Chrysler 300C. Beautiful Brute
The Chrysler 300C has one of the longest histories among the existing car brands. And throughout its life, it has been the banker’s hot rod, a full-size luxury sedan. In our days, the model was offered as the first generation 4-door sedan and estate (2005–2010 model years) and only as a 4-door sedan of the second and third generation (from 2011 to the present).
Background
The Chrysler Series 300 was first released in 1955. By the way, it is believed that it was the Chrysler 300 that gave rise to the idea of the Muscle Car. Over the next 10 years, the manufacturer produced the Chryslers 300, 300B, 300C and 300D, which were some of the fastest and at the same time luxurious production cars on the road of that time. Connoisseurs believe that the very first Chrysler 300 is a truly unique supercar that cannot be surpassed. The numbers ‘300’ in the title spoke of the engine output, namely a 5.4-liter HEMI ‘Firepower’ V8 engine with 300 hp. with. It was the most powerful American car at the time. Subsequently, the output changed, but the name remained. For example, 300B had an output of 355 hp.
By the way, the Chrysler 300B set a new world record for production passenger cars, accelerating to 255 km/h. When the 300B raced NASCAR, its dominance was so overwhelming that the 300th Mercury Outboard Team had to withdraw from the competition for fear of negative response from racing fans annoyed by the team’s dominance.
Inspired by the combination of unique design and stunning performance, motorists named the Chrysler 300 the Beautiful Brute.
In 1957, designer Virgil Exner redesigned the Chrysler 300's exterior, making it one of the most recognizable in automotive history with its twin headlights under the visors, a huge grille, and shark fins. The engine output was brought to a fantastic 375 hp, with the possibility of boosting up to 390 hp. Moreover, the Chrysler 300 had unique driving characteristics, and the fins served not only aesthetic functions, but were stabilizers that made the sedan super-stable when driving at high speeds. Inspired by the combination of unique design and stunning performance, motorists named the Chrysler 300 the Beautiful Brute.
In 1959, the iconic HEMI V8 was replaced by a new 6.8-liter Wedge V8 with 380 hp. The Chrysler started featuring larger fins and a strange-looking spare wheel in the back, which drivers jokingly called a ‘bird bath’. Until 1998, this Chrysler was becoming better, stronger, bigger, and more beautiful, changing the letters in its name, but keeping the same design as a direct continuation of the first models. In 1998, most new Chrysler models received the new LH architecture, including the Chrysler 300M. The car became less powerful, while remaining faster than the canon monsters of previous generations, and as luxurious as them.
Our days
The first generation
In 2005, Chrysler released a new version of the 300th, a technically sophisticated car that was rooted in the original Chrysler 300. It is customary to keep track of modern generations from it. The first generation Chrysler 300 was admired, above all, for its beauty. The impressive design was developed by Ralph Victor Gilles, a child prodigy from a family of Haitian immigrants in Canada. He is now the Chief Designer of Stellantis. The Chrysler 300 (the letter ‘C’ was added to the number in some countries) almost immediately became incredibly popular.
After seeing the Chrysler 300C in the ad, Snoop Dogg called company President and CEO Dieter Zetsche asking for one. Barack Obama, a well-known modest fellow, also bought this car for himself, as it was cool, pretentious, but not too expensive for the president. The uptight Brits called the Chrysler 300C ‘Bentley for the Poor’, and then bought all these cars so that there was a shortage in Europe. BBC’s Top Gear team described the 300C as “something different with a bit of kitsch gangster cool”.
The new Chrysler 300C was named ‘Best Car of the Year 2005’ by Motor Trend Magazine and won the ‘North American Car of the Year’ award. There have been so many awards that this Chrysler has become one of the most decorated new cars in history. It was also a finalist in the 2005 World Car of the Year competition, but only came in fifth, like the BMW 1 Series, by the way.
The new 300C Chrysler is something different with a bit of kitsch gangster cool
The first generation Chrysler 300 is built on the Chrysler LX rear-wheel drive platform, with elements of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class widely used in the design. The entry-level model was powered by a 190 hp EER V6 engine, while the Touring model came with a 215 hp engine and the Limited offered a 250 hp unit. The top-end Chrysler 300C featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine with 340 hp and 529 Nm of torque. The most powerful variant was the SRT-8 with a 6.1-liter Hemi engine producing 425 hp and 569 Nm of torque, developing 100 km/h in 5 seconds.
The 2005 Chrysler 300 looked as a massive, long and wide car with elements of luxury American sedans from the 60s and a recognizable 1955 grille. It had a low position, slightly sloping A-pillars, a long hood, and a short trunk lid. It was distinguished by solid seriousness and laconic balanced contours. These features remained largely unchanged in the next generation.
The second generation
It was released in 2012. The new Chrysler 300 received the following modifications: Base, Limited, 300C and 300C AWD. The designers smoothed the edges a little, changed the windshield angles and improved some exterior parts (headlights, radiator grille, trim), as a result, the car became less brutal and more stylish. The rear-wheel drive platform was completely redesigned. Thus, the body structure was reinforced. Plus, the car acquired electric power assisted steering and a re-tuned suspension ensuring better quality driving and more balanced handling. The engine was replaced by an all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 from Chrysler, producing 292 hp in the Base version. There was also an optional 363 hp Hemi V8.
*Versions
- The Base version was standardly equipped with 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, keyless entry/ignition system, cruise control, automatic dual-zone climate control and a host of other options. It was a luxury sedan after all.
- The Limited version offered 18-inch wheels, fog lights, reversing camera, remote ignition, power front passenger seat, auto-dimming driver-side mirror, power-adjustable pedals, interior LED lighting, power-adjustable steering wheel, heated cup holders and cooled, heated rear seats and power sun visor.
- The 300C AWD differs from the Limited only with all-wheel drive and standard 19-inch wheels.
Any new Chrysler 300 came with anti-lock disc brakes, traction stability and traction control, front airbags, driver knee airbags, and side curtain airbags.
