Review: Chrysler 300C

The Chrysler 300C - The most awarded car in America’s automotive history.

Once in awhile, an automobile manufacturer will build a car that will go into the annals as a great car after it has long been discontinued. The Chrysler 300C will be one such car.

Unlike its predecessor, the 300M, the Chrysler 300C is build as a Rear Wheel Drive to appreciate the full brunt of the massive torque from the 5.7 liter Hemi power-plant. In Singapore, the 3.5 liter V6 Chrysler-brewed engine will be standard.

People who have been there with a certain amount of wealth more often than not want something of stature in their automobile taste. Invariably, a BMW or a Mercedes comes to mind. However, wouldn’t it be nice to be a non-conformist and go for something different? With that, the Chrysler 300C does spring to mind.

It is as large as what a BMW 7 series or a Lexus LS 430 is. It offers a certain degree of prestige, if not brand equity as Chrysler is America’s No. 3 automobile manufacturer. Hailing from DaimlerChrysler, the 300C also offers a fair degree of sophistication and technology.

For people who have lived with American cars here in the sixties, the Chrysler 300C is seen as a return of those great hulks. Aptly, even DaimlerChrysler in its promotions touts it as “The return of the Great American Car.” The Pontiac Parisenne, Chevrolet Impala and the Dodge Polaris attained a reasonable amount of heritage status of their own here in Singapore in its heydays. These muscle cars, with legendary tailfins and big V8 push rod engines were seen as status symbols of the rich and famous. They sold well in those days when BMW was unheard of and Mercedes Benz was struggling to get away from the pirate taxis image.

The new Chrysler 300C is a lot more refined, easy on gas and certainly rides with pomp compared to its distant cousins in the sixties. Singaporeans have not really seen a car of this magnitude since Mercedes Benz showed up with the Classic in the late eighties. In the States, the 300C has won just about every conceivable award and has been billed as the most awarded car in American automotive history. The accolades are still coming in.

So how good is the 300C? In terms of size, it’s 5 meters in length comparable to the likes of the BMW 7 series, the Audi A8 and the Lexus LS430. However, one strong weapon the 300C has over the competition is the price. You don’t get to part with more money than what it takes to drive away a BMW 5 series, Mercedes Benz E Class or an Audi A6. In a nutshell, you are buying a powerhouse with low bucks and that equates to tremendous value for money.

In recent times, Chrysler has always been touted as a more forward thinking automotive manufacturer than its more illustrious competitors, General Motors and Ford. The PT Prowler, PT Cruiser, the Dodge Viper and Ram trucks are good examples of what and how cars should be build. The 300C is no different. It blends retro styling with a stylish modernistic design. It is retro only in the way it celebrates certain past auto-attributes much enjoyed in their time, but its aptitudes are modern.

The first impression one gets in the 300C is that of a gloriously “successful” car. Successful because when you have arrived, this is the kind of car you want to be seen driving. Upfront, its big-jawed face with the hefty egg-crate grille puts to shame the A8’s front. The front wheels are pushed well forward, emphasizing the impression of volume and excess power, and the tail is brutally squared. From the side, a high belt line with a strong muscular stance is created to psyche and intimidate anything parked close to it. Its looks can be pretty menacing.

To move the massive frame, there is a 3.5 liter V6 power-plant. Mated to a five speed automatic transmission, this engine generates 250 bhp with 340 Nm of torque. More than ample to catapult the 1,800 kg hulk from a standstill to 100 kph in sub 9 seconds.

You know you are into something special the minute you sit in the cockpit. Sitting smack right center is the brush aluminum look of the centre console. Unusually, the steering wheel is donned in tortoise shell. The equally exciting instrumentation panel has a collection of white dials adorned in copperplate fonts, a nice touch. When lighted up, the instrumentation panel is pale green, reminiscent of the big American cars in the sixties. This is by far one of the best finished Chrysler cabins you can ever find. Its leather clad seats with sumptuous feel, all adds up to a very well appointed interior. If there’s anything lacking, you’ll probably be forgiving given again the car is more than $50,000 lesser than one of comparable stature.

Being part of DaimlerChrysler, you can expect the 300C to share some of the genes of a Mercedes Benz. It shares the same chassis as the E class albeit the platform has been stretched to accommodate a longer wheelbase. The cruise control stalk, together with the suspension comes from Mercedes.

From a stationary position the 300C pulls away with relative ease. The engine is quiet and power isn’t lacking. At high speed, the car is downright steady and sturdy. The 300C’s inspired handling is the result of a sophisticated all-independent suspension. Along twisty roads, the full complement of traction control and electronic stability program keeps the car well-behaved with minimal roll. The massive 18” wheels hug the road with great poise and holding. Its driving dynamics belies its hulk and are very reminiscent of mid size cars like the A6 and E class. The steering is communicative and responsive and the suspension well controlled. Ay cruising speed, the car is very quiet.

Will Singaporeans take to the 300C? I think so as this is the first time we see a return of a full sized American sedan. It is not only retro but nostalgic. The 300C is well priced and offers tremendous value for money. It is suavely sophisticated and posses presence and personality to make driving it an event. It is charismatic and an instant conversational piece. Chrysler may not have an established brand positioning yet in Singapore but the 300C will change that. With its introduction as Chrysler’s flagship, it will take the brand into the premium market. The 300C epitomized stunning American design with state of art German technology. And for $155,999, it is tremendous value for money.