So, is all this beauty only skin deep? Well I don't think so. Chrysler will surely offer a 6-cylinder version, probably a massaged variation of the 3.5-L unit currently in the 300M, as its base engine so that its price of entry can be kept as close to $40,000 as possible. That said enthusiasts will want to option up to the Hemi V8, short for hemispherical, which describes the shape of the inner-chamber of the cylinder head. This design permits a more efficient and complete burn of the fuel and air mixture resulting in superior performance over a non-hemispherical design.
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| The 340-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine should be good for 0 to 100 km/h sprints of around 6 seconds. (Photo: Chrysler) |
The eight hemi-head cylinders displace a volume of 5.7 liters (348 cu in) and collectively pump out 340 horsepower and a walloping 390 lb-ft of torque. Look for a 0 to 100 km/h time of approximately 6.0 seconds - very impressive for a sedan weighing in at an estimated 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs).
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| To ensure that drivers aren't overwhelmed by the Hemi's power, Chrysler will load the 300C with electronic safety features. (Photo: Chrysler) |
Converting this mass of raw power into manageable forward motion is a 5-speed automatic transmission featuring Chrysler's AutoStick, manual-shift format. To ensure that drivers aren't overwhelmed by the Hemi's power, Chrysler emptied the vehicle control technology cupboard incorporating such goodies as electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes into every 300C.
Cutting-edge for a full-size rear-wheel drive American sedan is the 4-wheel independent suspension that will manage wheel movement at all four corners. An independent 5-bar multi-link set up in the rear should enable the 300C to absorb bumpy road surfaces without coming unglued or unsettled, especially when carving a turn at highway speeds. That alone will be a welcomed relief to those of us who favor rear-wheel push over front-wheel pull for vehicle mobilization.