CHRYSLER 300C goes on Sale in Singapore

With that, the Chrysler 300C does spring to mind. It is as large as what a BMW 7 series or a Lexus LS 430 is. It offers a certain degree of prestige, if not brand equity as Chrysler is America’s No. 3 automobile manufacturer. Hailing also from DaimlerChrysler, the 300C also offers a fair degree of sophistication and technology. For people who have lived with American cars here in the sixties, the Chrysler 300C is seen as a return of those great hulks. Aptly, even DaimlerChrysler in its promotions touts it as “The return of the Great American Car.” The Pontiac Parisenne, Chevrolet Impala and the Dodge Polaris attained a reasonable amount of heritage status of their own here in Singapore in its heydays. These muscle cars, with legendary tailfins and big V8 push rod engines were seen as status symbols of the rich and famous. They sold well in those days when BMW was unheard of and Mercedes Benz was struggling to get away from the pirate taxis image. The new Chrysler 300C is a lot more refined, easy on gas and certainly rides with pomp compared to its distant cousins in the sixties. Singaporeans have not really seen a car of this magnitude since Mercedes Benz showed up with the Classic in the late eighties. In the States, the 300C has won just about every conceivable award and has been billed as the most awarded car in American automotive history.

The accolades are still coming in. So how good is the 300C? In terms of size, it’s 5 meters in length comparable to the likes of the BMW 7 series, the Audi A8 and the Lexus LS430. However, one strong weapon the 300C has over the competition is the price. You don’t get to part with more money than what it takes to drive away a BMW 5 series, Mercedes Benz E Class or an Audi A6. In a nutshell, you are buying a powerhouse with low bucks and that equates to tremendous value for money. In recent times, Chrysler has always been touted as a more forward thinking automotive manufacturer than its more illustrious competitors, General Motors and Ford. The PT Prowler, PT Cruiser, the Dodge Viper and Ram trucks are good examples of what and how cars should be build. The 300C is no different. It blends retro styling with a stylish modernistic design. It is retro only in the way it celebrates certain past auto-attributes much enjoyed in their time, but its aptitudes are modern. The first impression one gets in the 300C is that of a gloriously “successful” car. Successful because when you have arrived, this is the kind of car you want to be seen driving. Upfront, its big-jawed face with the hefty egg-crate grille puts to shame the A8’s front. The front wheels are pushed well forward, emphasizing the impression of volume and excess power, and the tail is brutally squared. From the side, a high belt line with a strong muscular stance is created to psyche and intimidate anything parked close to it. Its looks can be pretty menacing. To move the massive frame, there is a 3.5 liter V6 power-plant. Mated to a five speed automatic transmission, this engine generates 250 bhp with 340 Nm of torque. More than ample to catapult the 1,800 kg hulk from a standstill to 100 kph in 9 seconds. It's all hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. But it's not all about power, as the 300C also shoots for excellent ride and handling by utilizing a five-link independent rear suspension and a short-long arm setup in front. The interior features a simple but elegant layout. The dashboard area may not be as fancy as some other cars in this segment, but its combination of sporty, semi-retro and luxury motifs is effective. Sitting smack right center is the brush aluminum look of the centre console. Worthy of special note are the white-faced gauges on the instrumentation panel adorned in copperplate fonts. When lighted up, the instrumentation panel is pale green, reminiscent of the big American cars in the sixties. Cabin dimensions are generous in all directions and the 300C offers more rear legroom than any of its competitors. Trunk capacity measures 504 liters. This is by far one of the best finished Chrysler cabins you can ever find. Its leather clad seats with sumptuous feel, all adds up to a very well appointed interior. If there’s anything lacking, you’ll probably be forgiving given again the car is more than $50,000 lesser than one of comparable stature.

Being part of DaimlerChrysler, you can expect the 300C to share some of the genes of a Mercedes Benz. It shares the same chassis as the E class albeit the platform has been stretched to accommodate a longer wheelbase. The cruise control stalk, together with the suspension also comes from Mercedes. From a stationary position the 300C pulls away with relative ease. The engine is quiet and power isn’t lacking. At high speed, the car is downright steady and sturdy. Along twisty roads, the full complement of traction control and electronic stability program keeps the car well-behaved with minimal roll. The massive 19” wheels hug the road with great poise and holding. Its driving dynamics belies its hulk and are very reminiscent of mid size cars like the A6 and E class. The steering is communicative and responsive and the suspension well controlled. Ay cruising speed, the car is very quiet. Will Singaporeans take to the 300C? I think so as this is the first time we see a return of a full sized American sedan. It is not only retro but nostalgic. The 300C is well priced and offers tremendous value for money. It is suavely sophisticated and posses presence and personality to make driving it an event. It is charismatic and an instant conversational piece. Chrysler may not have an established brand positioning yet in Singapore but the 300C will change that. With its introduction as Chrysler’s flagship, it will take the brand into the premium market. The 300C epitomized stunning American design with state of art German technology. For less than the price of an Audi A6 2.4, Lexus GS 300, BMW 523 or a Mercedes E240, Chrysler is offering buyers a spacious, rear-wheel-drive sedan with a long list of safety features and an undeniable hip factor. At that you pay only $155,999 with COE.

A tremendous value for money. For the price of Audi A6 3.2 FSI or a BMW 530, you can add a 425-hp Hemi V8 engine to your list and that's only $240,000. In the 300C SRT-8 version, you go from 0 - 100 kph in under 5 seconds, not something for the faint hearts. Who says your next family sedan has to be boring or pricey?

Credits: Oneshift News Team