Model range
Base
The basic 300 includes 17-inch wheels, wheel covers, four-wheel disc brakes, a single disc CD player, an auxiliary input jack, a power driver seat, and a four-speed (42RLE) automatic transmission. It uses a 2736 cc EER V6 rated at 190 hp. In Canada, it came standard with the Touring model's 3518 cc V6 engine. The vehicle comes with standard rear-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. The basic 300 model was renamed to LX for 2008 and remains the code name for the platform.[17]
Touring
The Touring model uses a 3518 cc V6, producing 250 hp and 250 lbft of torque, either a four- or five-speed transmission depending on the year and drive configuration, and comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels, AM/FM radio with CD player and auxiliary audio jack, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), remote keyless entry, leather-trimmed seats, and Sirius Satellite Radio. This model was renamed Touring Plus for the 2009 and 2010 model years.[17]
Limited
The Limited model included the Touring model's 3.5 L V6 engine, generating 250 hp and 250 lb·ft and either a four- or five-speed transmission depending on the year and drive configuration. Additional features included 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum road wheels and anti-roll bars.
300C
The top-of-the-line 300C version uses a 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8.[17] Using the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), this engine can run on four cylinders when less power is needed to reduce total fuel consumption. The USEPA-rated fuel consumption of the 300C is: 15 mpgus city, and 23 mpgus highway. When all eight cylinders are needed, the 300C can produce 340 hp and 390 lb·ft of torque. It uses a five-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with 18-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, Chrysler's MyGIG Infotainment System in 2008, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio and Backseat Television in 2008.
The Hemi cylinder heads necessitate a double rocker arm shaft configuration with a cam-in-block, overhead valve (OHV) pushrod design. There are two spark plugs per cylinder to promote efficient fuel/air mixture burn and reduce emissions. For 2009 and 2010, power output was increased to 360 hp.
SRT-8
The SRT-8 model was equipped with a 6.1 L Hemi engine producing 425 hp at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb·ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. The SRT8 can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.9 seconds.[18]
SRT Design
In 2006, Chrysler began producing a package group for the 300C model called "SRT Design”, which combined the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine with all the refinements and sports setup of the SRT 8.[19] However, outside of North America, the SRT Design was only offered with the 3.0L V6 CRD engine. In North America the last models of these to release were in 2009, production kept going globally until the face-lift in 2011. This model was predominantly used in the European market.[20]
Base
The basic 300 includes 17-inch wheels, wheel covers, four-wheel disc brakes, a single disc CD player, an auxiliary input jack, a power driver seat, and a four-speed (42RLE) automatic transmission. It uses a 2736 cc EER V6 rated at 190 hp. In Canada, it came standard with the Touring model's 3518 cc V6 engine. The vehicle comes with standard rear-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. The basic 300 model was renamed to LX for 2008 and remains the code name for the platform.[17]
Touring
The Touring model uses a 3518 cc V6, producing 250 hp and 250 lbft of torque, either a four- or five-speed transmission depending on the year and drive configuration, and comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels, AM/FM radio with CD player and auxiliary audio jack, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), remote keyless entry, leather-trimmed seats, and Sirius Satellite Radio. This model was renamed Touring Plus for the 2009 and 2010 model years.[17]
Limited
The Limited model included the Touring model's 3.5 L V6 engine, generating 250 hp and 250 lb·ft and either a four- or five-speed transmission depending on the year and drive configuration. Additional features included 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum road wheels and anti-roll bars.
300C
The top-of-the-line 300C version uses a 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8.[17] Using the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), this engine can run on four cylinders when less power is needed to reduce total fuel consumption. The USEPA-rated fuel consumption of the 300C is: 15 mpgus city, and 23 mpgus highway. When all eight cylinders are needed, the 300C can produce 340 hp and 390 lb·ft of torque. It uses a five-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with 18-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, Chrysler's MyGIG Infotainment System in 2008, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio and Backseat Television in 2008.
The Hemi cylinder heads necessitate a double rocker arm shaft configuration with a cam-in-block, overhead valve (OHV) pushrod design. There are two spark plugs per cylinder to promote efficient fuel/air mixture burn and reduce emissions. For 2009 and 2010, power output was increased to 360 hp.
SRT-8
The SRT-8 model was equipped with a 6.1 L Hemi engine producing 425 hp at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb·ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. The SRT8 can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.9 seconds.[18]
SRT Design
In 2006, Chrysler began producing a package group for the 300C model called "SRT Design”, which combined the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine with all the refinements and sports setup of the SRT 8.[19] However, outside of North America, the SRT Design was only offered with the 3.0L V6 CRD engine. In North America the last models of these to release were in 2009, production kept going globally until the face-lift in 2011. This model was predominantly used in the European market.[20]
Other variants
Station wagon
Chrysler marketed the 300C in Europe, Australia, South America, the Middle East, and Japan as both a four-door notchback sedan and a five-door station wagon. The five-door station wagon was marketed as the 300C Touring (not to be confused with the North American notchback sedan's "Touring" trim level), which shared its sheet metal aft of the C-pillar and wheel designs with the Dodge Magnum.
