The new model should also cause serious concern for Ford's Lincoln division, a brand that is currently struggling with a lackluster lineup of cars. Cadillac has been making friends and enemies equally with its hard-edged 'art and science' approach to design, a clear target for the much more classically proportioned Chrysler.
It's difficult to say whether Japanese or German premium brands will lose sales to the 300C, maybe a few, but depending on price it could eat away at entry level premium cars such as Nissan's Maxima and Mitsubishi's Diamante - the Toyota Avalon is clearly not targeting the same clientele.
In the end Chrysler has penned a bold departure from its cab forward past. The 300C is long, lean and menacing, bound to cause a stir among the domestics and worthy enough to pull import drivers away from their trusty, but often mundanely predictable mid and full-size rides. As if we expected anything less.
Specifications:
- Body Type: 4-door sedan
- Layout: front engine, RWD
- Engine (est): 350 hp, 350 lb-ft of torque, 5.7-L, 16-valve V8
- Transmission: 5-spd auto with manual mode
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Curb Weight (est): 1,808 (4,000 lbs)
- Web Site: www.chrysler.ca
