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Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a near-luxury sedan designed by Ralph Gilles. There have been many vehicles using the name, starting in 1955 and continuing to this day. This page is about the modern Chrysler 300, not the Chrysler 300 letter series cars of the 1950s and 1960s.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Chrysler 300 Review.
Recent Changes
- The next generation Chrysler 300 has been leaked on the internet by Motor Trend. Like the Dodge Charger, the Chrysler 300 will be available with two engines. The 3.6-liter V6 will produce 292 hp (218 kW / 296 PS) and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque, while the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 will crank out 370 hp (276 kW / 375 PS) and 395 lb-ft (536 Nm). Both will be connected to a five-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the rear wheels (all-wheel drive will be optional).[1][2][3][4][5]
Styles and Major Options
The new 300 is offered in five versions: the basic entry level 300, the "Touring" version, a more luxurious "Limited" model, the top-of the line 300C, and the performance-oriented SRT-8.
The basic 300 comes standard with 17 in (432 mm) alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and a four-speed automatic transmission. It uses a 2.7 L LH V6 making 190 hp (142 kW).
The Touring model uses a 3.5 L V6, producing 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 ft.lbf (339 N·m) of torque. It also uses a 4-speed automatic transmission, but comes with foglamps, yaw control, and other luxury appointments.
The top of the line 300C version uses a 5.7 L Hemi V8. This engine can run on four cylinders when less power is needed, reducing fuel consumption. The EPA has rated the 300C as getting 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. When all 8 cylinders are needed, the 300C can make 340 hp (254 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (529 N·m) torque. The Heritage Edition of the 300C features the 5.7 L engine along with many of the SRT-8's exterior modification, added chrome accents, and special tires on 18 inch wheels. It is the first Chrysler vehicle with SmartBeam headlights.
The SRT-8 includes a new 6.1 L Hemi which produces 425 hp (317 kW).
Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Chrysler 300 can be found at CarsDirect.
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300 Trims |
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300 Base Model
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300 Touring
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300 Touring
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300C Base Model
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300C Base Model
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300C SRT-8
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MSRP |
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$23,880 |
$28,010 |
$30,760 |
$34,525 |
$36,600 |
$40,420 |
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Invoice |
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$22,332 |
$26,049 |
$28,524 |
$31,913 |
$33,780 |
$37,653 |
Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:
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Trim |
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MPG |
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21/28 |
19/27 |
17/25 |
14/20 |
17/24 |
17/24 |
Reliability
Because the new 300 model only debuted in 2005, accurate long-term reliability information is not yet available.
Safety
The 2007 Chrysler 300 received high marks from the NHTSA in safety tests performed by the agency. For all front-impact and for rear seat side-impact tests, the 300 earned 5-Star ratings, and in tests for front seat side-impact and rollover, it received 4-Star ratings.
Some of the standard safety equipment found on the 300 includes:
- Traction control
- Four wheel anti-lock brakes
- Electronic stability control
- Front and rear anti-roll bars
- Driver/passenger front-impact airbags
- Side impact bars
Photos
Colors
Colors will vary by trim, and a complete list is viewable on CarsDirect.com. Some of the available combinations include:
Exterior
- Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat
- Brilliant Black Crystal Clearcoat
- Cool Vanilla Clearcoat
- Inferno Red Crystal Clearcoat
- Marine Blue Pearlcoat
- Steel Blue Metallic Clearcoat
Interior
- Dark Khaki/Light Graystone
- Dark Slate Gray/Light Graystone
- Dark/Light Slate Gray
Main Competitors
Hybrid Models
There are no hybrid models of the 300 in production at this time.
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
According to Kelley Blue Book, "the 300 is projected to hold a better than-average-residual value, with the Touring actually bettering the V8 300C over a five-year period by a few percentage points."
Criticisms
- "If you're looking for something inconspicuous, say, for a stakeout, the Chrysler 300 might not be your best option. Car enthusiasts will lament the absence of a manual transmission and some may find the interior color choices drab." - Kelley Blue Book
- "Saddled with a small V6, the base model feels sluggish, and we wouldn't recommend it to most buyers." - Edmunds.com
- "Bit of a handful when giving its all(Hemi)." - Motor Magazine
Generations
Current Generation: (2011–Present)
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First Generation/Origins (2005-2010)
The original 300 is a muscle sedan and wagon which was first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car and first introduced in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model. The current 300 was designed by Ralph Gilles, and replaced both the 300M and Concorde.
