The 300C sports all the important safety and convenience items requisite in this category. A few of these features include all the expected power amenities, automatic climate control, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, and an integrated navigation/audio system with a dash-mounted 6-disc CD changer. Active safety features include high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, traction control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Incidentally, the new LX platform that the 300C rides on accepts an all-wheel drive setup, but it isn't expected at least at first.
 |
| The current Chrysler 300M is a solid performer, a worthy contender in the entry premium class. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
But with the stiff competition in the premium sport sedan market, will the production version of this 300C be the vehicle Chrysler needs to keep its growth at the forefront of the domestic brands? First of all to be realistic, while the current 300M is a good seller the brand has made most of its gains over the last 10 or so years, from 130,000 units in 1991 to 481,000 in 2002, with cars like the Sebring sedan and convertible and PT Cruiser crossover - it's Town & Country minivan has always been a giant seller.
Still the new 300 should make solid ground on the current 300M, a formidable performer in its own right with an extremely strong 3.5-L V6 engine and athletic handling worthy of comparison to European sport sedans. The new model, however, should not only raise the current bar noticeably, but bring the Letter Series car back in line with the rear-wheel drive, V8 powered layout made legendary nearly 50 years ago in the original 1955 300-C.