gavriil

The new shape of Chrysler was unveiled today (16 April) in New York with the worldwide debut of the 300C concept vehicle. The car, revealed at the 2003 New York International Auto Show, features an entirely new shape based on Chrysler’s all-new rear-drive architecture. The striking concept saloon continues the Chrysler brand’s proud ‘letter series’ tradition - but in a thoroughly modern way. It has been nearly five decades since Chrysler first introduced its fabled ’letter series’ cars. The brand’s renowned line of Chrysler 300s started with the C-300 in 1955, and continued for 11 years.

This Chrysler 300C concept features classic proportions - a long bonnet, short deck and a dramatic profile complete with 20-inch tyres. Paying tribute to some of the first ’letter series’ cars, a production version similar to the Chrysler 300C concept will go on sale in the USA in 2004. No decision has been made yet on whether the car will be available in right-hand drive form.

"Chrysler 300C signals a dramatic new design direction for Chrysler," said Dr Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group. "With its new shape and noble proportions, the Chrysler 300C redefines the classic American car, while moving the brand solidly into the premium segment of the market."

While Chrysler 300C is a concept vehicle, it provides a strong hint at the first saloon from Chrysler Group’s much-anticipated next generation of rear-wheel drive vehicles to debut in 2004.

Dr Zetsche added: "With recent introductions including the innovative Chrysler Pacifica sports tourer, the head-turning Crossfire sports coupe, and now the all-new 300C, the Chrysler brand has one of the most impressive product portfolios in the industry."

Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler and Jeep in the UK said: "300C is indeed a fantastic-looking vehicle. We have put the case forward to our colleagues in America for it to be manufactured in right-hand drive and we are optimistic that we’ll get a good response."

Chrysler 300C Concept Sedan:

Performance

· 5.7-litre HEMI® V-8 engine
· Electronically-controlled five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®
· Rear-wheel drive configuration
· Short- and long-arm front suspension
· Independent five-bar multilink rear suspension
· Rack and pinion steering
· Front P245/45R20, Rear P275/40R20 tyres
· Deep-dish 20" x 8" front/20" x 9" rear five-spoke wheels
· Dual exhaust

Features

· Tortoiseshell accents on steering wheel rim, shifter knob and door pulls
· Heated leather seats
· Leather-wrapped steering wheel with flush-mounted audio and trip computer controls
· Tilt-telescoping steering wheel
· Automatic temperature control

Safety

· Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
· Traction Control
· Anti-lock brake system
· Vehicle architecture supporting all-wheel drive system
· High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
· Navigation radio with integrated six-disc CD changer

gavriil

Not bad.

Zoot

looks like an old New Yorker.

Aquineas

Looks like a 'generic American car' that you'll see video game manufacturers put in games when they don't have an image reproduction license.

Collective27

I dont like it...the front is to..squarish i guess...just dont realy like the look..but then again i dont like anything from chrylser.

jimcol711

very very impressive, looks like a bently!! and that 5.7 hemi will fucking haul ass

danny25

looks like a mob car... kinda cool. Definately like the hemi. But shouldn't the new 300 car be the 300N?

Zoot

gavriil

charliemike

I really like it! Nice!

Red Nj-s

Pimp car. Looks very solid, and well engineered. Should be a seller.

Python2121

7 series competitor?

ItalianStallion

DEF NOT A 7 COMPETITOR.
theres no way chrysler would be considered with BMW in the Super Lux Sedan category.

i like the look. by far the best crystler has put out as an idea in a long time. it looks so classy and luxurious for a domestic. the grill def screams bentley though. not that thats a bad thing.....

EdgarFanCLS

Yeah, this wouldn't be a 7 competitor. I'm guessing when this car goes to production it would likely replace their current 300M. In which case, they'd probably market this in a similar price range (29k-33k base), with an obligatory bump in price... maybe 35k-38k.

Is there any info on what parts bin they would be raiding for this car? That is, would it be going the Crossfire/Pacifica/SRT-8 Magnum route with sharing Mercedes parts?

Anyway, looks like a pretty nice car. The squarish, wide stance gives it a nice aggressive look without being ridiculously retro like a Cadillac CTS. I agree with the Bentley comparisson, although it obviously isn't a Bentley or meant to compete against one, it gives that feel from the look of it.

1SICKLEX

Wow, very nice. Looks very AMERICAN. I like it. Ther rear looks bulky but overall a distictive, very nice design. Ther interior looks good too. RWD, V-8! WHat! Go Chrysler!!!

cusdaddy

I really like it. Very distinctive and it has a nice presence about it. The Hemi is a GREAT engine, so this could possibly be a hit. I wonder what the price will be though???

ItalianStallion

id have to say mid 40s. no way you could get a premium lookin car like this with RWD and a V8 for under 40. with options it would be higher ofcourse. i mean comon how low could they go?

