Chrysler 300 News

Fiat Chrysler Australia is awaiting the final call from NSW Police Force top brass before pushing 'go' on a large order of specially-built Chrysler 300 SRTs.

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

NSW Highway Patrol insider suggests European and US alternatives are on the cards after the end of Falcon and Commodore as we know them.

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

Victoria Police have taken delivery of the fastest and most expensive police car to earn its stripes. And it's not just for show.

High-speed crooks may soon be harder to catch once Holden and Ford stop local production of police pursuit cars.Highway patrol forces across Australia have used Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons for more than three decades to nab speeding drivers and criminals trying to outrun the law.But the cars that will replace the Falcon and Commodore pursuit vehicles over the next two years will be slower and more expensive than the current models.The switch to imported cars has police across the country scrambling to find suitable replacements for highway patrol vehicles.They might look like family cars, but the latest generation pursuit vehicles used by NSW Police are the most capable ever put into service.It's not only their blistering acceleration that has helped stop pursuits before they start because, according to police, the bad guys know they can't get away.More importantly, say frontline officers, it's the stopping power that gives them the edge.Both Ford and Holden pursuit cars used by the NSW highway patrol have been fitted with police-only high-performance brakes ever since a series of brake failures led to a stringent test being introduced at the Police Driver Training centre in Goulburn more than 10 years ago.Other Australian states and territories do not have the same "pursuit test" braking requirement, leaving some officers concerned about a return to "the bad old days"."Before we had bigger brakes fitted to our cars, they would turn to mush after a few hard stops, the brake pads would eventually disintegrate," said one high-ranking officer with 20 years' experience."Ever since we had the better brakes fitted, it has enabled us to slow down through intersections more safely and more reliably ... and then accelerate again to catch up to the bad guys. It's a public safety issue as well as an officer-safety issue," he said.Other officers who spoke to News Corp Australia said there have been fewer pursuits since "the crooks realise their brakes run out before ours do."An officer with 12 years' highway patrol experience said vehicle performance was "not just about catching getaway cars"."Highway patrol are often the first cars at the scene of armed hold-ups, violent domestics, serious injury crashes and other life-threatening situations," the officer said. "The general duties cars are often tied up, whereas we're always roaming. If I've got to save someone from being stabbed, you want to get there as quickly and as safely as possible."The highway patrol certification test used exclusively by NSW Police involves the car accelerating and braking repeatedly for an extended period of time to simulate a pursuit or a response to an emergency.Both Ford and Holden had to upgrade their brakes on NSW highway patrol cars once the test was introduced.Cars that don't make the grade are not commissioned for highway patrol use. For example, the Toyota Aurion V6 did not pass NSW Police brake tests even though the car is used by highway patrol in other states.A national police advisory agency closed submissions for future vehicle replacements last week, with luxury brands dominating the list of tenders, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.However, these vehicles are likely to be deemed too expensive.This leaves limited options, including performance cars such as the Ford Mustang coupe, Volkswagen Golf R hatch or wagon or the Chrysler 300 SRT performance sedan, all of which are in the $50,000 to $60,000 price range.The current Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore pursuit cars cost about $48,000 -- before significant government discounts are taken into account.NSW Police said it would start to evaluate new vehicles later this year."As far as a national vehicle is concerned, that is clearly a longer term ambition (but) there is a layer of complexity around that," the statement said. "We have very specific technical requirements."NSW Police cars are more advanced than those in other states, with all 400 cars equipped with in-car video, computer terminals, and automatic number plate reading technology.Other states have just begun rolling out number plate detection cameras on a handful of cars, whereas NSW has started equipping general duties cars with the technology.Meanwhile, substitutes for future general duties vehicles are expected to be a formality, because police are already driving them.The Toyota Camry has begun replacing the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon general duties sedans, while the Hyundai SantaFe has started replacing the Ford Territory SUV.The Hyundai iLoad and Volkswagen Transporter vans have been replacing utes as prisoner vehicles for several years.What highway patrol drive nowHolden Commodore SS V8Price: $48,6900 to 100km/h: 5.0 secondsHigh performance brakes (the same used by US police)Ford Falcon XR6 TurboPrice: $45,6900 to 100km/h: 5.0 secondsHigh performance brakes (race-bred, made by Brembo)The optionsFord Mustang V8Price: $59,9900 to 100km/h: 5.0 secondsPros and cons: High performance brakes (race-bred, made by Brembo), similar acceleration to current cars. Coupe body not as practical as a sedan but could be used for certain areas (police have used coupes before, including the Valiant Charger, Ford Falcon XB and XC Coupe and Holden Monaro). The Mustang needs a special bracket to store a full size spare tyre (a police safety requirement) because an inflator kit is standard. Fortunately the boot is bigger than before and police computer equipment is getting smaller.Chrysler 300 SRT V8Price: $59,0000 to 100km/h: 5.0 secondsPros and cons: High performance brakes (race-bred, made by Brembo), similar acceleration to current cars and it has a big boot that can fit a full size spare (a police safety requirement). The Chrysler 300 SRT V8 doesn't handle corners as sharply as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon performance sedans. Question mark over reliability, and it has higher service costs. Dealer network not as vast as Holden or Ford.Volkswagen Golf RPrice: $55,0000 to 100km/h: 5.0 secondsPros and cons: High performance brakes, similar acceleration to current cars and it has constant all-wheel-drive grip, which is ideal for tight city streets and wet or icy roads. The Golf R is available as a wagon to fit extra gear, but a full size spare would need to be accommodated (inflator kit or space saver is standard). The cheaper Golf GTI is not as suitable because it's slower, front-wheel-drive only and does not get performance brakes as standard.Holden Insignia VXRPrice: $51,9900 to 100km/h: 6.8 secondsPros and cons: The Holden Insignia VXR is a pointer to the all-wheel-drive turbo sedan that will replace the Commodore SS in 2018. But it needs to make a big leap over the current car which, according to independent tests, is slower than a Toyota Aurion V6. Holden insiders have confirmed the next generation Commodore performance sedan will not be as quick as the current V8, nor as cheap.Ford Mondeo TurboPrice: Not yet announced0 to 100km/h: Not yet announcedPros and cons: Ford of Europe is secretly working on a turbo all-wheel-drive version of the Mondeo mid-size sedan, but its performance credentials are an unknown. The car is also smaller and narrower than a Ford Falcon, and as with its Holden counterpart, unlikely to match today's fast Falcon, let alone beat it.