The new 300 was built to bring a high performance, sporty sedan to compete with the likes of the Buick LaCrosse and the Mercury Montego (launched at the same time as the 300). Unlike the LaCrosse and Montego, the 300C is rear wheel drive and offers comparable luxury at a lower price. The 300 is also sold in Europe as both a sedan and a station wagon. The station wagon, sold in Europe as the 300 Touring (not to be confused with the North American sedan's "Touring" trim level), shares its body pieces of the C-pillar with the Dodge Magnum. The 300 Touring differs from the Magnum in that its exterior stying and interior fitment are that of the 300/300C instead of the less-luxurious Magnum.
The car has become a genuine hit for Chrysler. It is priced below similar rear wheel drive, high-performance V8 sedans from other marques. Media reports have indicated sales approaching 10,000 per month and shortages developing.
The new 300C, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum all share the Chrysler LX platform, which features components derived from the discontinued Mercedes-Benz E-Class of 1996 to 2002. Such components include the suspension design, front seat frames, wiring harnesses, steering column, the 5-speed automatic's design, and a derivative of the 4-Matic all wheel drive system.
- Cosmetically, the 300 remains unchanged from the 2006 model year, save for an optional longer wheelbase available on select trims. Feature-wise, SmartBeam headlights are offered on the Heritage Edition of the 300C for the first time, and other new features include things such as heated rear seats and adaptive cruise control.
- For 2008, The 300 receives a minor refresh in the form of minor revisions to the front and rear fascias and tailamps, a new rear deck lid incorporating an SRT-style spoiler, a new entertainment and communications options, a new instrument panel and center console design, soft-touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels, and a newly designed and relocated cruise control stalk. [6]
Extended Wheelbase
The Extended Wheelbase version of the 300 was shown for the first time at the 2006 New York Auto Show. It has 6 inches of extra length, which has been added to the rear passenger compartment. The extended wheelbase model will be built by Accubilt, an outside specialty vehicle manufacturer. Although built by this outside company, it will be fully backed by Chrysler and sold through Chrysler dealerships.
Origins
The 300 name made a brief reapparance in 1979, on a somewhat revised Chrysler Cordoba bodyshell. This "300" had non-functional fender vents, red, white, and blue pin stripes, and a 360 in³ V8. This engine produced just 195 hp (145 kW) and was mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission, resulting in meager performance. The model was gone after 1979.
Worldwide
The 300 is sold in many countries and as a 300 Touring which is a rebadged Dodge Magnum with the 300's front fascia. It is available with a diesel engine in Europe.
Design quirks and oddities
- Shrewd product placement in several hip-hop videos have helped establish the 300 as a cool and desirable vehicle. In fact, one account had rapper Snoop Dogg leaving a message for Chrysler chairman Dieter Zetsche saying, "What I gotta do to get that brand-new C outta you?"
- The Chrysler 300C has been voted the Most Washable Car 2005 by the International Wash Association.
- In the first episode of Season 4 in Top Gear, Richard Hammond stated that the Chrysler 300C isn't really good at all and it is cool. Jeremy Clarkson however disagreed and talked about people owning 300Cs. Richard, holding out a 300C card to put on the cool wall asks the audience if they think it's a cool car when Jeremy unexpectedly snatched it off Richard's hand and stuck it on the "Uncool" section. Richard then took the 300C card out of the cool wall but Jeremy grabbed it again and threw it off.
Awards
- The 300C was the 2005 Motor Trend Car of the Year and was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2005. It also won the North American Car of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year Best New Luxury Car awards.
See also
External links
- Official Chrysler 300 Series Site
- Official Chrysler Press Release Reguarding the Extended Wheelbase Model
- The # 1 LX Fan (and owners) site on the net!
- Chrysler 300C Forums
- Chrysler 300C Car Parts & Maintenance- A forum dedicated to the discussion of maintenance for the Chrysler 300C
- Chrysler 300C Enthusiast Blog
- Chrysler 300C Coupé Impression
- Fiat Group "Revitalizes" Chrysler's Lineup with Special Edition 2010MY 300 S6 and S8
- Detroit Preview: 2011 Chrysler 300
This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Chrysler 300, which includes these contributors.
