A stately sedan
Few American sedans lately have caused the same stylistic stir as the Chrysler 300. It's a gun-boat of a car which has been winning over buyers with its roomy interior, entertainment and safety features, and prestigious style.
A subtle makeover for 2008 has sharpened up the look, and includes new taillamps and an integrated rear decklid spoiler. The tester had 18-inch wheels and fog-laps too- and was as sporty as a rolling iron safe can probably look. In all, it's a machine that quietly demands attention and respect.
Distasteful weather
The test was a common one in your correspondent's wintertime: another week in Ontario's Snowbelt with another city-stopping snowstorm and another all wheel drive family hauler to tackle it.
The tester came fitted with the mid-range 3.5 litre V6 mated to an AWD system for more sure-footed traction. The end result was the $36,095 base-model 300 Touring AWD, packing 250 ponies and a five-speed automatic autostick transmission.
Under the hood and at the gas station
Entertaining as the HEMI is, this V6 is all the power the 300 needs. It loves to be pushed and winds out to well over 6,000 RPM- rocketing the car along with urgency in the process. There's also a manual-mode for the transmission.
Cold weather city driving saw gas station visits reveal mileage of about 14.5L / 100km, with highway consumption dropping to about 11 L / 100km. The 300's hood opens with no prop rod, and the prominent washer-fluid filler neck is big enough to swallow your fist. Minor stuff, but you'll appreciate not freezing to death when topping up your wiper-juice.
A Winter-busting drivetrain?
300's All Wheel Drive system is decidedly low-tech, and delivers a permanent engine power split of about 70 percent to the rear wheels and 30 percent to the front. There's no hunting or swapping of power between the axles- so acceleration on snowy roads isn't quite as stable as a similar Subaru or Audi. Thing is, Subaru doesn't have a sedan that's this large, and a comparable Audi is in an entirely different income bracket.
Few American sedans lately have caused the same stylistic stir as the Chrysler 300. It's a gun-boat of a car which has been winning over buyers with its roomy interior, entertainment and safety features, and prestigious style.
 |
| The Chrysler 300 is a machine that quietly demands attention and respect. |
A subtle makeover for 2008 has sharpened up the look, and includes new taillamps and an integrated rear decklid spoiler. The tester had 18-inch wheels and fog-laps too- and was as sporty as a rolling iron safe can probably look. In all, it's a machine that quietly demands attention and respect.
Distasteful weather
The test was a common one in your correspondent's wintertime: another week in Ontario's Snowbelt with another city-stopping snowstorm and another all wheel drive family hauler to tackle it.
The tester came fitted with the mid-range 3.5 litre V6 mated to an AWD system for more sure-footed traction. The end result was the $36,095 base-model 300 Touring AWD, packing 250 ponies and a five-speed automatic autostick transmission.
Under the hood and at the gas station
Entertaining as the HEMI is, this V6 is all the power the 300 needs. It loves to be pushed and winds out to well over 6,000 RPM- rocketing the car along with urgency in the process. There's also a manual-mode for the transmission.
Cold weather city driving saw gas station visits reveal mileage of about 14.5L / 100km, with highway consumption dropping to about 11 L / 100km. The 300's hood opens with no prop rod, and the prominent washer-fluid filler neck is big enough to swallow your fist. Minor stuff, but you'll appreciate not freezing to death when topping up your wiper-juice.
A Winter-busting drivetrain?
300's All Wheel Drive system is decidedly low-tech, and delivers a permanent engine power split of about 70 percent to the rear wheels and 30 percent to the front. There's no hunting or swapping of power between the axles- so acceleration on snowy roads isn't quite as stable as a similar Subaru or Audi. Thing is, Subaru doesn't have a sedan that's this large, and a comparable Audi is in an entirely different income bracket.
 |
| The AWD system sends 70% of the power to the rear wheels. |