Cars will soon have technology that will notify the dealer when something is wrong, and then check itself in to get fixed.Car companies are in a technology race to take the grime and uncertainty out of vehicle servicing -- and lure customers back to dealerships. Ford has begun distributing more than 1000 iPads across its network of 200 dealers nationally, to streamline the service check-in process by emailing owners a fixed quote before they hand over the keys. But Chrysler-Jeep plans to take the process one step further, and have the car diagnose itself and make an appointment on your behalf. The company already has more than 1 million cars on US roads that self-diagnose any problems and alert the driver that a service is required. More than a simple service reminder, or an engine warning light, the system operates over a built-in wifi network that communicates between the vehicle and the dealership. Chrysler-Jeep says in the near future its cars will automatically know what’s wrong with them and when it’s time for a repair beyond a routine service. A unique telematics system means mechanics won't even need to plug a device into the car to find out what’s wrong: simply drive into the service centre driveway and the car will “dock” into the local wifi network and tell the dealer what needs attention on the car. All before the driver has unclipped their seatbelt or handed over the keys.  “When you show up at a service lane in the very near future we’ll be able to, on an iPad device, determine (who) just showed up, the vehicle history, what service it’s ready for, or if it has any fault codes,” says Patrick Dougherty, the newly-appointed boss of Fiat Chrysler Australia. He said the technology was ready in the US today, on vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, and will be in Australia within a few years. Two years ago Toyota’s luxury division Lexus introduced a similar wifi system at dealerships in the US; it identifies the car and the owner and helps the service check-in process but doesn’t yet diagnose the car. The technology push comes as the industry review continues into how much repair data car makers are prepared to share with independent mechanics. Meanwhile, for those concerned about the protection of their privacy, given that the technology on this and other brands of cars can track where and how the vehicle was driven, much like an aircraft “black box” data recorder, Chrysler-Jeep says “we don’t share the data with anyone else”.

