"We wanted to return to the proud, powerful lines that once made American automobiles the envy of the entire industry," commented Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President of Design, DaimlerChrysler. "At the same time we identified a dramatic new design direction that continues the Chrysler brand's longstanding tradition of innovative design."
Slit-like headlamps follow a similar design initiated by Crossfire, but appear more menacing on the larger car. The 300C doesn't make use of the Crossfire's vertical hood strakes, but its engine cover is much longer than the current 300 sedan, itself a cab forward design - the antithesis of the new model.
The 300C's greenhouse is long and low too, a narrow grouping of windows especially pronounced from profile view. Chrysler designers added a strong shoulder line, only interrupted by substantial chrome trimmed door handles and flared front wheel arches. A protective body moulding spans the wheel cutouts, adorned just ahead of the front doors with a crested 'HEMI C' badge.
From rear three-quarter view a slightly more formal C-pillar and dramatic near vertical tail lamps give the car a black tie look, with a tasteful decklid spoiler and fat dual exhaust tips poking out of an integrated rear skirt to add a racy touch. The latter item flows seamlessly around the bottom edge of 300C's rocker panels ending at the outside corners of its front lower fascia.