The base Chrysler 300 was not marketed in Europe. All cars came with the 300C body style/interior and either V6 diesel or V8 gasoline engines. The economical V6 diesel, sourced from Mercedes-Benz, was optional in Europe. All 300C Touring models, along with European 300C sedans and right-hand drive models, were assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, beginning in June 2005.[21] Steyr insisted on upgrading suspension components to suit European tastes. Dodge Charger/Magnum wheels with Chrysler center caps were used instead of the distinct wheels used on Canada-assembled models. The five-door station wagon body style was discontinued after the first generation.
Diesel (2006–2011)
In Europe and Australia, the 300C was available with a
Station wagon
Chrysler marketed the 300C in Europe, Australia, South America, the Middle East, and Japan as both a four-door notchback sedan and a five-door station wagon. The five-door station wagon was marketed as the 300C Touring (not to be confused with the North American notchback sedan's "Touring" trim level), which shared its sheet metal aft of the C-pillar and wheel designs with the Dodge Magnum.
The base Chrysler 300 was not marketed in Europe. All cars came with the 300C body style/interior and either V6 diesel or V8 gasoline engines. The economical V6 diesel, sourced from Mercedes-Benz, was optional in Europe. All 300C Touring models, along with European 300C sedans and right-hand drive models, were assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, beginning in June 2005.[21] Steyr insisted on upgrading suspension components to suit European tastes. Dodge Charger/Magnum wheels with Chrysler center caps were used instead of the distinct wheels used on Canada-assembled models. The five-door station wagon body style was discontinued after the first generation.
Diesel (2006–2011)
In Europe and Australia, the 300C was available with a Mercedes-Benz 3.0 L diesel V6 engine (internal code OM642) rated 218 PS at 3800 rpm and 376 lbft of torque at 1600 rpm. Fuel economy for the 300C diesel is rated at 26.2 mpgus city, 42.8 mpgus highway, and 34.9 mpgus on the combined cycle. It can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 7.9 seconds while the top speed remains the same as the gasoline V6 (140 mph).
The 2008 UK models included the 300C SRT-Design model in sedan or Touring body, which included SRT 20-inch alloy wheels and wheel arch spats, chrome mesh grille, MyGIG satellite navigation, SRT-8 steering wheel, SRT-8 leather sports seats, and carbon fiber interior details.[22]
ASC Helios 300
ASC created a convertible version of the Chrysler 300C, dubbed the ASC Helios 300, and unveiled it at the North American International Auto Show in early 2005. Despite rumors, Chrysler confirmed that the vehicle would not be produced.[23][24]
Executive Series 300
The Walter P. Chrysler Executive Series 300 was an extended wheelbase version shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show. It added 6 inches (152 mm) to the rear passenger compartment. The wheelbase was 126 in for this edition.[25]
Signature Executive Series 300
The Walter P. Chrysler Signature Executive Series 300 was a package offered from the factory for the touring V6 model after 2008. It shared many features with the executive series, omitting the extra 6 inches and the rear DVD player in the passenger compartment. The Signature Touring included special badging, 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, 6.5-inch MyGIG REN 430(N) touchscreen DVD player with optional uConnect+navigation, Boston Acoustic six-speaker sound system, heated leather-trimmed seats, heated and powered mirrors, eight-way power seats, power-adjustable pedals, and sunroof. It was offered for an additional CA$ 2,240 in Canada.[26]
Heritage Edition 300C The Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition debuted in 2006 and was a performance-oriented trim that used the 5.7 Hemi and had styling cues from the Chrysler 300 "letter series" of the 1950s and the 1960s.[27]
Beijing Auto T8
The Beijing Auto T8 was a Chinese limousine version of the Chrysler 300. Beijing Auto produced two prototypes. The T8 got a new Cadillac-style nose and a new rear end; however, the rest of the design remained unchanged from the standard Chrysler 300.[28] The only changes to the interior were a revised steering wheel with an updated logo.[28] Beijing Auto did not have the right to continue to use the platform(s) or engine(s) necessary to produce the vehicle. Therefore, the continuation of the T8's development and production prospects ended in 2009.
Reception and legacy
The Chrysler 300's driving characteristics were generally well-received. The ride of the car was described as "steady, comfortable, and a study in control"[29] Reviewers said the car drove "a lot like a Benz" due to the heavy use of German engineering and involvement of Mercedes-Benz in the development process during Chrysler and Daimler's partnership.[29] The car was also described as "impressively stable at high speed" by journalists at speeds even in excess of 150+ MPH on German autobahns, on par with other German sedans of the era. Again, such attributes could be attributed to the car's German underpinnings. However, a real weakness in the car's driving experience was "numb steering," which many journalists claimed made the car feel "capable, but disconnected."[30]
In the UK, the BBC's Top Gear team described the 300C as "something different with a bit of kitsch gangster cool". They praised the spacious and well-equipped interior, even calling it a "re-shelled German car with an American body," and the low price while criticizing the quality of certain materials, numb steering, and low engine torque of the V6 models.
Awards
The 300C was the 2005 Motor Trend Car of the Year.[36] It was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for both 2005 and 2006.[37][38] Automobile Magazine named it Automobile of the Year.[39]
It also won the North American Car of the Year award.[40] It was voted Canadian Car of the Year by automobile journalists as the Best New Luxury Car.[41]
