CHRYSLER has returned to the large-car fold in Australia with the launch of the new 300 – a successor to the retro 300C – with hopes of poaching more sales from the struggling Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.
The return of the company’s flagship model and volume-seller to the local market comes more than six months after the discontinuation of the original and, while the evolutionary styling clearly links it to the old one, the cabin is now a much classier affair.
Likewise, while the platform and many mechanical components soldier on from before – thank Chrysler’s financial woes following the global financial crisis – the company has added a smooth new Pentastar V6 and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission combination, and tweaked the rest.
The new model is available in four specification levels, but will be sold exclusively as a sedan. The previously available wagon body-style has gone the way of the Dodo.
300C Series II
Released: January 2008
Ended: January 2012
Family Tree: 300The previous Chrysler 300C – known as the Series II – was sold in Australia from January 2008 to the start of 2012. Best known for its distinctive retro styling, the car was an offbeat rival for the dominant locally made Commodore and Falcon.
Based on a rear-drive platform, the 300C was available with a petrol V6, petrol V8 and six-cylinder CRD diesel engine, as well as a thumping 6.1-litre Hemi V8 in the SRT flagship.
Available as either a sedan or wagon, the 300C became a moderate success Down Under, peaking with 1864 annual sales in 2006.
Get the full story: Chrysler tweaks the edges of its successful 300C sedan and wagon range
Super Test
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