited-slip differential. The ACR was intended for serious track use and autocross competition, where the SRT-4's light weight and prodigious torque made it a dominant force in its class.

The five-speed manual transmission was the only gearbox available, reinforcing the SRT-4's driver-focused mission. The NVG T-850 box was robust enough to handle the engine's torque, though first and second gears were closely spaced for maximum acceleration. A four-wheel disc brake system provided strong stopping power, and the multi-link rear suspension offered better compliance and cornering than the beam axle found in standard Neons.

The SRT-4's performance was remarkable for its price and class. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.8 seconds at 103 mph, figures that placed the SRT-4 in company with cars costing two and three times as much. The car's torque-steer under hard acceleration was legendary, requiring a firm grip on the steering wheel, but experienced drivers learned to manage it.

The SRT-4 became hugely popular in the tuner community. The 2.4-liter turbo engine responded well to modifications, with bolt-on upgrades easily pushing output past 300 horsepower and more ambitious builds exceeding 500 horsepower. The availability of affordable performance parts from both Mopar and the aftermarket made the SRT-4 one of the most frequently modified cars of its generation.

The ACR variant added approximately $2,000 to the base SRT-4 price and was produced in limited numbers. The Quaife limited-slip differential dramatically improved traction and reduced the torque steer that plagued the standard car, making the ACR the preferred choice for serious enthusiasts and competitors.

Total SRT-4 production was approximately 25,000 units across the 2003-2005 model years. While many were modified and driven hard, a growing number of enthusiasts are preserving stock examples as these cars are increasingly recognized as important members of the sport compact performance canon.