That my friend is a sad state of affairs, that fortunately is about to change come mid 2004 when Chrysler will deliver what I consider, based on the concept version, to be the best looking 4-door sedan ever, bar none. Nope, not even BMW or Mercedes can match what I've seen so far. The basic 4-door sedan shape can be described as chiseled and angular. A large crosshatch grille precedes a long sculpted hood, followed up by a rakish windscreen leading to an expansive flat roofline and short trunk deck.
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| Move over BMW and Mercedes, from what I've seen the 300C is the best looking 4-door sedan ever, bar none. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
The sizeable body is tastefully highlighted by chrome trim applied with great restraint. However, the large 20-inch chrome, nine bladed, in-your-face alloy wheels and low profile tires exhibit an aggressive appearance, nicely filling the bulging fender-wells. The front wheels each take up an 8-inch swath of pavement, while the wider rear-wheels each demand 9-inches of tarmac.
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| The rear of the 300C is sharply-cornered, uncluttered, and shouts, "don't fool with me". (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
View the 300C from the rear and you'll ogle a stout, sharply-cornered presence that is clean and uncluttered. Subtle cues such as an exhaust port cut into either side of the rear bumper and 9-inches of rubber contacting the pavement at both rear corners send a "don't fool with me" message to those intending to muscle past the big sedan.
As I examined photos of the 300C, I was transfixed on the images as if viewing an epiphany of sorts. That was soon followed by an appreciation for the muscular 1960s design cues that magically blend with modern aerodynamic lines and features. "And the award for most striking and visually stunning design in the 4-door sedan category goes to the Chrysler Group for the 2005 300C," I said to the faithful pooch snoozing at my feet.