The Dodge Neon SRT concept is the most powerful Neon ever, with a supercharged, 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine that generates more than 200 horsepower, and shows how much potential Neon has in what has become a white-hot trend - the customization of compact cars.

This craze emerged about five years ago in Southern California, tore through the South, is blossoming on the East Coast and making inroads to the Midwest. "Neon is a natural choice for these types of modifications," said Jim Julow, Vice President - Dodge Car and Truck Division. "The Neon SRT concept is intended to stimulate the imagination of 18- to 25-year-old drivers as to what they could do with the right accessories if they owned the Neon."

Neon SRT has a boldly styled front fascia, projector-beam fog lamps, a hood air scoop and an imposing rear spoiler. Its 2.0-liter, SOHC, four-cylinder engine has 208 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the production Neon has 132 horsepower, which is still best-in-class among similar sedans.

In addition, SRT is 1.5 inches lower than the production Neon. It has four-wheel independent suspension with Eibach custom springs, Tokico performance-tuned struts, heavy-duty front and rear sway bars, racing tires and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

A sound-system sounding more like a concert hall than a compact car is made up of an Alpine in-dash compact disc changer/cassette/receiver/sound field processor operated through Precision Power 400 and Precision 1800 amplifiers and four JBL two-way speakers. The system is rounded out with two Infinity 12-inch subwoofers.

"The SRT is sensory overload in sight, sound and power," said Marques McCammon, Neon SRT program manager. "We've attempted to generate the same passion and energy we did with the production Viper, only in a compact car."

McCammon's partner in the eight-month project, Eric Stoddard, of the DaimlerChrysler Design Studio, agrees. Stoddard did the exterior styling on SRT as well as interior and exterior material and color selection.

"This love of performance and cars isn't new but the potential in this growing performance movement is staggering," Stoddard said. "The Dodge Neon SRT will make an impact in this market by really illustrating the full potential of the production Neon."

No stranger to sports car enthusiasts who love the uncommon combination of performance and affordability, the Neon quickly found a second home on the race tracks of America after its introduction in 1994. Neon became the "pocket rocket" of choice among grassroots racers due to its sporty, quick and fun-to-drive attributes.

The idea of a special edition Neon took shape in the winner's circle of the SCCA Class C Showroom Stock class events after three consecutive National titles were won from 1995 to 1997. Dodge capitalized on this interest by producing a special-edition Neon R/T in 1998 and 1999 that featured many of same championship hardware.

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