American Gods

TO THE WEST OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN, on a large continent known as North America, three gods have always fought for supremacy and power since time immemorial. From the first time an automobile rolled off the moving assembly line up to this very day Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have been locked in battle to woe the car enthusiast—American or otherwise. And although their battle has been predominantly on their shores, the world has witnessed a rebirth of sorts. In fact, the Philippines is no stranger to the first two brands mentioned, both of which have made successful comebacks after a long absence. And now, it’s just due time for the third giant to reawaken.

CATS Motors, Inc., a company synonymous with Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines has moved to complete its DaimlerChrysler portfolio by becoming the official distributor of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. With a new showroom along EDSA (next to Mercedes-Benz) and now backed up by a three-year warranty (the previous distributor only provided a year’s worth), the American brand is surely ready for a resurgence. Showroom and warranty aside though, the main selling point still has to be the line-up; and to that end, CATS Motors has delivered with three new vehicles—all distinctively American, all a cut above the rest: the Chrysler 300C, Town & Country and Dodge Durango.

Chrysler 300C

The Chrysler 300C is a car that needs little introduction. It’s one of the most successful American cars of this time winning one coveted award after another including Motor Trend Magazine’s Car of the Year, Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year and North America’s Car of the Year. The 300C is proof that Chrysler can still make one of the best luxury automobiles in the world—certainly up to par with anything the Europeans can dish out. Inside and out, it’s stunning with strikingly good looks and beautiful fit and finish. The long hood, short deck and dramatically square profile is muscular, while the standard double-spoke five-star cast alloy wheels with 225/60 R 18 Pirelli rubber give it a huge visual kick that pales to any car on the road. Powerful high-intensity discharge headlamps (HID) give a distinctive blue glow to the 300C’s front facia at night.

Inside, the 300C is equally beautiful and well-equipped. It gets everything as standard equipment: wood grain paneling, leather heated seats, moon roof, electronically adjustable front seats with memory, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer with Boston Acoustics 8-speaker system, dual zone climate control, an analogue clock and back-up sensors. The 300C also features class-leading interior space with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench with center arm rest and cup holder for better versatility.

While the 300C is glorious, the real surprise is its advanced engine and drive train package. For the first time since the 1950’s, Chrysler’s new legendary “letter series” car returns back to rear-wheel drive. This has enabled the engineers to boost the 300C’s performance with its standard 3.5-liter 24-valve V6. This 250 horsepower, 340Nm of torque power plant is mated to a four-speed automatic with cruise control. Soon to be available is the legendary HEMI V8. Its 5.7-liter of displacement, pumps out 100 horsepower and 190Nm of torque more than its V6 brother. It also features the industry’s first Multi-Displacement System (MDS). This enables the HEMI to shut down half its cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. The V8 also benefits from an additional forward gear. Both the V6 and HEMI V8 get Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment.

Chrysler Town & Country

The roomy, powerful and stylish Chrysler 300C may become the new choice for the board room meeting, but for those who need more seating capacity; there’s no substitute for the Chrysler Town & Country. One of Chrysler’s best-selling lines in North America, the Town & Country has already positioned itself before as a luxury minivan with first-class accommodation for seven. However, this year marks a revamp for the Town & Country, and although the changes are minimal, they’re effective.

From the outside, the 2005 Town & Country features a more prominent front grille with a larger “Chrysler wing” badge upfront. New dual headlamp clusters give this minivan better night time visibility, while new chrome grille inserts and a revised front bumper with round fog lamps put it in line with the family look. Since this is a comfort oriented vehicle, it’s shod with modest 215/65 R 16 Bridgestone tires.

Inside, the Town & Country benefits from better use of materials and finishing than before. It features a new satin-silver center console that runs throughout the entire front console, complimenting the two-tone cabin and leather seating surfaces. Other new amenities in this luxury minivan include the ubiquitous wood trim, a high-fidelity audio system and an analogue clock. For easier ingress/egress, the Town & Country is equipped with powered dual sliding doors and rear lift gate. Loading baggage won’t be a problem with Chrysler’s patented Stow-and-Go system for the second and third row. This enables the seats to magically disappear into the floor creating a wide, flat space without the use of tools. Since the Town & Country is made to carry the most precious cargo there is—your kids, it’s equipped with dual airbags, anti-lock brakes and a seat belt reminder system. Accommodation is no equal thanks to an extended wheelbase that stretches the Town & Country above its nearest competitors.

There’s only one engine available for the Town & Country, and it’s the robust and dependable 3.8-liter OHV V6 unit. This power plant, which sees action in its Dodge Caravan twin, develops 215 horsepower and 332 Nm of torque. The softly spring suspension, though still employing rear leaf springs has been re-tuned for improved handling and comfort. Chrysler also spent long hours in the wind tunnel to hone the Noise, Vibration Harshness levels. The 2005 is reportedly 16 percent quieter than the previous year’s model.

Dodge Durango

While both the Chrysler 300C and Town & Country are designed for the city streets, those with a more intrepid nature, will go for the all-new Dodge Durango. While the previous model was uninspiring, the new model is striking with its large crosshair grille and headlamp cluster. Using an American grizzly bear as a basis, the designers ended with an upright profile with flanked off wheel arches—raw, powerful and well-balanced. It may look large in photos, but the Durango retains its unique “in-between” size, meaning it’s not as compromised as a mid-sized SUV, but not gargantuan as a full-sized one. This equates to excellent seating for 7 without having to occupy a large footprint on the road.

Sister company Jeep’s expertise on SUVs has given the Durango an advanced drive train that’s equally robust and capable on- or off-road. The body-on-frame structure has been stiffed for better tarmac handling, while the standard 265/70 R 17 all-season tires provide the necessary grip. At the same time, the Durango’s high ground clearance, steep arrival/departure angle and four-wheel drive system make it as capable on the Rubicon trail. The four-wheel drive system has 6 modes: rear-wheel, automatic, full-time, low, locking and neutral, making it the most advanced in its class. The 4.7-liter Magnum V8’s 230 horsepower and 393Nm certainly won’t leave anyone lacking while five forward cogs on the automatic give it better fuel mileage than most.

Rugged and capable, the Durango is equally luxurious with leather seats, dual zone climate control, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, electronically adjustable front seats, satin silver accents and keyless entry with alarm and immobilizer all as standard.

All these vehicles from Chrysler and Dodge are certainly dreamy, but their prices are realistically attainable. Similar to a good price war in the North American market, CATS Motors has priced the 300C, Town & Country and Durango to put it in competitive terms with its American and Japanese rivals. The Durango for instance, which competes against the likes of the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Trailblazer is not that far off with its P 2.45 million tag. The Town & Country’s P 2.15 million asking price is again well within the region of the Toyota Previa and Chevrolet Venture. In the end though, the Chrysler 300C’s P 2.55 million tag is certainly inviting given its extensive specifications and powerful V6 engine—and its closest size rivals are almost double the price! At the rate things are going, these American gods are certainly going to become stuff of legend.

By Ulysses Ang