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Chrysler’s full-size sedan, the 300, started production back in 2005 after appearing as a concept at the 2003 New York Auto Show. Available in five different variants (LX, Touring, Limited, 300C, and SRT8), the Chrysler 300 can be a steady family car or a more powerful people pusher. At the bottom of the engine lineup is the tamer 2.7L V6 engine with only 178hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, as well as the second V6 option with a larger 3.5L displacement that produces 250hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Picking up the pace is the 5.7L V8 engine that’s provides 360hp and 389+ lb-ft of torque, but the bad boy of the group – belonging to the SRT8 – is the 6.1L V8 pushing out 425hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. All engines are mated to either a 4- or 5-speed automatic transmission. 2012 Chrysler 300S by John VarvatosCharity auctions are always a great way to find special cars to buy, while also getting a chance to donate to a worthy cause. On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, the John Varvatos 9th Annual Stuart House Benefit will be host to an auction with a one-off, special edition Chrysler 300S designed by John Varvatos and inspired by his collections. All of the proceeds of the auction will benefit The Rape Foundation in support of Stuart House. Currently, the bid is at $48,546. This special edition Chrysler 300S will be distinguished by a special set of custom 20" wheels in a satin carbon finish and a very cool black paint for the interior. The interior also get seats and door panels decorated with black woven leather details and flat woven Heather fabric which brings an elegant Menswear appeal to the vehicle. The instrument panel, console lid, and door armrest are wrapped in black leather, while the steering wheel features a black two-tone color combo with an accent 360 ring. All of these elements are combined with satin chrome finishes. Under the hood, the engine remains unchanged: the 3.6-liter Pentastar engine delivers a total of 292 HP and is mated to an all-new segment-exclusive ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. 2012 Chrysler 300 Mopar ’12 
The last and arguably most impressive program Chrysler and Mopar built to celebrate the latter’s 75th anniversary is the Mopar 300, a comprehensive tuning program built for the Chrysler 300. As a special edition model, the Mopar 300 is distinguished by a slew of aerodynamic and aesthetic modifications, including a new black chrome grille, tinted headlights, blue decal body stripes with matching special badging, and a new set of 20" wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Meanwhile, interior modifications done on the Mopar 300 include perforated Katzkin leather seats, a thick-rimmed steering wheel with die-cast paddle shifters, carbon fiber trim, piano black accents, a new gear knob, an Alpine audio system, and a Uconnect Touch infotainment system. Performance modifications include a sport-tuned suspension system, high-performance brakes, and revised gearing, improving the acceleration capabilities of the 300’s 363-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine from six seconds down to around five seconds. Anybody looking to score a piece of this special edition, Mopar-tuned Chrysler 300 will get a chance to do so this summer when the car becomes available at a price of $49,700. 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series
When it comes to luxury sedans, Chrysler is the last manufacturer that comes to mind. However, that may change now that the company has announced the special edition 300 Luxury Series - the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler sedan ever. The new model will go on sale in the first-quarter of 2012 at a starting price of $40,145 for the 300 version and $42,895 for the 300C version. Since luxury is the key ingredient for this special edition, it comes equipped with ultra-premium leather, hand-sanded matte wood, and world-class craftsmanship and refinement. But what makes this car really special is its paddle shifting eight-speed transmission that can only be found in vehicles twice the price of the 300. The special transmission is coupled with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that delivers a total of 292 HP in the 300 and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine producing 363 HP in the 300C. Both models can be combined with an optional AWD system. Hit the jump to read more about the Chrysler 300 Luxury Series. Full story Chrysler Introduces New 8-Speed Automatic If you thought gearboxes fitted with seven-speeds had a few too many, hold on to your hats: starting this fall, 2012 300s and Dodge Chargers equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar VVT V6 engine will now have no less than 8 gears to choose from. Thank the heavens it’s an automatic. The new transmission, dubbed the 845RE, is manufactured by German specialists ZF. ZF is known to do hi-tech transmissions for a variety of Audi, BMW, Bentley, Range Rover, and Rolls Royce models. Though the transmission will be initially supplied by ZF, Chrysler says that they will take over development of the eight-speed rower in their Kokomo, Indiana transmission plant sometime in the future. The slick new transmission is slated to replace most of the five-speeds - which is an older version of a Mercedes-Benz designed transmission - in Chrysler’s lineup including V8s. There are several reasons to move to an automatic eight-speed transmission, primarily fuel economy. Being able to keep the revs lower for a longer period of time will result in better - around 15% better - combined highway and city driving. The 845RE is a fully electronic transmission that includes software featuring adaptive shifting characteristics depending on variables such as engine torque gradients, kick down, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, hill detection, friction detection, and downshift detection. Chrysler hasn’t said much about performance upgrades that are in line with the new transmission, but we suspect that the new eight-speed will also keep you within torque band longer if you so choose to floor it. Of course, if the new transmission makes it to the V8 Chargers, we don’t have to convince you to floor it. Chrysler’s Badly Needed Compact Cars Coming In 2012
