What It Is
When the 2005 Chrysler 300 debuted so very long ago, it was stunning if not particularly original. Styled like a Bentley but priced like a Buick, the 300 was one of the few true fruits of the “marriage of equals” between Chrysler and Daimler Benz. Equipped with knock ‘em dead design, a powerful Hemi V8 engine, and more than a few discarded 2002 Mercedes E-Class bits under the sheetmetal, the Chrysler 300 (view photos) disproved the theory that Americans no longer wanted to buy a full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan. In fact, for most of 2005, dealers couldn’t keep the 300 in stock.
In the time that has elapsed since, Chrysler has gone through a near-death experience and corporate rebirth, having been sold by Daimler, stripped by Cerberus Capital Management, and flipped to Fiat and the U.S. Government. Perhaps not surprisingly, during this extended period of turmoil nothing much changed for Chrysler’s flagship. Until now.
What’s New for the 2011 Chrysler 300
- Redesigned for 2011: Though it’s based on the same basic architecture as the current Chrysler 300, the new 2011 model’s sheetmetal is substantially modified. Instantly recognizable as a Chrysler 300, but also instantly identifiable as new and different, the new 300 evolves with the corporate slatted grille that was first seen on the Chrysler 200 and Town & Country minivan, flanked by projector beam, “key slot” design headlights outlined by new LED running lights that are shaped like the letter “C.” A long, redesigned hood stretches back from the grille to a faster windshield fronting a familiar squat greenhouse with thinner pillars for better outward visibility. New bodyside detailing leads to a restyled rear end with a new deck lid and LED taillights accented with vertical light pipes. Chrysler’s new winged badge is affixed to the top of the grille and deck lid, while 20-inch, 10-split-spoke alloy wheels are available to fill the 300’s swollen fenders.
- New Interior: Like its Dodge Charger platform-mate, the 300’s interior gets a substantial makeover with better quality materials and a more upscale ambience. Soft-touch panels and tasteful genuine wood trim provide a greater level of refinement in the 2012 300, and the analog clock returns. Chrysler has also added acoustic insulation and underbody panels to help quiet the cabin. An available 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch navigation, information and entertainment screen is mounted in the center of the dash, and the 2011 Chrysler 300 can be equipped with heated and cooled seats, heated and cooled cupholders, and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof.
- More Powerful V6 Engine: Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter V6 appears as standard equipment under the 300’s long hood, making 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Notably, more than 90 percent of peak engine torque is available between 1,800 and 6,400 rpm, giving the 300 lively and energetic response across the engine’s power band. The V6 engine is equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual AutoStick gear selection feature.
- Fuel Saver Hemi V8: The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 from last year, with 370 horsepower, 395 lb-ft of torque, and Fuel Saver Technology that allows the engine to operate on four cylinders when all that power isn’t needed, is standard on the 300C model. Like the V6 engine, the Hemi V8 is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick.
- Optional AWD: Though Chrysler has not officially announced that all-wheel drive will be available on the 2011 Chrysler 300, our guess is that it will offer the same AWD system as its platform-mate, the Dodge Charger. Like the Charger, the 300’s AWD system can be completely disconnected from the front axle when forward power transfer is unnecessary, helping to improve fuel economy.
- New Hardware: Chrysler has installed new steering and suspension systems on the 2011 300. The steering is an electric/hydraulic setup designed to save gas without completely erasing road feel and feedback. The new suspension replaces the aged Mercedes-Benz E-Class donor parts and, along with numeruos measures to improve the 300’s structural stiffness, aims to improve ride and handling over the old car.
- On Sale Date: Built in Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant, the 2011 Chrysler 300 officially debuts at the 2011 North American International Auto Show and goes on sale during the first quarter of 2011.
The Vehix View
Big, comfortable, stylish, and powerful, the seven-year-old Chrysler 300 remains a favorite car of ours. Now, with its sleek new styling, more upscale interior, muscular V6 engine, and updated ride and handling, we’re betting that it will once again be a favorite car of many.
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