It's a 300C, but not as we know it. The standard Chrysler saloon has been given a canvas folding roof, and rechristened the Helios.

American firm ASC created the drop-top, but it has been designed without the approval of Chrysler. However, a good reaction from the firm's top brass could see it reach limited production.

One innovative feature is the 1.7-metre-long hood, which folds into a space measuring only 45cm wide. It's a proper four-door convertible, too; a rare sight because of the engineering costs of creating a crash-worthy vehicle. However, the Helios features a patented 'double-tunnel' chassis, which means it exceeds current crash standards in computer simulations, without the need for an ugly roll bar or bulkhead between the front and rear seats.

Strengthening adds 136kg to the weight of the car, and side-impact protection is on a par with the saloon, despite the pillarless doors. Bosses at ASC have yet to confirm a price, but with seven patent applications on its construction, the car won't be cheap. The standard 300C goes on sale in the UK in October.

BEIJING -- DaimlerChrysler will spend 300 million euros ($367 million) to establish its Chrysler brand in China by launching its popular minivan and 300C sedan in the world's fastest-growing auto market.

The world's fifth-biggest carmaker said on Friday the investment would help it triple Chrysler's sales in China -- from an admittedly low base -- where the brand has lagged rivals such as Ford Motor Co. and General Motors.

With the award-winning 300C helping to breathe new life into Chrysler's U.S. sales, the company is hoping it can work some magic in China.

The company was selling 1,000 to 1,500 of the 300C in China, all of them imported, Chrysler Chief Executive Tom LaSorda told reporters.

"If you take a look at Chrysler group sales in 2004 and 2005, they are extremely low. We're not happy with those numbers. But we anticipate over the next two or three years to more than triple that," LaSorda said.

The German-American company has laid out ambitious investment plans over the next five years that include making Mercedes cars and commercial trucks in China. It has also just won approval to offer financing.

Global automakers have earmarked $15 billion to more than triple annual capacity in China by 2008, fuelling fears of a margin-sapping glut and more price wars.

But a market slowdown has prompted some companies, including Volkswagen, to slow or freeze investments in carmaking as they gauge market conditions.

Although growth in China's auto market has slowed sharply from rates of more than 50 percent a few years ago, it is still expected to come in at about 15 percent this year, much stronger than in mature markets such as the United States and Europe.

The cars would be built at Daimler's joint venture with the Beijing Automotive Industry Corp., which has capacity of 80,000 vehicles a year and is currently equipped to make Jeeps, Mercedes sedans and Mitsubishi SUVs.

Chrysler did not plan on adding new capacity, but would tool existing production lines to crank out the 300C, which should roll on to Chinese streets in late 2006, LaSorda said.

And yes, Chinese horsepower addicts will be able to select the 5.7-liter V-8 Hemi engine, in addition to the more modest 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter V-6 powerplants.

Chrysler minivans would be made under a contract licence deal with Southeast Motors in the eastern city of Fuzhou. Southeast is a joint venture between Taiwan's China Motor Corp. and China's Fujian Motor Industry Group.

The 300 million euro investment also covers a deal with China Motor to build and sell Chrysler minivans in Taiwan.

# New “Heritage Edition” model pays homage to the 1957 Chrysler 300C which was described as the “Beautiful Brute”
# 2006 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition offers luxurious performance, exclusive features and unique heritage badging
# New model is the first Chrysler brand vehicle with SmartBeam TM headlamp technology

Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 21, 2005 -
Paying homage to the great Chrysler 300s of the late 1950s, the Chrysler Group announced today the new 2006 Chrysler 300C “Heritage Edition,” debuting Jan. 4 at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Available in dealerships this spring, the limited-production Heritage Edition is a performance specialty vehicle offering the power of the award-winning 5.7-liter HEMI® engine with the fuel-saving Multiple Displacement System (MDS), high-performance styling cues of the popular SRT line-up and exclusive features, including the first-time use of SmartBeam TM headlamp technology in a Chrysler vehicle.

And, to contemporize its illustrious past, the Heritage Edition has a chromed bodyside molding with a distinctive tri-color 300C badge that is modeled after the badge on the 1957 Chrysler 300C, a vehicle described in its day as the “Beautiful Brute.”

“The Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition honors the long line of beautiful Chrysler 300 vehicles by combining power and fuel-economy in a sporty, stylish package,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President – Chrysler.

The Heritage Edition includes P225/60R18 all-season touring tires and unique 18-inch chrome clad wheels with performance suspension, performance-shifting five-speed AutoStick®, responsive performance steering gear and a performance exhaust sound. The interior features SRT-inspired front seats with tri-color heritage badge on the seat backs, an exclusive interior two-tone color combination and an upgraded 368-watt Boston Acoustic seven-speaker sound system with subwoofer. It also features a new Smoke Translucent finish on the upper steering wheel and door pull handles. The Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition is offered in three exterior colors: Brilliant Black, Cool Vanilla and, at extra cost, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl, the first, true red exclusively available on this Chrysler 300 model.

The SmartBeam intelligent headlamp system is a premium, sophisticated aid for nighttime driving. It automatically and quickly adjusts high-beam brightness and intensity, depending on the surrounding nighttime light sources. The 2006 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition is the first, and only, Chrysler vehicle offering this technology in 2006. The High Intensity Discharger (HID) Xenon headlamps include high-pressure headlamp washers.

In addition to the standard features found on the 2006 Chrysler 300C, the new Heritage Edition also includes the following:

Sound Group II — including 368-watt amplifier, seven Boston Acoustics speakers with sub-woofer and AM/FM/Cassette/CD 6-disc MP3 radio
Power adjustable pedals with memory
SRT-inspired decklid spoiler
All-chromed grille
Chromed power, folding, heated mirrors
Priced at approximately $36,000, the Heritage Edition offers a well-equipped Chrysler 300C with performance oriented enthusiast equipment and new technology, at an affordable price.

Spy photographers have snapped some photos of a facelifted Chrysler 300C prototype. The car has new headlights — which are visible sans disguise — and new taillights. From the five test cars that have been spotted to date, only the tail-ends have been covered in camouflage, suggesting the changes to the rear might be more significant.

Some of the most extensive changes might come to the interior, where a complete overhaul is said to be planned. Speaking to the Automotive Press Association in May, Ralph Gilles, vice president of design at the Chrysler Group said, "we need an update […] you're going to see a significant improvement in the interior of that car."

Some of the most extensive changes might come to the interior, where a complete overhaul is said to be planned. Speaking to the Automotive Press Association in May, Ralph Gilles, vice president of design at the Chrysler Group said, "we need an update […] you're going to see a significant improvement in the interior of that car."