5 Big Honkin' V8s

The SRT8 has something in common with the CTS-V besides its big V8: the touch of an individual. At Chrysler it's Herb Helbig, an old-school hot-rodder who's made many SRT cars and trucks perform in an unprecedented manner. Big ol' honkin' Chryslers just aren't supposed to do what this one can do.

Helbig has tuned the suspension and achieved a great balance between ride and handling with no wallow. The exhaust beautifully booms - you expect no less from a hotrod with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8. The Autostick works well; with tall gearing in the five-speed automatic transmission, we used second and third where the CTS-V needed third and fourth. Granted, we weren't going nearly as quickly...

If this were a fun-factor comparison test, the 300C might win. This baby is cool, and at $46,000 it's a relative bargain. Price matters, too.