1SICKLEX

WHoa, 45k. They are nuts. No way in hell.

chef chris

I thought this was supposed to be part of their sudo-luxury brand. Didn't they buy into a 'Bentley-esk" brand?

I can't remember the name, but it was pretty fvckin expensive shiit.

ricardo

im sick of christler's retro BS :x

Zoot

Maybach?? That is more on the mercedes side of the company....they have their own cars. This is a Chrysler.....

chef chris

I wonder if this is part of the new Chrysler(Crossfire) or if this is the product of a previous design that's just now come to market(Magnum). I read on CNNfn about them sharing platforms with Maybach/Mercedes/Mitsu and even putting Hyundai engines in the Neon very soon. The article stated that's how they're going to cust costs to become profitable again.

Sarlacc

I just saw the test car for this on Wilshire Blvd this afternoon 7/14/03

This car is a monster, its HUGE and the grille is HUGE!!! and it was flying down the road very quickly, but I know it was the test vehicle cause it was total matte black paint. Not all finished and purty like

I have to admit i was very impressed by what i saw in person.

06TSX6M

Like the front, back end is weak (especially the brake light design). What I like about it is that it says "high class". It looks very much like a Bentley design and with Hemi power you can't go wrong..........will definetely be a strong seller in the domestic market and might even steal some import buyers. I'm sure it will be 300 plus HP with tons or low end torgue (traditional Hemi style). Awesome wheels. Love to see some specs on the braking and engine configuration.

civic4982

looks nice... they just need to throw that 493 hp 6.0 L V12 Twin Turbo engine in there and it'll be perfect.

ItalianStallion

i like it. im sure itll sell like hot cakes. it just gives off a high class aura.

mattg

i like it.

it has a bentley look to it.

DISRUPTV

very classy


however 45k for it? Can u say DEPRECIATION?

stejus

It'll be a rattle box in two years just like all the other Chrysler products... I know, my wifes Caravan started rattling and some sad engine noises after two years. Chrysler has some pretty radical looking vehicles.. now if they could only keep them quiet!

heyitsme

sounds like a lot of other brands, import and domestic

gavriil

Posted by: kak on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 01:18 PM CET

Chrysler Group will provide further evidence of its rapid-fire new product offensive in Europe and other international markets when it reveals the new Chrysler 300C Touring Concept at the 60th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt on Tuesday, September 9.

· Noble and expressive American design with elegant interior appointments, draws from Chrysler 300C Sedan design cues

· A new alternative for the Chrysler brand in important European E segment wagon class

· New HEMI® V-8 engine offers legendary horsepower, torque and competitive fuel consumption in its class

The new Chrysler 300C Touring concept is the wagon version of the Chrysler 300C sedan concept, which was revealed earlier this year at the New York International Auto Show. The Chrysler 300C sedan concept will make its European show debut alongside the new Touring version at the IAA.

The Touring concept expands the Chrysler 300C model range and shares most of the design, powertrain, chassis, equipment, interior appointments and technical specifications of the sedan concept. Adding all-wheel drive, a high level of versatility and roomy comfort for driver and passengers - matched with the ride and handling of a European sports sedan - the new Touring will enable the Chrysler brand to compete in the European E segment where around 40 per cent of sales are wagon derivatives.

A production version of the Chrysler 300C Touring concept will be available exclusively outside of North America late next year, further solidifying the Chrysler brand’s premium position in the market.

With an entirely new shape based on the company’s all-new rear-drive architecture, the striking concept sedan - and now the wagon - continue the Chrysler brand’s proud “letter series” tradition, but in a thoroughly modern way.

These two Chrysler 300C concepts also mark the return of the HEMI® engine to the Chrysler brand after more than 30 years. The legendary engine design that powered Chrysler’s “letter series” cars in the 1950s has been re-engineered and reborn as a modern, high-performance and durable powerplant known as the all-new 5.7-litre HEMI V-8.

The HEMI fitted to the 300C vehicles is very fuel competitive in its class and produces more power and torque than any Chrysler brand passenger car engine since the 426 HEMI of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

gavriil

The rear looks even better than the front. Nice!

cusdaddy

Looks pretty cool, but somehow reminds me of a Hearse

matteichenfels

god, Chrysler has done it again...best looking cars on the road!

SiGGy

I agree, job well done!

I'd like to see what they would look like with blacked out lights, instead of the chome they have in there.

charliemike

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that just a Chrysler Magnum Hemi wagon?

kansaiwalker1

Yah, isn't this just the Dodge Magnum with the Bentley, err, "expressive" 300C front end?

gdubb

I might even pimp the wagon. I like it

pimpscls

huge grill

Moog-Type-S

Badass Wagon!