The Chrysler 300 SRT is officially dead here in the US, but the sedan’s big V8 continues to rumble in a handful of other markets around the world.

The mainstream Chrysler 300 lineup received a thorough update for 2015 with nary a peep about the nuclear-grade SRT version.

Built in Canada, the 2016 Chrysler 300 SRT will go on sale across Australia in the coming weeks with a base price of 59,000 Australian dollars, a sum that converts to roughly $42,000.

Despite its hefty desire for unleaded petrol – with claimed consumption of 13.0 litres per 100km, it’s one of the thirstiest cars on the market – the appeal of a powerful, potent V8 has tempted many into the flagship of the range. While that was a clear message that the burliest 300 was truly buried in North America-our sources also said as much last year-multiple sightings of refreshed 300 SRTs testing in the U.S. sowed confusion and seemed to indicate otherwise.

“Cylinder deactivation is one of the technologies used to keep emissions lower and yes, a global perspective is important, but look how popular these cars are still in the States”, says Swanson. “It’s quite different from the way it drives now”.

Swanson says the SRT is an “even more attractive offering compared to other similar things out there at the moment”, referring to the Ford Falcon XR8, Holden Commodore SS-V and HSV Clubsport R8.

But as ever tightening Carbon dioxide emissions regulations come into force in Europe and the US, it could force the likes of Ford, Chrysler/Dodge and Chevrolet to think outside the box when it comes to large capacity V8s.

For now, says the product strategist, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep will stick with wild V8s such as the 350kW 6.4-litre HEMI offered in Australia and also its 527kW supercharged 6.2-litre “Hellcat” engine expected to arrive here in due course.

Careful observers will notice the Australian SRT has been given a minor facelift.

But not everywhere. Those cars we spotted testing?