Chrysler 300
Encyclopedia
- For the Chrysler 300 wagon sold in Australia and Europe, see Dodge MagnumDodge MagnumThe Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different automobiles. The most recent is a large rear-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year and produced through to 2008. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the...
.
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
upscale car first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
as a concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. Designed by Ralph Gilles
Ralph Gilles
Ralph V. Gilles, born on January 14, 1970 in New York City, is a Haitian-Can-American automobile designer.Gilles is currently the President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler Group LLC...
, the new 300 was built as a high-end sedan while the SRT-8 model was designed to be the high-performance version. The Chrysler 300 is also marketed in Australia, as the first full-size Chrysler vehicle sold there since the Valiant
Chrysler Valiant
The Chrysler Valiant is a passenger car which was introduced by Chrysler Australia in 1962 with production ceasing in 1981. Initially a rebadged locally assembled Plymouth Valiant from the U.S., the Valiant range was sold throughout Australia and New Zealand, as well as South Africa...
was discontinued in 1981. The car will be sold in Europe as the Lancia Thema
Lancia Thema
The Lancia Thema is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia between 1984 and 1994, and one of four cars to share the Type Four platform alongside the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000...
beginning in October 2011. However, it will remain branded as the Chrysler 300 in the UK and Ireland only.
First generation
The Chrysler 300 is based on the rear-wheel driveAutomobile layout
In automotive design, the automobile layout describes where on the vehicle the engine and drive wheels are found. Many different combinations of engine location and driven wheels are found in practice, and the location of each is dependent on the application the vehicle will be used for...
Chrysler LX platform
Chrysler LX platform
The LX platform is Chrysler's full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform for the mid part of the first decade of the 21st century. The LX was developed in America from the previous Chrysler LH platform, which had been designed to allow it to be easily upgraded to rear and all-wheel drive...
which features components derived from the W210 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz W210
The Mercedes-Benz W210 is a mid-size luxury car–executive car which was produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from 1995 through 2002 . The W210 replaced the W124 model. They were sold under the E-Class model names in both sedan and station wagon body types...
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
4MATIC
4Matic is the name of an AWD four-wheel drive system developed and used by Mercedes-Benz. It is designed to increase traction in slippery conditions....
all-wheel drive system. The Chrysler 300 also features a double wishbone front suspension that is derived from the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes-Benz W220
The Mercedes-Benz W220 was a series of flagship sedans which constituted the Mercedes-Benz S-Class during the early-to-mid 2000's. Development for the W220 S-Class started in 1992, with the final design being approved in 1996 spanning a total of 38 months. The completed prototypes were presented in...
.
Base
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 transmissionAutomatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. It uses a 2736 cc EER V6 making 190 hp. In Canada, it comes 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 as the code-name for the platform.
Touring
The Touring model uses a 3518 cc V6, producing 250 hp and 250 ft-lb (339 N·m) of torque. It also has a 5-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 SIRIUSSirius
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. With a visual apparent magnitude of −1.46, it is almost twice as bright as Canopus, the next brightest star. The name "Sirius" is derived from the Ancient Greek: Seirios . The star has the Bayer designation Alpha Canis Majoris...
satellite radio
Satellite radio
Satellite radio is an analogue or digital radio signal that is relayed through one or more satellites and thus can be received in a much wider geographical area than terrestrial FM radio stations...
. This model was renamed Touring Plus for the 2009 and 2010 model years.
Limited
The Limited model included the Touring model's 3.5 L V6 engine, generating 250 hp and 250 ft-lb (339 N·m) mated to a high-performance five-speed Mercedes W5A580 automatic transmission with Autostick. Additional features included 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels and Chrysler's Dual-Zone Climate Control.300C
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
has rated the 300C as getting 15 mpgus city, 23 mpgus highway. When all eight cylinders are needed, the 300C can make 340 hp and 390 ft.lbf 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 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.
Heritage Edition
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.SRT Design Group
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.SRT-8
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, considered the most prestigious event of its kind. It is the finale of a week long festival of classic cars events in the Monterey area every year...
in 2004. It includes a new 370-cubic-inch, 6.1 L Hemi V8 which produces 425 hp. Preliminary performance targets for the 300C SRT8 are 0-60 mph in the high 4-second range and quarter-mile time in the low 13-second range. It went on sale in February 2005 and has a sticker price
Monroney sticker
The Monroney sticker or window sticker is a label required in the United States to be displayed in all new automobiles and includes the listing of certain official information about the car. Since the mid-seventies the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides fuel economy metrics in the label...
of US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
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
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
brakes, and a rear lip spoiler.
