Chrysler has launched the 2011 300 sedan. It qualifies as an all-new car, although it’s hard to tell just by looking at the photos. The exterior has been revamped from the old model, while retaining the proportions and distinctive gangsta look. The new car’s windshield has been raked back three inches and the pillars slimmed down to improve visibility by 15 percent. The headlamps follow an elongated “C” shape dotted with LED running lights. The grille is comprised of horizontal chrome bars, from the previous eggcrate design. The rear still has upright taillights, with more pronounced creases in the trunklid and fear fenders—almost like tailfins. To our eyes, it’s a successful update of a very distinctive design.
The inside gets nicer materials, including the expected wood and leather. Satin and bright chrome accents combine with blue backlighting and LED ambient lighting to provide an appropriately luxurious experience. The UConnect system gains a large touchscreen integraged with Garmin navigation function.
The Mercedes-derived powerplants (the 300 is based on the W210 E-Class, after all) are replaced with new engines: an all-new aluminum 3.6-liter V6 with 292 bhp and 352 Nm, up a whopping 63 percent in power/36 percent in torque, and surpassing the old 3.5-liter V6. Fuel economy is quoted at 7.6 km/liter city. There’s also the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, its 363 bhp delivering sub-6 second runs to 100 km/h. The V8 can also cut fuel and cruise in four-cylinder mode. Drive goes to the rear wheels, with an available all-wheel drive version with active transfer case.
We’re hoping that CATS Motors launches this soon, and with a diesel option. Meanwhile, watch the reveal at NAIAS:
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