Chrysler Reviews

The Chrysler 300C is selling up a storm in Australia, often topping its class in the upmarket sales stakes, so it makes sense for it to offer a model with a turbo-diesel engine.

Let's talk about the styling first, because we’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t want to discuss it in detail as soon as they see this new Chrysler.

Customisers love adding to it with even bigger wheels and outrageous interiors. Chrysler's 300C travels on its own moving catwalk, always on display and admired by other road users.This is no getaway car, nor one to blend into beige or grey traffic in dull, peak-hour motion.The 300C's retro design, with its high waistline and low-profile roof, may make for restricted view from the glasshouse, but the only real cause for concern is when using the sun visors — if they're left in the halfway-down position, there's absolutely no view of the road ahead.Accommodation is very pleasant, with armchair-comfortable seating all round. The driver and front passenger get electric items (with memory on the driver's side) that can be set to move backwards on entry and exit.On long hauls, there's nothing to complain about. Once the the road begins to bend, though, there's only a slight curve in the cushion to prevent you slipping and sliding across the front pews.But this car isn't really made for sharp corners; it's meant to go hard in a straight line, using its 250kW and 525Nm of torque.The 5.7 Hemi heads for the hills as fast as the local heroes from Holden and Ford, although its growl was a little too muted for my liking.The soft-tone exhaust is balanced by a concert-hall-quality sound system from Boston Acoustics. This seven-speaker, 368-watt (including subwoofer) set-up puts you right back in gangsta mode.There's enough thump and rumble from inside the cabin to make you forget you're driving a V8 Hemi.MDS technology bought open-road fuel economy down to 11litres/100km from 16.1 in stop-start city driving. This was on a sustained Sunday run along freeways and coastal roads — not bad from a car lugging 1810kg around.Equipment levels are high in the 300C. As well as leather trim and the aforementioned sound system, you get some nice-looking woodgrain decoration on the wheel and console, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors that ... um, made no sound.There's your regular host of aids and co-pilots, in the shape of ESP, brake assist with ABS, an automatic headlamp levelling system and "arriving lights" that switch on when the car is unlocked.Strangely, though, there are no automatic headlights — although they do apparently have a wash function that I was unable to locate.The smooth, five-speed auto gearbox has an old Mercedes-style sideways manual-shift mode. It was unnecessary, as you never felt it register until you pushed or toggled back to second gear.With its outre styling and quality Germanic interior, you could feel a little confused driving this car.Looking at the 300C's high waistline and stubby glasshouse reminded me of that '80s one-hit wonder Vanilla Ice, with his flat-top haircut and high pants pulled way up past his waist.Let's hope the 300C doesn't go the way Vanilla Ice's career did. It's way too individual for that.And don't we all try to be individuals? After all, who wants to be seen in just another car?

The chopped-top Chevy, the product of an unprecedented yet short-lived time of post-war expressionism, looked mean and threatening.The 300C of today has the same attitude. It's just that once inside, this one is a pussycat. Ford, who went on to bigger things, would be right at home.The 300C marks Chrysler's return to a rear-wheel-drive large-car platform. It is yet another vehicle to benefit from the Mercedes-Benz-Chrysler merger. In fact, about 20 per cent of its parts are Mercedes-sourced, including the multi-link rear suspension, steering column, and the five-speed auto transmission from the E-Class.It's also the second model, after the Grand Cherokee, to arrive here with the big-bore 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine. If that's too big and thirsty, there is a smaller 3.5-litre V6 engine that is cheaper. But, externally the car is the same.Clearly, the look of the 300C is the key to its success. In January, the 300C outsold (133 cars) its class rivals, the Holden Statesman (120) and Ford Fairlane (55).Forget the fuel crisis. The reason the Yank won this race is because it is distinctive. Nothing shares its styling and, as buyers seek to stamp their individuality on their possessions, wacky things like the 300C have become popular.Don't forget it's pretty good value for money, especially if you put a price on being different.The V8 costs $59,990, while the V6 is $6000 cheaper, at $53,990.Standard in the V8 are leather upholstery, electric front seats with memory, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, rear-park assist and six airbags.The more lavish V8 also has a premium seven-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system.The only options for the V8 are premium paint ($370), and electric sunroof ($2430), with possibly a satellite-navigation system added to that list in the future.The interior has strong overtones of the 1950s and 1960s, not necessarily in styling, though there are hints of yesteryear, but more in cabin space.The seats are thick and armchair-like, the side windows narrow to create an impression of intimacy, and chrome highlights reflect luxury.Comfort is first-class for the passengers, though the driver may have to battle to get comfortable behind a steering wheel that has no telescopic adjustment.It has an attractive instrument layout and, tilt the head slightly upwards and there's a broad bonnet. Seeing a bonnet from the driver's seat of a car built in the third millennium, is like a country lad seeing the ocean for the first time.As you would expect, the ride comfort is first-rate, with the big chairs and compliant suspension providing a smooth journey.Surprisingly, this big US lump actually handles well through bends. What could have rivalled jelly for cornering, is more like a fruity, firm Christmas cake.There is understeer, but that's found at relatively higher speeds.Its handling is helped by a good list of safety gear, including Electronic Stability Program, Emergency Brake Assist, Traction Control System and ABS brakes.Throw the 300C into a corner and the ESP shows it is working by some noisy clunks under the body and noticeable retardation of the engine.It's a nice, safety feature that goes with features such as the six airbags, side mirrors that dip when reversing and the ultra-bright xenon headlights.Yes, the V8 is pretty much out of the dark ages, but it performs as good as a more modern engine.It is helped by some electronic aids and the silky five-speed auto gearbox.It's quick off the mark, responsive for overtaking, and quiet when treated gently, but sounds magnificent when on song. It is also thirsty.A combination of city, suburbs and country saw the test car clock 13.9 litres/100km. After a track session it was in the 16s.Apparently you can save fuel by taking it easy and the ability to cut fuel to four cylinders when idling or coasting also helps.It didn't help me much, though I'd be prepared to pay the fuel bill just to enjoy the car.I like this car — a lot! But why the hell is there a space-saving tyre in a car competing against big Aussie saloons? Simply ridiculous.Without a proper spare, I'd be reluctant to take it too far into the country, which is a pity because this would make a superb cruiser. Maybe it's best suited just to city cruising, with Harrison Ford at the wheel . . .

The big, hot rod-looking limo ticks all the right boxes and is set to put the Chrysler brand back on the map in this country.In fact, almost overnight, it has become the biggest selling model in the Chrysler range – and it's not hard to see why?We covered the international launch of the 300C almost two years ago and predicted then that the car was likely to give the likes of Ford and Holden a real "shake up", provided the price was right.Chrysler is targeting the car at the prestige Ford Fairlane/LTD and Holden Statesman/ Caprice and at just $59,990 for the V8 model, the price is more than just right.Not only does it undercut the competition, it's also staggeringly good value for money, considering its gorgeous lines and long, luxury equipment list.Given the choice, which would you buy?We renewed our acquaintance with the 300C over the holiday break, clocking up 10 days and more than 800km behind the wheel.We're can report that it's not just us who thinks this is a stunning looking car.Wherever we ventured the big, slab-sided V8 caused a stir, with plenty of pointing and questions.Dealers we are told have already sold out of stocks of the V8 with sales of the cheaper V6 model starting to pick up.A diesel and touring wagon are due mid year, with a high performance SRT version slated for April-May.However, at a time when the price of fuel is on the way up, the 300C's 5.7-litre HEMI V8 employs clever technology that shuts down half the engine when full power is not required, so you can have your V8 cake and eat it too.The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) transforms the engine temporarily from a V8 to a V4, shutting down two cylinders on either side and reaping the benefits of reduced fuel consumption in the process.Hit the go fast pedal and it takes just 40 milliseconds for V8 power to kick back in again.Does it work?Well, out on the freeway, the 300C returned as little as 12.0 litres per 100km and probably would have done even better had out trip taken us further.Others have reported even better figures than this.Dashing to and fro about our south coast retreat over a week, consumption hit a high of 14.5 litres per 100km, before finishing up on 13.2L/100km.That's a fraction more than the six-speed auto Ford Territory in which we started the break.With 250kW of power and 525Nm of torque on tap, the 300C certainly gets mobile quickly for a big car, at just under 5 metres in length and close to two tonnes.The HEMI V8 is hooked up to a five-speed sequential auto and dispatches the dash from 0-100km/h in just 6.4 seconds.After extolling the virtues of the 300C, we asked a group what they thought the car might cost?With six airbags and electronic stabily and traction control, the car has a five-star safety rating.Standard equipment includes leather up- holstery, twin zone climate airconditioning, power operated and heated front seats, six airbags, electronic stability control and high powered xenon headlights – to name a few.Some members of the group put the figure well in excess of $100,000 which is testament to the fine job that Chrysler has done. The car is put together in Austria and although it is a little rough around the edges, there's not much to dislike.You only get a space saver spare wheel and some felt a bit claustrophobic in the rear seat because of the narrow windows and high waisted sides, but that's part of the appeal.The steering wanders off centre and the suspension is harsh at times (too soft at others) and could do with some local tuning.The felt lining of the huge boot is also easily dislodged as is the scuff trim on the door, but for the most part these are minor misgivings. 

Even since its marriage to Mercedes-Benz as part of the DaimlerChrysler group, the big American struggles with the concept of anything remotely close to automotive excellence.However, there are signs that this perception is turning around, albeit with the pace of an ocean liner doing an about face in the Brisbane River.Enter the imposing 300C saloon.A few flaws here and there take it a tad south of being perfect, but by gee, it's one heck of a car.And whoever said that for anything to sell by the truckloads it has to be absolute perfection?You only have to think about mobile phones, many of which are tired and some buggered after a few years' work.The 300C is the beacon that Chrysler desperately needs to gain a strong sales footing locally.For $59,990 the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, which shuts down two cylinders on either bank when it doesn't need the power, presents a compelling case in the local prestige saloon market against Holden's Statesman and the Ford Fairlane. There is much more to like about the return of Chrysler's iconic letter series nameplate from the '50s than not.There are some fit and finish issues inside but heck, who cares when you're coasting around town in a hunk of metal this loud?The tough, gangster-style looks which from certain angles can be mistaken for a Bentley Arnage, have an on-road presence that even the confronting PT Cruiser couldn't match.On this test across about 400km of about 70 per cent highway work and the rest comprised of short/sharp bursts in built-up zones, fuel use came in at 11.5-litres/100km, which was under the claimed 12.1litres/100km in combined conditions.Fully adjustable leather-clad seats with two-position memory provide a comfortable ride, and the distinctive HEMI gruff infiltrates the cabin to remind occupants of its Detroit origins.A Statesman or Fairlane would destroy the 300C in ride and handling stakes but they are a little on the starchy side.Where the Chrysler is overdosing on fun and thrill pills, the locals are falling asleep at the wheel.The 300C is an enigmatic saloon. It is long and bold, brash and brazen.There is nothing available in its market segment which stirs the senses as much as the big yankee job.With so many positives to its credit, the heavy HEMI can get away with features such as a ride which is far too busy and damping control which tends to be out to lunch.For $6000 less there is a 3.5-litre V6.But that's like going for the junior meal at McDonald's instead of the jumbo deal.In the end the big HEMI is irresistible.A bit like a mobile phone really . . . you've gotta get one.

Drive the 300C and people are going to talk to you ... at the lights, in the carpark, at the service station ... and they are going to stare.Boy, do they stare. Stare and point, that is.But, remember: everyone is entitled to their own opinion.You will find plenty of people like your choice in cars; others will tell you in no uncertain terms why your parents should have been far more careful with birth control.Love the look or hate the look. That's what Chrysler wanted in designing the 300C and that is just what they have achieved.Personally, I love it.But I also think the big-butt look of the Renault Megane is pretty neat.The 300C is an imposing car. It has road presence far above its $59,990 price tag for the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 model.At just on 5m long, weighing in at 1873kg and designed to celebrate straight lines and corners, the 300C also gives the impression that it will handle almost as well as the large box it imitates.Wrong, on so many levels. The upside of the 300C's brick-like shape is the amount of room in the cabin. It is one of the least cramped large cars in existence.Shoulder, leg, head and knee-room front and rear, is expansive but without reaching limousine levels.The downside of the shape, however, is serious difficulty in judging just where the extremities of the car might be when parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces.Standard equipment in the 300C Hemi is generous, with the only options the premium paint package ($370) — for which you'll have to fork out unless your favourite colour is white — and a $2430 power sunroof.The Boston Acoustics sound system is simply superb. It is the latest in a range of car systems from various manufacturers that would not be out of place in the lounge room.The eight-way adjustable leather electric seats are comfortable without being particularly outstanding but again, they are well suited to the car.Apart from the rather tacky part-wood part-leather steering wheel, the interior is quite stylish for an American car. It is reasonable to assume that, in no small part, this is down to the huge input in styling and design from Mercedes-Benz. And in the getting-down-to-business department, the 250kW 5.7-litre Hemi V8 is a bit of a brute.None of your namby-pamby, take it gently and build up slowly to conserve fuel attitude on show here. It wants — demands — that you stomp the accelerator and get into that huge 525Nm of torque as soon as possible.The torque peaks at 4000rpm but the majority arrives not long after 2000rpm and keeps on urging well past the optimum. Chryslerclaims a sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds, which is very acceptable for a luxo-cruiser of this size. The down side of giving in to the Hemi's demands is that you will probably have paid the car off before the fuel bills.Economy figures range from mid-13 litre/100km on long, lazy highway drives, to 24-plus litre/100km readings punching from roundabout to roundabout in the city.Despite this, the 300C does exactly what it was designed to do for Chrysler Jeep in Australia — it provides an obvious presence.That it is a neat — if thirsty — drive and competitively priced is a bonus.

Holden has its HSV, Ford their FPV, Mercedes-Benz their AMG.Now American car company Chrysler is introducing us to SRT. We are the first country outside North America to get them.SRT stands for "Street and Racing Technology", not street racing technology. In these days of anti-hoon legislation that "and" makes an important distinction.The first SRT-branded vehicles to hit our shores are the Crossfire Coupe and Roadster SRT-6.As if the standard Crossfire wasn't sporty enough, this model receives the benefit of Chrysler's extensive motorsports, Dodge Viper development and Mopar Performance Parts expertise. That's the "racing" part of SRT.That means a hand-built 3.2-litre, supercharged V6 engine with 246kW of power, up a whopping 86kW on the "base" model, and 420Nm of torque, up 110Nm.There is much more to this German-built autobahn buster, such as race-tuned suspension, a bigger fixed rear wing, SRT badging and trim details and sportier seats, all for an extra $16,000.The standard Crossfire was a competitive package at $69,990 for the Coupe and $75,990 for the Roadster against the Mazda RX-8 ($54,465-$63,030) and Nissan 350Z ($59,990-$73,790).But at $85,990 for the Coupe and $91,990 for the Roadster the SRT-6 is a cheap and attractive option for those seeking a real exotic gran turismo road machine, like the 206kW Porsche Boxster S at $139,500 or the 170kW BMW Z4 ($86,000-$88,600). Especially since it is basically the AMG engine, chassis and more from the previous-generation Benz SLK roadster. And remember, the previous model SLK 32 AMG with this engine cost $154,000.Some may say it looks even better than the SLK in its American-designed skin. I'm not a keen fan of American automobile design — too detailed and flashy. Yet it was love at first sight with most of the Crossfire . . . it took a while for the "creased" bonnet to grow on me.Now I appreciate its distinctive look. Those crease marks up the bonnet and down the side are the sorts of lines cartoonists draw to make cars look like they are going fast. Not that it needs crease marks to look quick. Try 0 to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.But all that go without whoa would be simply antisocial, so SRT uprated the brakes to 330mm/300mm ventilated discs with dual calipers front and back.Likewise stomp without handling is useless, so this one gets super-stiff suspension to match the supercharged firepower beneath the bonnet.The suspension set-up was tested on the autobahn, race tracks and high-speed ovals (that's supposedly the "street" part of SRT), but it obviously wasn't tested in the back streets around my place where the speed bumps grow like mushrooms.So taut are the suspenders that you can take the speed bumps at a reasonable clip without scraping the low front dam because there is simply no give in the springs.That translates to a bone-jarring ride through the ultra-firm seats. And in the Roadster I drove it also translates to a lot of shake and rattle without the roll.The Roadster actually has "softer" spring rates than the Coupe SRT, so that must be a real fillings rattler.That harsh ride is rewarded on smooth surfaces where speed and adhesion go hand in hand with the electronic stability program to save you from instantaneous trauma when you touch the loud pedal and tweak the wheel.All round, a great muscle machine in an attractive package.My only complaints are no sound system controls on the steering wheel and volume on the left of the stereo, plus flimsy plastic switches and knobs that are typical of all Chryslers.

The Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 coupe offers sensational acceleration and handling and will keep more fancied runners in the high performance segment honest.Here is a car with enough kick in the tail to sprint from 0-100kmh in five seconds but that's only part of the story. Being supercharged means no waiting for boost to kick in as with a turbo engine. The Crossy SRT6 delivers truckloads of torque right off idle and it's there through the entire engine rev range. Push the throttle and away she goes, push harder and it goes harder. Instant grunt – there's nothing quite like it.The engine is based on the regular Crossfire with necessary reinforcements to cope with being force fed. It runs as smooth as silk and hardly makes any noise unless the taps are opened.Fuel economy is better than a V8, significantly better if you drive steadily.Power goes through a strengthened five speed automatic transmission with a number of electronic modulations to keep everything in control including Electronic Stability Program (ESP).There's a sequential shift mode if you want to play manuals.Suspension upgrades include stiffer springs and firmer damping to cope with the extra loads a 53 per cent jump in power bring.The brakes are similarly upgraded.Inside has a sporty flavour and extensive luxury features right down to heated seats. The exterior changes from the regular Crossy with a large fixed rear wing and different wheels among other detail changes.The SRT6 is in against a slew of tidy sports coupes, all of which it will see off in terms of acceleration, mid-range response and quite possibly handling.And at $85,990, it undercuts them on price by thousands of dollars, tens of thousands in some cases. 

Drawing alongside as we cruised down the motorway, he wound down his window to find out exactly what kind of car it was that we were driving?Of course he could see that it was a Chrysler Crossfire, the soft-topped roadster to be exact – but that's all he knew."It's the SRT," I shouted back, struggling to be heard above the roar of two high perform- ance engines."What's that mean?" he asked."246kW," I shouted back."Oh . . ."The SRT (Street and Racing Technology) is the supercharged, high performance of the car. Chrysler's equivalent of HSV.It's good for 250km/h and will tear from standstill to 100km/h in an amazing 5 seconds flat.That's very quick.It's faster than any HSV and, in fact, faster than a Porsche Boxster S which at $132,500 is considerably more expensive and doesn't perform anywhere near as well.The Porsche at 206kW is good for 5.5 seconds but is not speed limited to 250km/h the way the Chrysler is.The Coupe is a bit slower again.Did I mention the Crossfire Roadster SRT costs $91,990 ($85,990 for the coupe)?SRT is the mob that brought us the scintillating Dodge Viper a couple of years back.It was created to boost the performance image of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles and it has done a pretty good job of doing that.To go with the Crossfire, there will be SRT versions of the Grand Cherokee and soon to be released Chrysler 300C.The supercharged SRT engine produces 53 per cent more power than a standard Crossfire.The cars are built in Germany and the hand- built 3.2-litre Benz engine is paired with a five- speed sequential auto.There's no manual and after driving the car, we can say truthfully there's no real need for one either.With 420Nm of torque to play with, the quick changing auto does a superb job of getting the car mobile, with a nudge sideways for quick change downs.If the original car didn't turn heads (we've never been able to work out why), this one is certainly going to make performance hungry Aussies sit up and take notice.Of course there's a stiffer ride and less understeer to go with all this extra power, plus some huge 19 inch rubber and a neck-snapping set of dual piston brakes front and rear.Keeping it all glued to the road is electronic stability control.All we can say is thank God someone is producing cars with character.Car watchers be warned, however, there's not much to distinguish the car from the standard one, apart from a small SRT badge and large fixed rear spoiler.