New Chrysler 300 turning heads in L.A.
Refined proportions bring more fluid look to the latest SRT model
On the 60th anniversary of the original 300, Chrysler unveiled the 2015 model.
As Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of the SRT Brand and chief design guru, explained, “Sometimes it’s necessary to over-design a car because it does not have the right proportions. With the 300, we had awesome proportions so all we had to do was lift the pen at the right time.”
No question about the proportions — they are first rate — and the look is more refined and it now has a fluidity to the look it previously lacked. It is a head-turner for sure. The new 300 will be offered in different flavours including 300 Limited, 300C, 300C Platinum and 300S models. The latter, when dressed in a vibrant red with black 20-inch wheels, says it means business. The Platinum, conversely, is all about luxury. From its quilted Nappa leather, hand-sanded wood trim and Poltrona Frau leather-wrapped dash, it brings upscale luxury down to an affordable level.
The engines include a 292 horsepower 3.6L V6 engine (300 hp in the S) and the 5.7L Hemi V8 with 363 hp. All variants get an eight-speed transmission with a rotary shifter (and paddle shifters on some models), as well as a choice of rear- or all-wheel-drive derivatives. Also new is an electric-assist steering setup.
New for 2015 is a Sport button that sharpens the throttle response, backs off the electronic nanny and firms the steering. On the AWD models it also sends more power rearward. Inside, the materials and instrumentation are noticeably richer than before and there are now more than 80 safety/security features available. The list runs from adaptive cruise and lane departure warning with an assist function to a full-on forward collision warning system that includes the ability to bring the 300 to a full stop if a collision is imminent.