2012 Chrysler 300 Launch Review
CHRYSLER 300 REVIEW
Vehicle type: Upper Large Sedan
Variants Reviewed | |||
Model | Power/Torque | 0-100km/h | Fuel Use |
3.6 litre petrol V6 | 210kW/340Nm | 7.0s | 9.4l/100km |
3.0 litre turbodiesel V6 | 176kW/550Nm | 7.8s | 7.1l/100km |
6.4 litre petrol V8 | 347kW/631Nm | 4.8s (US) | 13.0l/100km |
Chrysler’s new 300 sedan comes with a degree of expectation. Three years into the Fiat-Chrysler strategic alliance, the group is on a bit of a roll.
Its recent products, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and overseas Dodge Dart, have drawn considerable praise and there’s no reason - you’d think - that the new 300 can’t be similarly impressive.
A first look at the new car reveals an evolution of the previous 300C’s styling. It has the same high beltline, low roof and wheel-at-each-corner proportions, but with more contemporary detailing than the semi-retro of before.
Engine options range from the 3.6 litre Pentastar petrol V6 and 3.0 litre VM Motori turbodiesel V6 found in the Grand Cherokee, to a newly enlarged 6.4 litre Hemi petrol V8 in the range-topping SRT8.
The diesel and SRT8 engines continue to use the previous model’s Mercedes-sourced five-speed automatic.
The petrol V6 models employ a version of the ZF eight-speed auto found in several Jaguar, BMW, and even Rolls-Royce models.
All models come impressively specced and prices range from $43,000 for the 300 Limited V6 petrol, to $66,000 for the SRT8. Opting for the diesel in Limited, C, and Luxury grades carries a $5,000 premium.
TMR was able to rack up plenty of kilometers in all spec levels and drivetrains at the 300’s recent launch at a very wet Phillip Island.
INTERIOR
Those familiar with the cheap-feeling plastic and retro-styled interior of the previous 300C will be very impressed with the new model.
Like the Grand Cherokee, the influence of ex-Mercedes Chrysler interior design boss Klaus Busse is obvious in the quality of material choice, colours and overall aesthetic.
A centrally-mounted analog clock remains, but contemporary colours and soft touch plastics are the order of the day.
At the top end of the range, the wood inserts on the Luxury are real wood, and the carbon fibre inserts in the SRT8 interior are real carbon fibre.
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