- Spy photographers catch the 2012 Chrysler 300 sans camo.
- 2012 Chrysler 300 is expected to offer the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as its base engine.
- The new Chrysler goes on sale late next spring.
DETROIT — As part of its ongoing product overhaul, Chrysler plans to introduce a heavily face-lifted successor to its full-size 300 sedan late next spring as a 2012 model.
The latest spy shots of an undisguised prototype show the car's new front and rear fascias. There's a new grille and headlights with projector-beam lamps and LED lighting strips, as well as a new front airdam and hood.
The revised taillamps are more detailed and upscale in appearance, with new chrome accents. The revised rear bumper shrouds dual exhaust pipes.
The 2012 Chrysler 300 is expected to offer the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as its base engine. Eventually, the automaker also plans to install an eight-speed automatic transmission built under license from ZF, but not until 2013.
Chrysler provided the first glimpse of the revamped 300 more than 20 months ago, in an early 2009 pre-bankruptcy filing with the U.S. Treasury.
After management control of the company was handed over to Fiat, additional details of future products were handed out to investors and the media, including the news that Fiat plans to merge the Chrysler brand with its own Lancia line.
Inside Line says: A Lancia companion to the Chrysler 300? Probably not a good idea. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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jennyhop says:
06:05 AM, 11/17/2011
OMG this is crazy! LA AUTO SHOW 2011 started yesterday and there are tons of high resolution photos of the 2012 Chrysler 300 and many more! You've got to see it, it's amazing!
http://www.wisecarshopper.com/2011/11/17/2011-la-auto-show-2012-chrysler-300-new-luxurious-sedan/
swedane says:
12:08 PM, 11/07/2010
Hmmm...... !
The W124 platform was discarded in 1996 when replaced with W210 !
As far as handdowns to Chrysler this is the case : the W 210 was considered but discarded in the early stages of development - what happened was that the LX platform is a Chryco development using underpinnings from W210-11 and W220 !
The new 300 rides on a platform that was to be called the LY - but is actually called the LX, it is the same platform that is being used building the W212 & W218 ( New Gen E & CLS )
So, its new as in BRANDNEW !
Furthermore it will receive either an MB derived 7 speed and/or an 8-speed ZF/Torqueflite !!
So, stop the Chrysler bashing and try to recognize the work done by the New ChryCo !!
rabbitgti says:
11:25 AM, 11/05/2010
You suppose they facelifted it this way so that they could try and take advantage of the limousine market now that the Town Car is going away?
frankalfa says:
10:24 AM, 11/05/2010
I don't think you guys are seeing the same car I am! This Chrysler 300C looks great! It looks very similar to the Chrysler 200C show car! I can't wait to see the interior! They have done and exceptional job of making this car look fresh, smooth and classy!!!!
Just because it doesn't look like a Ferrari or have sports car styling, that doesn't make it look ugly! This is a very beautiful, smooth, classy, high quality looking big car! It looks like it has taken more of a Cadillac, Mercedes, Audi, Bentley style direction. They have tranformed a very dated, hard looking car into a very new looking, rounded edged, smooth looking car that has the striking, classy, smooth presents of the new Jeep Cherokee!
Those looking for a car that is High Luxury, Style and Quality this is certainly a great car to fulfill that niche. This car looks very "Bentley" Looking! FIAT / Chrysler are really filling out their offerings and fleshing out their car line in all of the market niches. FIAT / Chrysler have been rolling out a lot of winners this year and this car is no different. I just saw the new Regal and it looks terrible. The styling is horrible! I think FIAT / Chrysler are doing a great job of breathing new life in their cars. With the new Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Duango, Challenger, Charger, Chrysler 200C, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Journey, Dodge Avenger, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, etc. have all be revised and made much more appealing! Good Job FIAT / Crysler and keep up the good work!
a1c_scg says:
08:24 AM, 11/05/2010
The words 'heavily face-lifted successor' say it all. I mean really. You guys are complaining about the looks of a car that has used this platform now for 5 years w/ no advancements, when it's a hand me down Mercedes platform to begin w/??? Hah, I think this car has much greater concerns that it's 'nose job'. Like how it's competitors have chassis' that are nearly a decade newer.
mklrivowner says:
04:24 AM, 11/05/2010
What did they do, and how fast can it be undone?!
The flatter, broader, sharper front end of the previous 300's gave a sort of stately poise to the vehicle. Where this just looks like the engineers didn't have large enough papers to get the design to the right proportion.
gordancin says:
03:55 AM, 11/05/2010
This new "lighter" mainstream look really makes sense if there are real plans to bring a "formal" flagship based on the Chrysler Imperial Concept to market. I have the feeling that if they kept the formal "Bentley" look on the 300, people would have less interest in the vehicle above it. Watch out Hyundai... your Genesis and Equus are about to feel some real competition... ;-)
texanatheart says:
12:22 AM, 11/05/2010
It looks like they took my beloved 300C and gave it a nose job... now the nose is unnaturally skinny, but the lines on the rear haven't changed much, giving it the appearance of a fat @$$... I am very interested to see what the SRT boys have in store for their version of the car with the 392...
vkmaxima says:
09:56 PM, 11/04/2010
Is it me or does it have a combination of an Audi A8 and a Bently?
pngrant54 says:
09:17 PM, 11/04/2010
Version # 1 looked more Bentley like with it's prominant grill. I think it was a mistake to graft a 200 "look" nose on to it, Frankly it does not look right. The side view and rear are more crisp and interesting. I'm just not sure about the front until I see it in person.