Piloting the 300C on the other hand is quite reminiscent of piloting the torque-abundant, rear wheel drive sedans of
 |
| Hammering the throttle during a turn is sure to drift the 300C's tail out, provided the Electronic Stability Program has been switched off. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
yesteryear. Not only is the wide horizontal hood of the big Chrysler visible to the driver as hoods were back then, but the rear wheel drive format transmits handling dynamics that are more predictable. Hammering the throttle during a turn is sure to drift the 300C's tail out, provided the Electronic Stability Program has been switched off. Thanks to an excellent, well-balanced chassis setup, controlling the rear fling is as simple as easing off the juice and over-correcting slightly in the direction the tail is headed; try doing that in a front- wheel drive rocket. Chrysler's chassis engineers obviously stayed up late toiling away with the suspension calibrations in an effort to dial-in handling performance without subjecting the luxo-boat crowd to excessive jostling. Have they achieved this elusive goal? Well, mostly. The 300C is independently supported at all four corners. Front and rear stabilizer bars assist in bringing fairly flat cornering to the comfortable riding four-door cruiser. Shod in Continental touring tires, the 300C isn't likely to raze the pavement at the local track, but considering its size, weight and compassion for passengers it's no slouch in the curves either.
Riding on the firm side for a Chrysler badged sedan, the 300C embraces winding roads with enthusiasm and predictability. Although its steering is on the light side, road-feel and
 |
| Occasional thumpiness generated by the front assembly when broken pavement or sharp ridges were encountered was a distraction. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
feedback is suitable given its luxury-car roots. Combined with the ability of the HEMI to shoot the 300C out of a curve like an F16, competent handling makes the car one heck of a comfortable and rewarding ride in which to blast through the most challenging of mountain road twists and undulations. A criticism of the suspension package, though, is the occasional thumpiness generated by the front assembly when broken pavement or sharp ridges are encountered. For many, this may not be an issue, but for me it would grate like a broken record. The hushed cabin expected in a car in the 300C's caliber should not be spoiled by the intrusion of suspension noise, period. This annoyance may actually be emphasized by the absence of road and wind noise. Chrysler has done a good job of controlling these less than welcome elements of motoring.
