Chrysler 300
A sporty sedan that is marketed as a luxury vehicle with high performance, the Chrysler 300 is the first mainstream rear-wheel drive sedan with a V6 since the 1995 Mazda 929. The 300 is available in several trims: the LX, Touring, Limited, "C" or 300C, and SRT8, all of which are rear-wheel drive with all-wheel drive models available in the Touring, Limited, and 300C trims.
The appearance of the Chrysler 300 is described as "unmistakably American." The front of the 300 is emphasized with its huge chrome grill and double-lens headlights. All of this combined with its large bulging fenders and huge wheels give the 300 a strong and imposing presence on the road.
Power for the Chrysler 300 varies from trim to trim. The base model LX is powered by a 178 horsepower 2.7 liter V6 engine, while the Touring and Limited models are powered by a 250 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 engine. The 300C is powered by a 5.7 liter V8 engine that is capable of producing 360 horsepower, while the SRT-8 uses a beefy 6.1 liter V8, producing 425 horsepower.
The interior of the Chrysler 300 is quite spacious thanks to its 120-inch wheelbase, and depending on the trim can be loaded with various extras ranging from leather trimmed seats and satellite radio, to the new Sirius backseat television.
Overview/History
The Chrysler 300's history can be traced all the way back to the 1950's where they were built in very limited numbers as high-performance luxury cars before being discontinued in 1965. The 300 later made a return in 1970 with the Hurst 300 but this was a short lived return lasting only a year with only around 500 units believed to have been built. The 300 would make another return in 1999 with the 300M which would be the predecessor to the 300 that we see today.
In 2007 a W.P. Chrysler Executive Series variant of the 300 was released which offered an extended wheel-base, and slightly larger rear passenger compartment.
Currently the Chrysler 300 is built on Chrysler's LX platform which is built using components derived from Mercedes-Benz. These components include the suspension design, wiring harnesses, steering column, as well as having their 5-speed automatic's design have some basis in Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
Since its debut in 2005 the Chrysler 300 has gone through few changes through the years. Except for a slight boost in power to the 300C, the power train has gone relatively unchanged. Other minor changes through the years include revisions to the suspension and exterior styling.