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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.
The 300 name made a brief reapparance in 1979, on a somewhat revised Chrysler Cordoba bodyshell.
DaimlerChrysler revived the 300 name on the 300M in 1999. This time it was a front wheel drive, V6 car using the Chrysler LH platform.
The current 300 is a completely redesigned sport-sedan (car), 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, 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, and a 4-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 is unique in that it can run on 4 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 Nm) torque.
Chrysler has recently announced a special SRT-8 version of the car, making 425 hp from a new 6.1 L Hemi. It is expected to go on sale in early 2005 and have a price estimated at $49,000.
Initial indications are that the car will be a genuine hit for Chrysler. It is priced below similar rear-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 is based on the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
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