2012 Chrysler 300C Reviews

Mainstream sedans are traditionally on the sedate side in style and are aimed at sensible souls who don't want to stand out from the crowd. Not so the Chrysler 300C, this big American machine is aimed at grabbing attention from any angle and it comes as no surprise it's been labelled 'gangsta car'. Now approaching its

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used Chrysler 300C.

If you wan't to live out your American V8 muscle car fantasy with a new Chrysler 300 in the garage then it will have to be the top-whack SRT8 model at around $66,000.The previous 5.7 V8 has dissoed making way for a pair of less lively V6s with wheezy voices — the Pentastar 3.6 petrol (port not direct injection) and the (carry-over) VM-Motori 3.0-litre turbo diesel.This is version two of the chunky Chrysler 300  — essentially a comprehensive make over using the same chassis (from an earlier 1990s Mercedes-Benz E-Class) and sundry changes to the sheetmetal, interior and specification.Plenty of safety stuff from Chrysler's earlier links with Benz has trickled down into the new 300 some of it optional or available on higher grade models. The look has been influenced by Fiat which owns Chrysler so some elements of the Lancia Thema (European Chrysler 300) have transferred across.Is it a good lookin' "tough guy'' like the previous model? Not really. Put the two side by side and you'll see. The earlier one nails it while the new one looks like a committee effort, bit of this, bit of that with squinty headlights and overstyled tail lights.But Chrysler Australia has driven a hard bargain with its new Italian overlords and hits the market with a starting point of $43,000 for the 300 V6 Limited petrol complete with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, 18-inch alloys, decent audio, bi-xenon headlights, power front seats, rear view camera and the US equivalent of a five star crash rating.It is a serious temptation for someone shopping Holden Berlina or Falcon G6. The next step up is 300C which scores the leather treatment and more kit, then there's the 300C Luxury on top of that.The three grades are available with petrol and diesel V6 engines, diesel attracting a $5000 premium but with only a five-speed auto transmission. Those V6 engines are good for 210kW/340Nm on the petrol and 176kW/550Nm on the diesel. The 6.4-litre petrol V8 in SRT 8  generates 347kW/631Nm, comfortably out-powering anything from HSV or FPV.Fuel saving technology on the petrol V6 includes variable valve timing while the V8 gets cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing (on an overhead valve engine) but still only a five-speed auto. The petrol V6 is capable of returning 9.4-litres/100km, the diesel 7.1 and the V8 13.0.It's a weighty beast perched between 1800kg-2000kg model dependent. That's a lot of lard to be hauling around but Chrysler has honed the 300's suspension on all models to offer a surprisingly high level of comfort coupled with a sporty feel. The steering is also relatively direct and offers a respectable turning circle.But the smallish brakes on the SRT8 would last perhaps a couple of heavy applications from high speed before losing the plot. There's plenty of grip from the big tyres fitted to all models and  the venerable chassis has been reinforced with judicious application of high strength steel in key areas.On the road it's difficult to choose between the petrol V6 and the diesel, the former with a decided torque advantage offering strong roll on acceleration while the eight-speed tranny in the petrol captures available power and torque smoothly and efficiently to push the big 300 along with purpose.It's certainly a more engaging drive than a "Falcadore.'' The interior is a breath of fresh air with classic touches and splashes of the latest technology.

The American idol is on the way back, with all the gangsta attitude that made it a hit more than two years ago. The Chrysler 300C SRT8 has had a major makeover that goes right down to the road and all the way up to a thumping new 6.4-litre V8 engine. The number run includes 351 kiloWatts and 637 Newton-metres of torque, as well as a 0-100km/h sprint time in 4.7 seconds.The mean-streets look has been tamed a little, and there is a lot more to like in the cabin, but it's still an old-school muscle car that means the SRT8 tag - it stands for Street, Road, Track - has lost none of its impact. A two-day preview drive in Las Vegas is the ideal start to the new SRT8 experience, running down the glitter strip and out into the desert alongside the Grand Cherokee that's already had a tick from Carsguide ahead of its Australian return.The cheapest of the new 300Cs comes in from $45,000 and there will eventually be five models, topped by the SRT8 at close to $65,000. Chrysler Jeep Australia is keeping the exact number a secret until cars land in April, but the bottom line is fairly firm. There is plenty of justify the showroom sticker, from the belter engine to giant alloys and a loaded cabin with leather trim, a big touch-screen display and seriously good sound.The price point is a clever choice, since it positions the SRT8 above the Commodore SS-V and Falcon XR6 Turbo, but below the seriously speedy machines wearing Holden Special Vehicles and Ford Performances Vehicles badges.The basics are fairly basic in the chunky Chrysler, just like Australia's Falcon and Commodore, although the platform under the body is taken from the superseded Mercedes-Benz E Class sedan. The engine is in the nose, there is a five-speed auto gearbox, and drive goes through the area wheels.There is some neat stuff, like a rear-view camera and a system - a lot like the Nissan GT-R - that displays all sorts of performance information and can even log acceleration runs and measure cornering grip. The upgrade comes at a price, as the SRT has put on around 150 kilos since the previous model, although the engine has grown from 6.1 to 6.4 litres.The new 300C body is longer than the old one, which means more space in the back seat, and it's also been rounded-off compared with the chunky edges of the previous car. It's generally smoother and looks more, well, adult. There is a blacked-out grille and 20-inch alloys, subtle side skirts and a tiny blade spoiler on the boots. Oh, and blacked-out shotgun exhaust tips. The SRT work inside runs to well-bolstered front buckets and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, as well as embroided badges on the seats.There is no official ANCAP rating yet but the 300C is a top safety pick for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the USA. The airbag protection runs down to one for the driver's knees there are ESP and ABS as usual, with a huge lineup of extras including automatic wipers. Full details will not be available until the Australian cars land.The SRT8 was a Carsguide favourite and stays on the list, thanks to old-school muscle and a cabin that - like the updated Grand Cherokee - finally justifies a premium price and place. The seats are comfy, though short on support in turns, the display screen and sound are great, and it has all the luxury you expect for $65,000. But turn the key and the V8 thunder makes a statement that is backed when you hit the accelerator. The ultimate C-car really kicks hard from a standstill and has huge go when the rev counter spins past 4000.It's all V8 grunt and muscle but the engine has cylinder deactivation to boost economy, not that the gear-short auto really helps. Basic 300s have a new eight-speed automatic but the SRT's performance means its held back to five. The cornering grip is very good, with a predictable feel through the controls, although the steering is a bit woolly and the car wants to walk around on its big tyres in tight corners or anywhere with low-ish grip. When you're on a sandy desert road it can get quite lively.It's not as responsive as the HSV cars, but more punchy than the FPV Falcons. It feels less involving, but that will suit some people and it does have a very distinctive look.So the new 300C SRT8 is much more refined than it was, perhaps a little less playful, but still an old-school thumper that will work for a lot of muscle car fans down under. It's not as precise as the homegrown heroes but it's better than it was, although badly in need of a six-speed automatic.

After more than a year on the missing list, the Chrysler 300C is finally back.