2013 Chrysler 300 Reviews

.star {width:135px;}#article-corpus {width:100%; padding-right: 0;}Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core and Holden Commodore SS-V Redline go head-to-head on this comparative review. 

The new Chrysler 300 SRT8 won’t be winning any beauty awards but that’s not what it’s aiming for – the SRT8 is more interested in showing off what’s hiding beneath the surface.Here's the choice for around $66 grand in the heavy-hitter sedan department; HSV's 6.2-litre, V8 ClubSport at $66,900, Falcon F6 (blown six banger) at $64,390 or the new 6.4-litre, V8 Chrysler 300 SRT8 at a neat $66,000.The Falcon is a livewire that sounds like a vacuum cleaner, the HSV has good credentials and handling like a buckin' bronco while the Chrysler (reviewed here) is a Barry Crocker (shocker) to look at but outguns them all in terms of engine capacity and output. The bulky Chrysler tips the scales around 2.0 tonnes but that doesn't matter a hoot when you have 347kW and 631Nm rumbling up front.It's enough to push the SRT8 from 0-100kmh in the sub 5.0 second bracket. Drive goes to the huge 20-inch rear wheels through a five-speed auto with paddle shift and multiple modes. Variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation help efficiency but the donk remains an overhead valve unit. It likes a drink of premium too with a combined claimed average of 13.0-litres/100km.The cylinder deactivation system operates all the time and isn't the smoothest mechanical system ever invented. Its operation is accompanied by a noticeable graunching noise. But the SRT8 gets up when you select the sports mode and deactivate the over intrusive stability control.Sport mode sharpens up a range of functions converting the big Chry from barge to ballistic. It a remarkable transformation apart from that deactivation system constantly intervening when you get off the throttle. They need to install a dual mode exhaust too because the existing system is neutered. We would like to find out if the sports mode can be permanently selected instead of the car defaulting to nanny mode every time you switch off.The big, ugly Chrysler is a newbie in this company but what have they done to its looks? The previous model had real presence on the road - a large, American car look with overtones of Bentley. This new model has horrible piggy squint headlights, horrible black plastic honeycomb grille and a horrible chamfered rear end that looks like it's been chopped off at an angle by a giant's cheese slicer.And it isn’t much better inside if you like a premium soft-feel environment. Chrysler has perfected a method of skinning hard surfaces with a form of stitched leather for a "classy look." And that's what it is - a look only because the touch is hard-as-the-hobs-of-hell - cheap, nasty.Still, other aspects of the interior are pretty good with a Harman Kardon premium audio system, very large touch screen with satnav and reverse camera, electronic vehicle info' centre, sporty wheel, stunning light blue instrument back lighting, multiple media connection options. We like the numerous Benz-style safety systems too.Pity about the annoying rattle in the vicinity of the right rear door and the lack of a spare. There's plenty of room for five inside and the boot is huge.In normal driving, the SRT8 is a big, comfy limo that pampers passengers to a high luxury level. Let it loose on a tight section of road or racetrack and it's like Jeckyll and Hyde. Lucky it has four piston Brembos all round.

