To help achieve such a high-level of interior serenity, Chrysler has utilized acoustic glass on the windscreen and the front side windows, as well as composite underbody panels.
Big cars aren’t supposed to handle this well, and a new, more responsive electric power steering system helps give the confidence to exploit it. As a part of Chrysler’s new strategy, the automaker has developed one V6 to replace numerous other six-cylinder options. As a result, the new standard 3.6-liter ‘Pentastar’ powerplant delivers 63 percent more power than the old base V6, for a total of 292-hp. Fuel economy has been improved by 8 percent to 18/27-mpg, but why stop there?
An extra gear would also improve one of the few flaws in the driving experience. On occasion, depending on your speed and rpm, push the throttle to call up 3rd gear for the extra oomph, but the transmission will only deliver 4th.
The biggest changes are on the actual dash with a standard and simply massive 8.4-inch touch screen, plus some sapphire blue LED lit gauges that are both modern and retro with classical traits and a three dimensional look.
That big screen includes Chrysler’s Uconnect telematics system and is easy to use, allowing touch-screen operation of everything from the audio, to climate control, to navigation. Then there’s that Nav system. It even includes the massive touch screen. Option it out with either the Luxury Group package or the first-rate Nappa leather and some 20-inch wheels and that’s the car we’d recommend. Perfect for northern states, it’s available exclusively with the big V8 and 19-inch wheels, plus the body now sits closer to the ground for a look nearly identical to the rear-drive model with a lower center of gravity.
Nonexistent in the compact segment and irrelevant in the mid-size, the folks at Chrysler have excelled in the full-size category and have not disappointed with this latest model. With Chrysler hoping to attract some traditional luxury import buyers we’d have to say the 300 is worth a look. According to Chrysler, the large car segment is poised to grow by 15 percent in the next few years and the new 300 will ensure the automaker will capture a lot of that growth.
Chrysler rolled out an all-new 300 sedan for 2011 to replace the aging original that debuted for 2005. We likened it to a stripped E-class or an older S-Class. Our test car featured real wood inlays, satin chrome trim that looked like aluminum, and an abundance of soft-touch materials. Fit and finish is top notch. The instrument cluster features an attractive ice-blue illumination, which even stood out in the bright Florida sun. The lighting continues into the center console with a chintzy analog watch featuring the ice-blue background sitting front and center. The motor muscle comes with an inspiring old-muscle-car sound.
