Concept from New York Auto Show unchanged in production
Scantily clad ladies, loaded pistols, a shower of dollar bills… The Chrysler 300C has been through it all. In 2003 we were introduced to the big, bumbling American as a concept, who would later act as a production model in one hip-hop clip after another. He has never lost his bad-boy image, and with the thick SRT8 version you could erase wonderfully.
Ten years ago you didn’t come across this fat American that often. And if you saw one in 2013, it usually had a taxi sign – not quite the fate that Chrysler had in mind with its burly beast.
In 2003 we get behind the wheel of the concept car, which bears the same name as the final animal. Many parts of Mercedes-Benz run under his tough coat: the five-speed automatic transmission, the wheel suspension and the steering. The smallest beating heart of the final 300C is a certainly not modest 2.7-liter V6, a step higher is a 3.5-liter V6. Fans of a little more muscle will get their money’s worth with a 5.7-liter V8 from Hemi, but the 6.1-liter V8 SRT8 – available from 2006 – is especially impressive. The business market (taxi!) will be served from 2005 with a 3.0 liter self-igniter.
300C was not a top seller
With a confident appearance, Mercedes technology and a diversity of engines, you would think that Chrysler is in with its latest giant. But the 300C will never be a sales topper. In his first confrontation in AutoWeek, in 2005, he gets to sink his teeth into a compatriot, the Cadillac CTS. We don’t recommend the Chrysler in terms of handling, but its relatively affordable price tag and interior space mean it wins this American twist.
300C Touring offered more fun than Audi A6 Avant
A year later we get a diesel-powered 300C Touring from the stable. It can prove itself against the Audi A6 Avant. We expect the German to make mincemeat of the unrefined Yank, but that turns out not to be too bad. Sure, the Audi is more refined in all areas and is much better balanced, but when it comes to fun, the 300C reigns supreme. It will be a close finish, but the trophy eventually goes to Ingolstadt due to refinement.
SRT-8 against an Audi RS4 because of the price
A redneck with the appearance of a WWF wrestler, of course you have to erase that. We park the 420 hp SRT-8 in 2006 opposite the Audi RS4. In terms of size, the fastest 300C is more of a competitor for the Audi S6/RS6, but the price gives us the idea of ​​going one step lower in the stable of then Quattro GmbH. Again, the German appears to be the more refined of the two, but despite its smaller size, it is more than 25 grand more expensive than the crass American. In this case, that ‘clunky’ is a compliment. Because where the Chrysler cunningly wags its huge ass in a fast corner, the Audi remains well-behaved and stable – yawn … Next to the SRT-8, the RS4 is almost a boring car. The rough 300C gives a lot more fun for a nice ditch less money. Chrysler’s battleship has never been successful in the business market. He just wasn’t sophisticated enough for that. But those who dared not to decide with their mind for once, had a great, very daring machine in the 300C.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl