The Chrysler 300 is a luxury car from Chrysler. 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.

1979

The 300 name made a brief reapparance in 1979, on a somewhat revised Chrysler Cordoba bodyshell.

1999

Chrysler revived the 300 name on the 300M in 1999. This time it was a front wheel drive, V6-engined car using the Chrysler LH platform. While not technically part of the famous "letter series" of the 1950s and 1960s, Chrysler did have a sense of continuity, using the next letter, M, after the last 300L.

When Chrysler redesigned the LH cars in 1998, the Eagle Vision was discontinued. In order to fill the "import-fighter" gap, the Vision's job, Chrysler brought back the 300 name. This vehicle also fit the European "3 metre" size class for export, unlike the substantially similar LHS.

The 300M was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1999. It also was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1999 and 2000.

2005 300/300C

The current 300 is a completely redesigned by Ralph Gilles sport-sedan, 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 new 300 was built to bring a high performance, sporty sedan to compete with the likes of the BMW 5-Series, the Cadillac CTS, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The 300C shares these cars' front engine, rear wheel drive layout 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 US sedan's "Touring" option package), is based off the US market Dodge Magnum (the Dodge nameplate is not used in Europe except on German-market Vipers). 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 new 300 is offered in four versions: the basic entry level 300, the "Touring" version, a more luxurious "Limited" model, and the top-of the line 300C.

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 Nm) 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 lb ft (529 Nm) torque.

Initial indications are that the car will be a genuine hit for Chrysler. It is priced below similar rear wheel drive, high-performance V8 sedans from other marques, and shrewd product placement in several hip-hop videos have helped establish it as a cool and desirable vehicle. Media reports have indicated sales approaching 10,000 per month and shortages developing. 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 new 300C and Dodge Magnum both share the Chrysler LX platform, which features components derived from the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class. 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 AWD system.

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.

SRT-8

Chrysler introduced a special SRT-8 version of the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2004. It includes a new 6.1 L Hemi which produces 425 hp (317 kW). It is expected to go on sale in February of 2005 and has a sticker price of $39,995 plus the gas guzzler tax.

See also

• Chrysler 300 letter series
• Chrysler Hemi engine
• Chrysler LH platform

Coupe and Convertible?

Chysler is thinking of creating a coupe version as well as a convertible version of the 300. The convertible will most likely have 4-doors, something that hasn't been done since the 1967 Lincoln Continental. The idea of the convertible is based off the ASC Helios 300, shown at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2005. It is not known when the coupe and convertible 300 will be released, or if Chrysler will ever go through with the idea.

External links

• Official Chrysler 300 Series Site
• The # 1 LX Fan (and owners) site on the net!
• Chrysler 300C Forums
• Chrysler 300C Enthusiast Blog
• AutoGuideWiki.comde:Chrysler 300