Chrysler 300 2015 News

Manufacturers including BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Peugeot and Citroen have issued recalls via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

NSW Highway Patrol evaluating high-power four-door replacements for Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.

More than 47,000 cars recalled nationally to install software designed to minimise risk of cars rolling away if not parked properly.

Updated Chrysler 300 unveiled at LA motor show.A 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will continue to power performance versions of the facelifted Chrysler 300 in Australia.Chrysler has dropped the SRT model in North America to focus on Dodge as its performance car brand.The existing Dodge Charger coupe and Challenger sedan are fitted with 6.4-litre engines in SRT guise and a supercharged 6.2-litre engine in the "Hellcat" variants.Chrysler CEO Al Gardner says the forced-induction engine is reserved for Dodge."Australia will get the 6.4," he says. "We appreciate there are enthusiasts over there and it's a market we won't ignore."The announcement came as Chrysler launched an update of its second-generation 300 at this week's Los Angeles Motor Show.The changes amount to a 30 per cent bigger grille that gives the car a more purposeful look without reverting to the chromed front end that earned the first generation vehicle a reputation as a "Mafia staff car".That enlarged mesh area is now adorned with a bigger Chrysler winged logo and flanked by revised headlamps with more pronounced C-shape daytime running lights.The rear lamps are also LEDs and Chrysler chief designer Ralph Gilles says the square design gives the flagship large sedan a point of difference at a time when most makers are stretching their tail-lamps out."The most important part about the 300 is the silhouette," Gilles says."Everyone knows what this car is as it approaches and it's the same for the profile — it is unique."The interior changes are topped by a seven-inch configurable information display and a rotary dial transmission selector in the centre console.The steering wheel now has larger buttons.A software update for the 300's UConnect infotainment improves connectivity and shows the satnav display in 3D on the 8.4-inch touchscreen.Under the big bonnet the show cars were fitted with 3.6-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8s matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission to improve smoothness and trim fuel use.Output on the V6 has been boosted from 210kW/340Nm to 224kW/358Nm. The 5.7-litre V8 is good for 270kW/534Nm. Ironically the V8 is the more economical engine by virtue of its cylinder-on-demand technology that shuts down four pistons when coasting or on light throttle pressure.Chrysler has yet to announce power outputs or fuel economy for the Aussie-spec 6.4-litre engine, which is fitted with the same fuel-saving technology.V8 models will include a sports mode that sharpens transmission and throttle response and tightens the electric steering.The updated 300 is due in Australia next year. CarsGuide understands there will be little movement from the current $43,000-$66,000 range.

Well, Chrysler has done just that with the SRT V8 Hemi 300. The big American comes with a rich and heroic heritage stretching back through a long line of famed "letter cars" which combined high horsepower and indulgent luxury. It is this lineage which lays claim to being the first "muscle car". In the early 1950s Chrysler in the USA had a dowdy image -well engineered cars but no pizzazz! They hired stylist Virgil Exner to inject some life into their car designs in order to compete with the increasingly more stylish Ford and General Motors (GM) products. Exner's first effort was the `Forward Look' cars of 1955. The range topper in that year was a 'hero' car called the 300 to mark it as the first American production car to have a motor that produced 300 horsepower. Exner's basic premise was simple. Combine attractive and distinctive styling, excellent engineering, a high level of luxury, a big motor delivering outstanding performance then sell them at a nice premium price to people with lots of money. Hence they acquired the label of the "bankers' hot rod". Come 1957 and Exner excelled himself with a range of wide, long and low cars with towering fins. Chrysler's advertising agency came up with the slogan "Suddenly, it's 1960" and sales exploded. The 300C was the most stylish of these stylish automobiles. It is a well document fact that Exner's 1957 cars frightened GM so much they threw out their planned 1959 models and completely restyled every car in the entire range. By 1961 the letter cars-they were now up to '300H'-contained massive 413 cubic inch engines which catapulted them to 100kmph in a little over seven seconds. The letter cars ceased to be part of Chrysler's line up in 1965. Facing competition from Pontiac's cheaper and sexier GTO and a gang of other muscle and pony cars, the 300L was the last of the breed. Letter cars can vary in price. A couple of years ago, a rare 1960 300F went for almost half a million in the USA. A reasonable 300C fetches near $100,000. David Burrell is the editor of www.retroautos.com.au  

And the qualities have handed Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge the 2011 Chrysler Australia Dealer of the Year award. The dealership’s commitment to excellence was cited when the trophy was awarded during the Chrysler gala event last week. “All winners of the Dealer of the Year award share a common characteristic and that is a commitment to excellence,” said Veronica Johns, Chrysler Australia General Manager of Sales. “Satisfying customers when it comes to their motoring needs is the cornerstone of the Chrysler dealer award philosophy. “The Dealer of the Year award recognises benchmark performance of dealers in the network across all areas of their business, including customer service,” she said. The General Manager of Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Robbie Alessi, welcomed the accolade. “Central to all that we do at Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge is our commitment to our customers. This award is a testament to the commitment by all members of Alessi Chrysler Jeep Dodge to customer courtesy, care and professionalism.”