First look: Chrysler stretches 300C sedan

CHRYSLER has added yet another 300C model to its growing list of variants.

The new long-wheelbase version, powered by the famed Hemi 5.7-litre V8 will debut at next week’s New York motor show and Chrysler Australia spokesman, Simon Johnson, said that if it was available in right-hand drive, it could come to Australia.

"Although we haven’t spoken about right-hand drive availability yet," he said.

Mr Johnson said a long-wheelbase 300C could appeal to fleet buyers and help expand the reach of Chrysler product locally.

Currently most 300C sales are retail but Chrysler Australia sees an opening in the fleet market area currently dominated by the Holden Statesman and Ford Fairlane.

A LWB model would be a good fit with the company’s sedan and soon-to-be-launched Touring and SRT-8 models, he said.

The LWB sedan is 153mm longer than the standard car and offers more than 1100mm of rear legroom.

The 300C is currently available in 183kW/340Nm 3.5-litre V6 or variable-displacement 250kW/525Nm 5.7-litre Hemi V8 guises.

Since its launch late last year, the V8 had been the predominant seller and demand has been strong with 130 300Cs sold last month.

Next month the 317kW 6.1-litre 300C SRT-8 goes on sale and in October Chrysler will add a 160kW/510Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel to the line-up, which will be unveiled at the Sydney motor show.

The SRT-8 is expected to sell for around $75,000 with the initial allocation of between 20 and 30 already sold out.

Buyers had expressed interest in the car sight-unseen even though prices had not been set, Mr Johnson said.

The 300C SRT-8 joins the Crossfire SRT-6 with the performance range also expected to be joined by an SRT-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee late this year.

Chrysler expects to receive 200 300C SRT-8s over the next 12 months. V6, V8 and diesel Touring models are also destined to join the line-up this year.

Like Australia, Chrysler in the United States believes the LWB model will appeal to the limousine industry but it also expects strong interest from retail customers.

Chrysler’s marketing communications director, David Rooney, said it would also offer many custom options.

In the US both the 300C Touring and 300C LWB models can be ordered with unique, personalised features, including illuminated rear writing tables, two 12-volt power outlets, footrests, illuminated vanity mirrors and directional reading lights for rear passengers.

Further customisation is available with bespoke paint colours or pinstriping.

A leading custom vehicle manufacturer, Accubuilt, which is based in Ohio, will modify the 300C LWB.