What Is It?
Chrysler 300C
What's Special About It?
Chrysler ditches all notions of cab forward, front-wheel drive and V6-powered 300s and goes old school, meaning a long hood, short deck, rear-drive architecture with a honkin' Hemi V8 supplying the thrust.
Though details were sketchy, Chrysler officials put the Hemi's output at "over 300 horsepower and over 350 pound-feet (of torque)." A five-speed automatic with "Autostick" manual-shift capability sends the prodigious power to the rear tires, and stability and traction control systems help keep those frisky horses all under control. More than a straight-line car, the 300C chassis features all independent suspension with a multilink setup out back and massive wheels (20-inchers) wearing high-speed rated tires that are sized 245/45 up front and 275/40 out back.
One could hardly dispute that this is an aggressively handsome sedan. The strong grille is all Chrysler, the muscular profile reminds us a bit of the Lincoln LS (though we think it works even better on this bigger car) and the rear end is clean and classy. The cabin has a flavor all its own; if wood or metallic trim doesn't do it for you, perhaps the 300C's tortoise shell steering wheel, shifter and door accents will float your boat.
Is production likely? Most definitely; Chrysler plans to debut the car on the original 300's 50th anniversary, which would mean early in 2004.
Why Should You Care?
A front-drive, V6-powered sedan isn't going to pose much of a threat to the German's stronghold on powerful sport sedans. If the production car stays true to this concept, Chrysler could make some big wheels in the fatherland lose sleep. — John DiPietro
Chrysler 300C
What's Special About It?
Chrysler ditches all notions of cab forward, front-wheel drive and V6-powered 300s and goes old school, meaning a long hood, short deck, rear-drive architecture with a honkin' Hemi V8 supplying the thrust.
Though details were sketchy, Chrysler officials put the Hemi's output at "over 300 horsepower and over 350 pound-feet (of torque)." A five-speed automatic with "Autostick" manual-shift capability sends the prodigious power to the rear tires, and stability and traction control systems help keep those frisky horses all under control. More than a straight-line car, the 300C chassis features all independent suspension with a multilink setup out back and massive wheels (20-inchers) wearing high-speed rated tires that are sized 245/45 up front and 275/40 out back.
One could hardly dispute that this is an aggressively handsome sedan. The strong grille is all Chrysler, the muscular profile reminds us a bit of the Lincoln LS (though we think it works even better on this bigger car) and the rear end is clean and classy. The cabin has a flavor all its own; if wood or metallic trim doesn't do it for you, perhaps the 300C's tortoise shell steering wheel, shifter and door accents will float your boat.
Is production likely? Most definitely; Chrysler plans to debut the car on the original 300's 50th anniversary, which would mean early in 2004.
Why Should You Care?
A front-drive, V6-powered sedan isn't going to pose much of a threat to the German's stronghold on powerful sport sedans. If the production car stays true to this concept, Chrysler could make some big wheels in the fatherland lose sleep. — John DiPietro
Add A Comment »