While there are fears for the future of the once staples of Aussie motoring, Ford's Falcon and the Holden Commodore, Chrysler proves there is life in the old dog yet. The second generation 300 is here, better than before, still with its Mafia staff car looks. It's big American six, V8 and diesel motoring at its best.The 300C is not a large seller here but sales are on the rise. There are about 70,000 sold a year in the US, nearly double that of 2011 and more than twice that of the Commodore. Economies of scale and the high level of sales means it will continue to be built, while our big cars look uncertain.In Australia there about 1200 300s sold a year, well down on Commodore (30,000) and Falcon (14,000). It's well up on 2011 (360), although the old model was not available for several months, and the 874 in 2010.The review vehicle was the 300C, one up from the base Limited, currently $45,864 on the road. The 300C is $52,073 drive away and it comes with the 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol V6 engine and a class-leading eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.Among the 300's features are rain brake support, ready alert braking, electronic stability control, hill start assist, all speed traction control, and ABS four-wheel disc brakes, seven airbags (including next generation multi-stage front air bags, driver inflatable knee-bolster air bag, supplemental front seat side airbags, supplemental side curtain front and rear airbags).Other goodies are a rear 60/40 folding seat, a cargo net, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, power front driver and passenger seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, power front windows with one-touch up and down, adaptive forward lighting and Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with auto levelling and daytime running lights, heated side mirrors with power fold function, 18-inch aluminium wheels, a tyre pressure system, rear parking sensors and camera, keyless entry and stop-start button, an alarm, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a 506 watt amplifier and nine speakers, satellite navigation, CD, DVD, MP3, a USB port, heated and ventilated leather seats, automatic wipers and headlights.It's packed with gear normally reserved for a vehicle of $100,000-plus. Underneath is a Mercedes-Benz E-Class chassis and suspension, while outside are the macho American looks.Inside there are 1930s art deco touches with better quality plastics. The cabin is fantastic at night when the glassy deco-like analogue instrumentation illuminates with an eerie pale blue metallic glow that's glorious, contrasting with the large centre touch screen that's 21st century in design and execution.You sit low and wide with great shoulder and leg room. Ahead of the driver is a dashboard laid out logically. The thick indicator stalk on the left is all Benz with wiper controls. The simple gear lever action is also all Benz, but finicky to work and I couldn't for the love of me change up or down manually. There are no paddle shifters.The steering wheel is large and a bit cumbersome and the horrid throwback foot-operated park brake requires gymnastics levels of left knee articulation. The brake pedal was too high off the floor as well and the front seats lacked support.The rear doors are wide-opening and there's a good amount of room all round. The 462-litre boot is big and boxy and easy to load and unload. The rear seats fold so longer items can be loaded into the cabin.The 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 is a gem, responsive with a nice sporty growl under acceleration. It features a high-pressure diecast cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration, dual overhead camshafts with roller finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters, variable valve timing (for enhanced efficiency and power), multi-port fuel injection, and dual three-way catalytic converters (for reduced emissions).There's 210kW of grunt at 6350rpm and 340Nm of torque at 4650rpm. The engine returns impressive fuel economy of 9.4L/100km overall. I saw 10.6L over a weekend of driving, including up and down the Kuranda Range and across my fun piece of tarmac between Walkamin and Dimbulah.That's better than the four cylinder Honda CR-V I drove the weekend before which used 10.9L. The Chrysler only had 16km on the clock when I picked it up.The V6 can reach 100km/h in 7 seconds and roar on to 240km/h if you dare. I was suitably impressed with the refinement of the 300C. Road, wind and engine noise levels were low, even on coarse bitumen and when punching into a head wind.At parking speeds the electro-hydraulic power steering feels heavy, artificial, and slow, even though the turning circle is a tight 11.5m. When it comes to changing direction, there is no point hurrying the 300C around corners. The standard 18-inch rubber certainly looks the part and will stick to the road like glue. But the steering feels low geared, is not particularly sharp, and quite disconnected to the road.It's not a sports handler yet tackled the undulating and bumpy stretch of road between the Arriga sugar mill and Oaky Creek Farm quite well. It remained stable and flat and loves the open highway. There's pliant ride quality with bumps both big and small soaked up ably by the massive tyres.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?The diesel version of Chrysler's big in your face sedan, although you wouldn't know it. There is nothing to distinguish the diesel from petrol models which equals no cringe value.How much?At a starting price of $48,000 the diesel will set you back $5000 more than the entry level petrol V6, but it's worth it because you can have your cake and eat it too.What are competitors?Nothing really, not with the same road presence. Perhaps the Caprice, or maybe the Falcon or Commodore but none of them are available with a diesel engine.What’s under the bonnet?The 3.0-litre VM Motori turbo diesel delivers an unparalleled combination of outstanding performance and economy. It produces an outstanding 176kW of power and 550Nm of torque from a low 1800 revs. Featuring a common-rail, direct injection fuel system, variable geometry turbocharger and integrated diesel particulate filter to help reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, the engine is engineered to meet stringent EURO 5 emission standards.How does it go?Impressive. It's hard to believe you can drive a big car like this with this kind of performance that still returns these amazing fuel figures, especially at this price. A German bahnstormer would cost you twice the price.Is it economical?Combined fuel consumption figures are 7.1 litres/100km with 18-inch wheels, and 7.2 litres/100km with 20-inch wheels. We were getting 7.4 after almost 600km which shows it's eminently gettable.Is it green?Middle of the road. Gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide (in comparison the Prius gets 5). Produces 185 or 191g/km of CO2 depending on whether it's running 18 or 20 inch wheels.Is it safe?Doesn't get a rating from ANCAP. But rebadged as a Lancia it scored full points in Euro tests, with seven airbags including a driver's knee bag and features like electronic stability control and electronic pedestrian protection, plus front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.Is it comfortable?Big and reasonably quiet. The entry level models features cloth upholstery, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power front driver and passenger seats with fourway lumbar adjustment, and power front windows, with one-touch up and down.What’s it like to drive?Shame it doesn't get the 8 speed auto like the V6. But then again with this much torque the five-speed is more than adequate. 0-100km/h takes 7.8 secs, with strong low to mid range response as you might expect.Is it value for money?Big chunk of car for the money. In addition, adaptive forward lighting and Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps with auto levelling and daytime running lights ensure premium visibility day or night.Would we buy one?We'd be tempted. Not sure about the styling, but if you like to be different this is the one for you.Chrysler 300 CRD DieselPrice: from $48,000Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmSafety rating: n/aSpare: space-saverEngine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl diesel, 176kW/550NmTransmission: 5-speed auto; RWDBody: 5066m (L); 1905m (w); 1488m (h)Weight: 2042kgThirst: 7.1L/100km, 185g/km