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.

Yet another model has been added to the Chrysler 300 range, this one tagged as the 300S, has just landed in Australia. With a price tag of $47,500 (plus on-roads) the 300S slots between the existing 300C ($46,500) and the upmarket 300 Limited ($51,000).Black on black is the theme. Aimed at the sporty buyer - hence the 'S' - the Chrysler 300S has a new design of 20-inch alloy wheels with a gloss black finish. These carry the same Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres as on the hot SRT8 models. There's black-chrome grille with platinum surround, black headlamp surrounds, body coloured door handles and door mirrors. At the rear there's a boot lip spoiler and black-accented '300S' and 'Chrysler' badges.The interior of the Chrysler 300S has a fashionable piano black finish on the centre console, steering wheel and door panels. There are sports pedals and heated sports front seats. If you find the black is on the overpowering side, 300S seats are available as a no-cost option in red leather trim with contrast white stitching.  Matte carbon accents, replace the traditional burl wood found in the Chrysler 300C. Chrysler's Uconnect 8.4-inch touch screen display gives access to navigation and reversing camera.ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONUnlike the others in the standard 300 range, the Chrysler 300S is sold only with a V6 petrol 210 kW engine. There's no diesel option, nor does it come with the big 6.4-litre hemi V8 - pity.The Chrysler V6 petrol engine produces its 210 kilowatts, 280 horsepower, at 6350 rpm. Peak torque of 340 Newton metres doesn't arrive till 4650 revs, but there's plenty of grunt from not much above idle.PRICESChrysler 300 range:300 Limited 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $43,000 (automatic)300 Limited CRD 3.0-litre diesel four-door sedan: from $48,000 (automatic)300C 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $46,500 (automatic)300C CRD 3.0-litre diesel four-door sedan: from $51,500 (automatic)300S 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $47,500 (automatic)300C Luxury 3.6-litre petrol four-door sedan: from $51,000 (automatic)300C Luxury CRD 3.0-litre diesel four-door sedan: from $56,000 (automatic)300 SRT8 Core 6.4-litre four-door sedan: from $56,000 (automatic)300 SRT8 6.4-litre four-door sedan: from $66,000 (automatic) 

You know you're getting old when car comfort is more important than a stoplight sprint. Either that or, like me, you've recently spent too much time with doctors and comfort suddenly becomes the single most important thing in your driving day.I love the Ferrari 458, but right now I would hobble straight past the rip-snorter Italian thoroughbred on the way to a cushy Jaguar XJ limo. It would be the same situation for my first-choice funster, the Porsche Cayman.I've recently driven a race-prepared Fiat 500 Abarth and the pain was almost - almost - worse than the pleasure of romping the pocket rocket around the high-speed swoops and curves of Phillip Island. I was more than happy to slide back into the cushiness of a Chrysler 300 for the drive home, even if the seats in the motown monster don't give as much support as I normally like.The ride back to the airport got me thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of a number of vehicles that have recently passed through the Carsguide garage, focusing on how they make you feel in the body instead of in the head. Every week there are emails to CarsGuide from people of age, asking about upgrading - from a conventional passenger car into something in the SUV style that's easier on the hips and legs at mounting and dismounting time.An SUV can look like a good idea on the comfort front, but lots have bench-flat seats, crappy ergonomics and nowhere near enough suspension compliance. The Subaru Forester has a nice ride, but I prefer the seats in the Toyota RAV4. On the car front, the new Nissan Pulsar has seats that do nothing for me, but the Renault Clio is surprisingly comfy for a little, affordable car.My top favourite seat is a Recaro racing bucket that is almost shrink-wrapped to my shape, like a bathtub full of jelly that provides perfect support. But it's just about the toughest seat to get into or away from. So, right now, the first-choice comfort car is a Range Rover. It's stupidly expensive, but everything works for me, from a body that drops down on its air springs for easy access to beautifully-shaped front buckets finished in lovely leather and even a user-friendly automatic gearbox that means my left leg never has to move out of its comfort zone.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover