Price: from £35,995 to from £39,995
.0-60 time: 7.4 secs
MPG / LPG: 39.2 mpg
The baby Bentley is back. Darling of the aftermarket
pimping collective and those who just can’t resist a splash of executive
Americana in a sea of German conformism -- Chrysler continues to offer their alluring alternative but have remixed it for a new generation.
Although instantly recognizable in profile and stance to the outgoing all-American saloon, 2012’s all-new replacement has been subject to some serious Italian intervention -- owing to the Fiat Group’s ownership of the iconic U.S. brand.
And like our friends over the pond we’ll call it a Chrysler, but bizarrely the rest of Europe won’t. They’ll be calling it a Lancia -- a Lancia Thema -- with the only difference being the badges.
And so, with childish excitement and crap Marlon Brando impressions, we spend some seat time with the latest Mafia must-have, rolling like we’ve just made a hit and feeling, fraudulently, gangster.
Although instantly recognizable in profile and stance to the outgoing all-American saloon, 2012’s all-new replacement has been subject to some serious Italian intervention -- owing to the Fiat Group’s ownership of the iconic U.S. brand.
And like our friends over the pond we’ll call it a Chrysler, but bizarrely the rest of Europe won’t. They’ll be calling it a Lancia -- a Lancia Thema -- with the only difference being the badges.
And so, with childish excitement and crap Marlon Brando impressions, we spend some seat time with the latest Mafia must-have, rolling like we’ve just made a hit and feeling, fraudulently, gangster.
In a strange twist to the Chrysler 300C story, there’s
only one engine on offer… and it’s a very un-American diesel. However,
this is work in progress as we fully expect, in the fullness of time, a
fat V8 petrol block to be dropped under the bonnet too.
But for now, and by way of competing with the vast selling, diesel powered German execs, it’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 unit -- the same as in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Packing 236 hp and 540 Nm of max torque, however, it’s no disappointment. And in dealing with nearly two and a half tons of Italian/American muscle, it manages to hustle along impressively swiftly and frugally despite further ballast in the form of a less-than-cutting-edge, five-speed auto transmission.
Further gains on the previous 300C are to be found in its agility. A stiffer chassis, greatly improved suspension and well weighted electro-hydraulic steering combine with enthusiastically enjoyable effect though it still lags slightly behind its lighter German rivals.
But for now, and by way of competing with the vast selling, diesel powered German execs, it’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 unit -- the same as in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Packing 236 hp and 540 Nm of max torque, however, it’s no disappointment. And in dealing with nearly two and a half tons of Italian/American muscle, it manages to hustle along impressively swiftly and frugally despite further ballast in the form of a less-than-cutting-edge, five-speed auto transmission.
Further gains on the previous 300C are to be found in its agility. A stiffer chassis, greatly improved suspension and well weighted electro-hydraulic steering combine with enthusiastically enjoyable effect though it still lags slightly behind its lighter German rivals.
The last Chrysler 300C was a design classic -- albeit an
overtly kitch one. And as we mentioned before, this latest one retains
much of its long-lasting appeal through it’s long and low, slab-sided
profile. But on closer inspection, things have been freshened-up which
reduce it’s retro raison d’etre.
Gone is the Bently-esque mesh grille, replaced by a similarly vast but linear one flanked by LED-encrusted headlamps which assume on a more fluid, contemporary form than before. Round the back and it’s still just as vertically imposing. Teamed with twin exhaust pipes, lashings of chrome flashing and massive, standard (on the Executive model), polished 20” rims, Chrysler hasn’t missed a visual trick.
But it’s inside where the new 300C impresses us most. The Italian influence is in full effect in the beautifully hushed interior boasting a Nappa leather trimmed dash and higher grade materials than before while the enduring touch of Americana resides in a metal ring inlaid steering wheel, heated/vented cup holders and sofa-sized seats.
A panoramic roof lets the light flood into the well-finished cabin but while room up front is particularly generous it’s at the expense of those behind, although a big boot goes some way to compensate.
The Chrysler 300C is a real event of a car. Big, bold and still a bit brash, it’s a brilliant antidote to the ubiquitous large German executive saloons -- and with only one big diesel engine on offer its exclusivity with remain intact too.
Spec’d to impress and priced to compete -- there’s much to love about the new Chrysler 300C.
Gone is the Bently-esque mesh grille, replaced by a similarly vast but linear one flanked by LED-encrusted headlamps which assume on a more fluid, contemporary form than before. Round the back and it’s still just as vertically imposing. Teamed with twin exhaust pipes, lashings of chrome flashing and massive, standard (on the Executive model), polished 20” rims, Chrysler hasn’t missed a visual trick.
But it’s inside where the new 300C impresses us most. The Italian influence is in full effect in the beautifully hushed interior boasting a Nappa leather trimmed dash and higher grade materials than before while the enduring touch of Americana resides in a metal ring inlaid steering wheel, heated/vented cup holders and sofa-sized seats.
A panoramic roof lets the light flood into the well-finished cabin but while room up front is particularly generous it’s at the expense of those behind, although a big boot goes some way to compensate.
The Chrysler 300C is a real event of a car. Big, bold and still a bit brash, it’s a brilliant antidote to the ubiquitous large German executive saloons -- and with only one big diesel engine on offer its exclusivity with remain intact too.
Spec’d to impress and priced to compete -- there’s much to love about the new Chrysler 300C.