- The 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series was introduced on Tuesday, starting at $40,145 and slotting in just below the top-of-the-line Chrysler 300 SRT8.
- Chrysler says the Chrysler 300 and 300 C Luxury Series sedans are the "most highly appointed sedans the brand has ever offered."
- Pricing on the 300 Luxury Series puts the Chrysler sedans in line with such competitors as the 2012 Audi A6 and 2012 Acura RL.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — The 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series was introduced on Tuesday, starting at $40,145 and slotting in just below the top-of-the-line Chrysler 300 SRT8. Chrysler describes the car, which goes on sale in the first quarter of 2012, as "the trophy for the tireless majority."
The price includes an $825 destination charge.
Chrysler says the Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series sedans are the "most highly appointed sedans the brand has ever offered." Chrysler says the special models are the first domestic sedans to get an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base model gets a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine while the 300C Luxury Series gets the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine.
Exterior cues on the Luxury Series include 20-inch polished face aluminum wheels on rear-wheel-drive versions and 19-inch aluminum wheels on the all-wheel-drive models. The exterior also gets a number of platinum chrome accents on the front fascia, exterior mirror caps and door handles.
The cabin is upgraded with a leather-wrapped instrument panel, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, Berber floor mats, LED-illuminate door handles and a power sunshade.
Pricing on the 300 Luxury Series puts the Chrysler sedans in line with such competitors as the 2012 Audi A6 and 2012 Acura RL. The base 2012 Acura RL starts at $48,585, including an $885 destination charge. The base 2012 Audi A6 starts at $42,575, including an $875 destination charge.
The 300 Luxury Series comes at an $11,150 premium over the base 2012 Chrysler 300. The base 2012 Chrysler 300 with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a five-speed AutoStick transmission starts at $28,995, including shipping.
The top-of-the-line 2012 Chrysler 300C Luxury Series with all-wheel-drive starts at $45,245, including an $825 destination charge. The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 starts at $48,995, including shipping.
The EPA says the 2012 Chrysler 300 with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission returns 19 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. In comparison, the 2012 Chrysler 300 with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission returns 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, according to the EPA.
Inside Line says: If Chrysler can successfully sell a 300C for over $40K it could be the mark of a true turnaround for the brand's fortunes.
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sblock says:
12:44 AM, 03/07/2012
That Chrysler is beautiful. Look at the tailoring of the interior !!
I Want one ! !
sblock says:
05:23 PM, 01/03/2012
Where is the Imperial ? I had read and seen photos of this car and they refered to it as
the" Imperial-Edition" Chrysler 300.
tbone85 says:
05:10 PM, 12/30/2011
Eyes, I'm going to assume you're not a condescending prick and simply don't know me. I have a fair knowledge about the last 4 decades of output at Chrysler since my father would only buy Chrysler when I was growing up and I was in college when the GLH hit.
The 8 speed provided a nice bump in highway mileage and from the accounts I've read driveability as well. Chrysler is partnered with Fiat, and I'm guessing their integration will move beyond the 500--which I think is fairly crappy.
Chrysler hung on by the skin of their teeth. Yes, there are large holes in their lineup. Yes, many of their vehicles could use a diet. However, the same can be said for the cars that this particular vehicle competes with. Lighter weight and fuel efficiency are very good things. That's not the same as being the ONLY thing. You don't like large vehicles. Not everyone is going to use that as their sole criteria for evaluating a vehicle intended to tote 5 people in comfort and style. It's not my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it isn't tasty.
dumpsty says:
12:45 PM, 12/29/2011
New Chrys 300C's had been selling for over $40k. The real test if to see if the Chrys 300 Lux Series (V6) will do well at prices over $40k. If they do well, then the 300C/SRT8 versions should be worth the additional fees.
openeyes1 says:
10:52 AM, 12/29/2011
@tbone85; Maybe if you knew something about Chrysler history when it nearly went under in the 1981-82, you would understand my point. They were once the US leader in small cars design, and technology in the 80's. Chrysler was the top American producer of pocket rockets, and water cooled turbo's. They excelled in development of four cylinder engines, that were powerful and fuel efficient.
Now they are giving us some well designed old name plates of the past, as well a classic new Ram truck front that no one has yet matched in style. However these vehicles come with a price, they are overweight, large, and suffer from high fuel consumption. Where is the baby Ram as replacement for the very popular Ford Ranger, pocket rocket hatchbacks with powerful for cylinders, and an oil burner for the 300 line (purchased from Mercedes).
colorado1974 says:
03:04 PM, 12/28/2011
@wiki: I'll give you some advice: "It's best to keep ones mouth close and let people think your a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."
Every time you open your mouth here you show the world you're a teenager who's pissed that he is driving his mom's minivan alone to the prom to work the sound booth.
Oh, being in the top 5 in US sales doesn't qualify as rock bottom.
There is a reason why Chrysler is winning so many awards. Why Jeep is the highest quality domestic manufacturer. Why Ram sales are up drastically when everyone else is down.
They have the best products.
wikiwiki says:
01:14 PM, 12/28/2011
"Simply look at what's happening at Chrysler and your arguments suddenly deflate rather quickly. Up 45% year to date? huh. Ram trucks up 18% when everyone else is flat? huh."
When you are at rock bottom, any minor sales increase will look statistically amazing. That's a good spin on your part. Hey, if you can fool people into spending over $40k on a car that is worth closer to $30k, more power to you. MOPAR is the king of gimmicks.
nefariousnigel says:
12:25 PM, 12/28/2011
Gorgeous ride.
tbone85 says:
09:18 AM, 12/28/2011
"The two ton plus Chrysler 300, now gets 19MPG vs 18MPG city, its clear Chrysler is making major inroads in improving fuel efficiency in their cars."
Same old, same old. You failed to mention the highway mileage moving from 27 to 31.
"For the money, you can get a standard Lexus GS (the new one) or better yet, a Jaguar XF."
2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series starts at $40,145
2013 Lexus GS starts at $46,900
2012 Jaguar XF starts at $53,000
At this price point, those cars are not equivalent in cost to the Chrysler.
colorado1974 says:
09:05 AM, 12/28/2011
:wikiwiki: ahh we meet again with your idiotic, immature remarks. 5 minutes behind the wheel and it's obvious the 300 is superior in nearly every way, especially so when you factor in the price.
After all, it is the most award winning car in automotive history.
Just like this year the Grand Cherokee became the most award winning SUV in history.
Just like last year the Ram became the most award winning Truck in history.
Simply look at what's happening at Chrysler and your arguments suddenly deflate rather quickly. Up 45% year to date? huh. Ram trucks up 18% when everyone else is flat? huh.
@uddriver: this car shares nothing with the last generation. the current 300/charger represent a $1billion investment. These are completely new from the ground up. I must say that as a dealer, we never really saw any volume of cars with front end problems.