The Chrysler 300 is a full-size sport/luxury type sedan that was first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. The Chrysler 300 became North America's first mainstream rear-wheel drive sedan with a V8 engine since the 1995 Mazda 929. Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built as a high performance, sporty sedan. The Chrysler 300 is also marketed in Australia, as the first full-size Chrysler vehicle sold there since the Valiant was discontinued in 1981.
The Chrysler 300 is based on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform which features components derived from the W210 Mercedes-Benz E-Class of 1996 to 2002. Shared components include the rear suspension design, front seat frames, wiring harnesses, steering column, the 5-speed automatic transmission's design, and a derivative of the 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The Chrysler 300 also features a double wishbone front suspension that is derived from the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The basic 300 (or 300C in some countries) comes with standard 17-inch wheels, wheel covers, four-wheel disc brakes, single disc mp3 player, auxiliary input jack, power driver seat and a four-speed automatic transmission. It uses a 2,736 cc (2.736 L; 167.0 cu in) EER V6 making 190 hp (140 kW). In Canada, it comes standard with the Touring model's 3,518 cc (3.5 L; 214.7 cu in) V6 engine. The vehicle comes with standard rear wheel drive and available four wheel drive. The basic 300 model was renamed to LX for 2008. The Touring model uses a 3,518 cc (3.5 L; 214.7 cu in) V6, producing 250 hp (190 kW) and 250 ft·lb (340 N·m) of torque. It also has a 4-speed automatic transmission, 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. The Limited model uses the Touring model's 3.5 L V6 engine, which generates 250 hp (190 kW) and 250 ft·lbf (340 N·m) mated to a high performance 5-speed Mercedes W5A580 automatic transmission with Autostick. Additional features include 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels and Chrysler's Dual-Zone Climate Control. The top-line 300C version uses a 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8. Using the Multidisplacement System (MDS), this engine can run on four cylinders when less power is needed in order to reduce total fuel consumption. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has rated the 300C as getting 15 miles per US gallon (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg-imp) city, 23 miles per US gallon (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg-imp) highway. When all 8 cylinders are needed, the 300C can make 340 hp (250 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (530 N·m) torque. It uses a 5-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with 18 inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, Chrysler's MyGIG Infotainment System in 2008 and SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Backseat Television in 2008. The HEMI engine includes a pushrod induction tube, located on the side of the engine-block. This tube makes the 300C more fuel efficient and quicker, because of the air being "pulled and pushed" into the engine's induction area. The engine uses the HEMI, or double rocker configuration, with a cam-in-block, overhead valve (OHV) pushrod design. There are two spark plugs per cylinder to assure complete fuel/air mixture burn and decrease emissions. The Heritage Edition of the 300C features the 5.7 L engine along with many of the SRT-8's exterior modification, added chrome accents, special badging, and special tires on 20 inch wheels. It is the first Chrysler vehicle with SmartBeam headlights. It also includes SRT front seats with the Heritage 300C symbols stitched into their headrests. The Heritage Edition debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. In 2007, a special options package for non-SRT 300C's became available. The SRT Design group included badging, performance suspension, SRT 20-inch forged, polished aluminium wheels, SRT front seats, SRT body modifications (minus the front lip spoiler) high speed engine controller with revised tuning for 5.7 L HEMI, raising horsepower to 350 HP, high flow air cleaner system and performance exhaust (similar to the Charger R/T's Road and Track Performance Group). Other options were included but are year dependent. Chrysler introduced the SRT-8 version of the car at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2004. It includes a new 370-cubic-inch, 6.1 L Hemi V8 which produces 425 hp (317 kW). Preliminary performance targets for the 300C SRT8 are 0-60 mph in the low 5-second range and quarter-mile time in the high 13-second range. However, it has been proven many times by owners that stock versions of the SRT8's have performance figures that are: 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds with a 1/4 mile time of under 13 seconds. It went on sale in February 2005 and has a sticker price of US$43,695 as of 2006 plus applicable taxes. Additional features include leather SRT-8 performance-embossed seats and 20-inch forged, polished aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes, and a rear lip spoiler. The 2007–2008 SRT-8 models have a rear spoiler moulded into the body. This is also standard throughout the entire 300 line-up. The earlier models from 2005 to 2006, did not have the lower air dam like the 2007 models. This increased cooling to the engine by as much as 30%. The 300 is also sold in Europe and Australia as both a sedan and a station wagon. The station wagon, sold in Europe as the 300C Touring (not to be confused with the North American sedan's "Touring" trim level), shares much of its sheet metal with the Dodge Magnum. The 300 Touring differs from the Magnum in that its exterior styling and interior are that of the 300 instead of the less-luxurious Magnum. All 300 Touring models, along with European 300C models and right-hand drive models, are built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. In Europe and Australia, the 300C is available with a 3.0 L diesel V6 engine (internal code OM642) developed by Mercedes-Benz. It produces218 hp (163 kW) and 376 ft·lb (510 N·m) of torque and will be soon available with NOx BlueTec technology. The idea to extend the 300 came from Bradley A. Blakeman to Chrysler executives attending JD Powers Automobile Roundtable in New Orleans, LA in 2004. The Walter P. Chrysler Executive Series 300, is an extended wheelbase version of the 300 that was shown for the first time at the 2006 New York Auto Show. It has six inches (152 mm) of extra length, which has been added to the rear passenger compartment. The extended wheelbase model will be built by Accubuilt, at an outside specialty vehicle modifier normally known for building limousines and hearses. Although built by this outside company, it is fully backed by Chrysler and sold through Chrysler dealerships. The Chrysler 3000тм is an aftermarket limousine variant of the 300. It is available in various lengths and internal styles. ASC created a convertible version of the Chrysler 300C, dubbed the ASC Helios 300, and showed it at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2005. Despite rumors, Chrysler has confirmed that the vehicle will not be produced. However, a convertible version of the 300 is available from Coach Builders Limited located in High Springs, Florida.Model range
Base
Touring
Limited
300C
Heritage Edition
SRT Design Group
SRT-8
Improvements
Other variants
Station wagon
Diesel
Executive Series 300
The extended wheelbase 300 competes with the Lincoln Town Car and Cadillac DTS in the American livery market.The 3000
ASC Helios 300
