No, Chrysler has once again stuck its neck out to either get hung or pulled up on a pedestal, and considering the 300's value proposition I'm certain it will be the latter.
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| Once again Chrysler is pushing the limits and sticking their neck out with a radical new car, and it already looks like they have another winner. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
To put things into perspective, the launch team arranged a full assortment of competitive products for comparison drives. The list is about as eclectic as I've ever seen, starting with a
Toyota Avalon at the bottom of the heap, before passing by a new
Acura TL,
Audi A6, Infiniti Q45 and BMW 545i - yeah, the new one. Wait a minute? What does the Avalon have to do with a 5-Series? Nothing really. But the 300 starts at such a reasonable price that the Toyota would be a major financial stretch when compared to the V6 equipped 300, let alone the BMW.
In actuality the V6  |
| So what cars will the 300C be competing against? Take your pick, from the Toyota Avalon all the way up to the new BMW 545i, Chrysler has their sights set on everybody. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
equipped "base" 300 starts at a price where the Avalon's little brother Camry V6 begins - right inline with the midsize domestic and imported pack. At the top end, in HEMI powered 300C trim, it targets imported entry-luxury cars just like its predecessor
300M did. But compared to the outgoing front-wheel drive cab-forward 300M, which truly is still one of the best domestically made cars in existence, the 300C is a significant step up the upwardly mobile ladder. Once again, its visual presence is close to overwhelming, resembling Rolls-Royce and Bentley models closer to anything in its price range.