300S
The 300S is a limited edition of which 1,242 have been built. It includes all options of the SRT8 version but it is offered in 3.5L or 5.7L.300S
Station wagon
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as both a sedan and a station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
. The station wagon is sold as the 300C Touring (not to be confused with the North American sedan's "Touring" trim level) which shares much of its sheet metal aft of the c-pillar with the Dodge Magnum
Dodge Magnum
The Dodge Magnum name has been used on a number of different automobiles. The most recent is a large rear-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year and produced through to 2008. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the...
. The base Chrysler 300 is not sold in Europe, instead all cars come with the 300C bodystyle/interior and a choice of either V6, diesel or V8 gasoline powerplants. All 300C Touring models, along with European 300C sedans and right-hand drive models are built by Magna Steyr
Magna Steyr
Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG is an automobile manufacturer based in Oberwaltersdorf, Austria, with its primary manufacturing location in Graz...
in Graz
Graz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
.
Diesel
In Europe and Australia, the 300C is available with a 3.0 L dieselDiesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
V6 engine
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
(internal code OM642
Mercedes-Benz OM642 engine
The Mercedes-Benz OM642 engine is a 3.0-liter, 72° 24-valve, aluminum block diesel V6 engine manufactured by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG as a replacement for the Mercedes-Benz inline-5 and -6 engines....
) developed by Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
. It produces 218 hp and 376 lbft of torque and will soon be available with NOx BlueTec
BlueTec
BlueTec is Daimler AG's marketing name for engines equipped with advanced NOx reducing technology for vehicle emissions control in diesel-powered vehicles...
clean-diesel technology. Fuel economy for the 300C diesel is rated at 26.2 miles per US gallon City, 42.8 miles per US gallon Highway and 34.9 miles per US gallon on the combined cycle. Acceleration from 0-60 mph happens in 7.9 seconds while the top speed remains the same as the petrol V6 (140 mph (62.6 m/s)).
ASC Helios 300
American Specialty Cars
American Specialty Cars is an automobile supplier of highly engineered and designed roof systems, body systems and other specialty-vehicle systems for the world’s automakers...
created a convertible version of the Chrysler 300C, dubbed the ASC Helios 300, and unveiled it at the North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in early 2005. Despite rumors, Chrysler has confirmed that the vehicle will not be produced.
Executive Series 300
The Walter P. Chrysler Executive Series 300 is an extended wheelbase version shown at the 2006 New York Auto ShowNew York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
. It adds six inches (152 mm) to the rear passenger compartment and will be built by Accubuilt.
The extended wheelbase 300 competes with the Lincoln Town Car
Lincoln Town Car
The Lincoln Town Car is a full-size luxury sedan that was sold by the upscale Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company; it was produced from 1981 to the 2011 model years...
and Cadillac DTS
Cadillac DTS
The Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury sedan produced by General Motors, an American automobile company. The DTS replaced the Cadillac DeVille as General Motors' largest luxury car for the 2006 model year...
in the American livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
market.
Awards
The 300C was the 2005 Motor TrendMotor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
Car of the Year
Car of the Year
Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
and was on Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
's Ten Best list
Car and Driver Ten Best
Car and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:# The vehicle must be on sale by January...
for 2005 and 2006. It also won the North American Car of the Year
North American Car of the Year
The North American Car of the Year is an automobile award voted annually in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The jury consists of no more than 50 automotive journalists.-Example:-Pre-1994:-1994-1999:-2000-2009:...
and Canadian Car of the Year
Canadian Car of the Year
Canadian Car of the Year winners, as chosen by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada:-Canadian Car of the Year:-2011:Canadian Car of the Year winners, as chosen by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada:...
Best New Luxury Car awards. During its debut year, it was promoted as being one of the most awarded new cars ever.
Second generation
A redesigned 300 was introduced in 2011. Exterior changes include a revised body, bi-xenon HID projector headlights, LEDLEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
daytime running strips within the headlights, modified tail lights with LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
s and a horizontally slotted front grill. The car also features an updated version of the Chrysler brand's winged emblem, which dropped the blue ribbon center dating back to 1930s. Thinner roof pillars and a more raked windshield will contribute to improved visibility. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof will offer twice the outward visibility of an average sunroof. The new 300 has optional 20-inch polished-aluminum wheels. Interior upgrades included a new instrument panel with "soft-touch" materials throughout, 8.4 inch Uconnect Touch
Chrysler UConnect
-Technology:Most in-car internet systems use mobile phone networks to provide internet service. Novatel and other companies sell wireless routers that use CDMA or GSM mobile networks to provide Wifi in the car...
, new steering wheel and center console. Both seat-mounted and curtain side airbags were made standard.
The predecessors' 2.7- and 3.5-liter engines were replaced with Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 292 hp and 260 lbft of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI
Hemi engine
A Hemi engine is an internal combustion engine in which the roof of each cylinder's combustion chambers is of hemispherical form.- History :...
V8 engine remained available with 363 horsepower. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 will also be available in Europe.
The 2011 model is offered in Touring, Limited, 300C, and 300C AWD configurations. Touring and Limited trims will come with the Pentastar V6 while the 300C line will offer the 5.7.
A 300S trim was introduced in 2011 New York International Auto Show
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
, which featured a blacked-out grille and headlamps, as well as 20-inch polished-face aluminum wheels with black painted pockets, and a 300C Executive series. The 300S also includes a 10 speaker Beats Audio audio system.
The 300C will be marketed as Lancia Thema in all European markets except the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland, where it will retain the Chrysler marque.
SRT8
An SRT8 version was unveiled at the 2011 New York International Auto ShowNew York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
, powered by a 6.4-liter 392 HEMI
Hemi engine
A Hemi engine is an internal combustion engine in which the roof of each cylinder's combustion chambers is of hemispherical form.- History :...
V8 engine.
The 6.4 392 Hemi engine is also used in other Chrysler Group SRT vehicles
Street and Racing Technology
Street & Racing Technology is a high-performance automobile group within Chrysler LLC. SRT began as "Team Viper" to develop the Dodge Viper. It later merged with "Team Prowler", the developers of the Plymouth Prowler, to become Specialty Vehicle Engineering . This was renamed Performance Vehicle...
. With 465 hp, the new 300 SRT8 can go from zero to 60 mi/h in the high 4 seconds range.
In addition to the increase in power, the SRT8 will receive some exterior restyling to include a lower front fascia, large exhaust tips, removal of chrome trim (replaced with body color trim,) and large 20-inch aluminum wheels. The car is also lowered by a half-inch and rides on a new, sportier suspension. Lastly, the car gets a large Brembo brake package.
Engines
| Chrysler | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Years | |||||||||||||||
| Touring | V6 V6 engine A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft... Pentastar |
owspan="2" style="text-align:center;|3604 cc | V8 V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.... HEMI |
5654 cc | 363 PS @ 5150 rpm | 527 newton metre @ 4250 rpm | 2011- | |||||||||||||
| 300 SRT-8 | 6.4L 392 Hemi V8 engine | 6430 cc | 471 PS | 630 newton metre | 2012- | |||||||||||||||
| "turbodiesel" | 3.0 V6 VM Motori VM Motori VM Motori S.p.A. is a diesel engine manufacturing company in Cento, Italy, in Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region which is also home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati.- History :... |
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| Lancia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Petrol | V6 V6 engine A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft... Pentastar |
tyle="text-align:center;|3604 cc | 340 newton metre @ 4650 rpm | V6 V6 engine A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft... VM Motori VM Motori VM Motori S.p.A. is a diesel engine manufacturing company in Cento, Italy, in Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region which is also home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati.- History :... |
owspan="2" style="text-align:center;|2987 cc | 440 newton metre @ 1600-2800 rpm | 239 PS @ 4000 rpm | convertible Convertible A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away having windows which wind-down inside the doors, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle... bearing the new 5.7 litre HEMI engine with 353 hp and 353 lbft torque. It had rear wheel drive and a four speed automatic transmission. It was capable of 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds. Monteverdi High Speed The Monteverdi High Speed was a grand tourer automobile built by Monteverdi in Basel, Switzerland from 1967 to 1970. Contemporary rivals included the British Jensen Interceptor.... inspired concept 300, employing the Dodge Viper Dodge Viper The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January... engine. It was inspired by the a 1970s Swiss-built sedan powered by Chrysler. Total U.S. sales
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