Expect good things from Chrysler in 2012, beginning with the first appearance of the Fiat-sourced Dodge Caliber replacement at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. To be built on a stretched version of Fiat’s high-volume compact platform, the new Dodge Caliber (or whatever the replacement will be called) will likely be the first in a series of new compacts from Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep. The Fiat platform is so versatile that it can be used for anything from compacts through mid-size vehicles, making it the ideal choice for a cost-conscious manufacturer like Chrysler. Since Chrysler hasn’t focused on hybrids, electrics, or compact, fuel-saving engines to date, the automaker will have some catching up to do. Rumors say the new Chrysler compact cars will offer a range of normally-aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines, mated to eight and nine speed automatic transmissions for impressive fuel economy numbers. There’s even word of a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission, which probably means that a replacement for the Dodge Caliber SRT4 is in the works. We had a chance to speak with SRT head, Ralph Gilles, last spring, and he was tight-lipped about what may or may not be in the development pipeline. He was enthusiastic about their upcoming compacts, however, as well as the bound-for-the-U.S. Fiat 500 Abarth. There’s no denying that the SRT8 versions of the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 are fun to drive, but it looks like small-car Mopar fans will have a very good year ahead of them. SRT models in line to get new 540-570 HP supercharged engine When you buy a 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 or 2012 Dodge Charger SRT-8 you definitely will not be lacking power. These suburban bruisers are powered by massive 6.4 liter Hemi V8’s that pump out a spleen crushing 470 horsepower and 470 lbs/ft of torque. Now, what is an SRT-8 owner to do if he/she wants more power? The answer up to this point has been paying big bucks and taking it to a tuner, but now this will change. Chrysler is reportedly considering adding a top end engine option for certain SRT models. According to MotorAuthority, this new engine will be based on the current one albeit with a Eaton supercharger that will push the horsepower to between 540-570 horsepower. With this power addition, these muscle cars will be put on the road with Ferrari 458-esque power. Where do we sign?! In addition, to control the extra ponies, this new engine will supposedly be mated to a new eight speed automatic gearbox. This new engine can be implemented on those SRT models which are based on the LX platform (Sorry, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, no upgrade for you just yet). An exception may be the Dodge Challenger SRT-8 which is based on a tweaked LX platform. This is an important step in the reemergence of the muscle car in the American market. This reemergence has ignited an automotive world war with Ford, Chevy, and Dodge, each trying to outdo themselves in terms of engineering and appeal. This new Detroit cold war has only one winner and that is the muscle car enthusiasts around the world. Video: Chrysler SRT8 models burnoutThe 2012 Chrysler SRT8 model line-up includes four impressive vehicles: the Dodge Challenger SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chrysler 300 SRT8, and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. With all of these models sporting the same 6.4 liter HEMI V8 engine producing 470 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque, it seemed only natural that Chrysler would want to show them all off in a video doing some killer burnouts. If you’re a fan of screeching tires and white smoke, then this video is for you. If you are more of the data type then you’d be interested to know that Chrysler’s latest HEMI V8 can be mated to either a standard Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission or a dual-disc high performance clutch, depending on the model. The range of models also deliver a decent fuel economy, with our favorite - the Challenger SRT8 - providing up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway, as well as great performance. The muscle car can do the 0-60 mph sprint in the high 4-second range and the quarter-mile in the high 12s. Top speed has been increased to more than 180 mph with the manual transmission (173 mph in the automatic). 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8
Chrysler is up and running with its last attempt to make their 300 even the teensiest bit successful on the market and just a few months after the 300 sedan hit the ground running at the Detroit Auto Show, the company has now brought the 300 SRT8 (Street and Racing Technology) - the most powerful version in the line-up - to the 2011 New York Auto Show. The new 300 SRT8 comes with a distinct upgrade to the exterior, as well as the interior, and a bigger engine ready to spit out 40 HP and 45 lbs-ft more than the standard model. This new 6.4L engine will come equipped with a new active valve exhaust system and a five-speed automatic transmission with "Auto" and "Sport" modes. "We’re bringing three new and distinct models to our 300 lineup in 2012 with the 300 SRT8, 300S Series, and 300C Executive Series, each designed with specific consumer lifestyles in mind," said Olivier Francois, President and CEO - Chrysler Brand and Lead Executive for Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. "More than an icon of simple American motoring, the Chrysler 300 is an icon of attainable style and performance. For those customers who live for the sport of being first, the all-new Chrysler 300 SRT8 is the no compromises king of the hill, featuring the ultimate combination of world-class luxury and performance in our most powerful, best-handling sedan ever." UPDATE 07/15/2011: Chrysler has announced that the 2012 300 SRT8 will go on sale at a starting price of $47,995. The model will be built at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8. Full story 2012 Chrysler 300S
Chrysler is further expanding their 300 line-up with the addition of the new 300S models, offered in both V6 and V8 versions. The new models will arrive at Chrysler dealerships in the fall of 2011. "No chrome . . . no wood . . . matte carbon fiber finishes . . . unique black or Radar Red leather . . . our biggest wheels, and world’s first integration of Beats by Dr. Dre audio technology – the best standard audio system period. This is the new Chrysler 300S and it has an attitude that comes through loud and clear," said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand and Lead Executive for Marketing, Chrysler Group LLC. "For the Chrysler brand, it’s not just about design, it’s about substance. And with the Chrysler team working with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for months, I know the new 300S with its mapped sound waves, designed algorithms and unique Beats Audio components are a direct result from our model collaboration – a partnership between an OEM and the music industry – that makes the 300S perform with the power to play music as the artist intended it to be heard." Hit the jump to read more about the Chrysler 300S. Full story 2011 Chrysler 300C Executive Series
Chrysler is on a mission to prove that their 300 is a car worth producing and apparently they think their path to success includes a series of different variants at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Next to the 300 SRT8, Chrysler has also brought the 300C Executive Series, a model designed to become the most luxurious Chrysler flagship sedan ever. The new edition will be offered with ultra-premium leather, world-class refinement and handling, and state-of-the-art safety and connectivity features. The new edition will go on sale in Fall 2011. The Chrysler 300C Executive Series will be distinguished by a chromed fascia, mirror, and door handle accents with a unique platinum chrome finish. The platinum chrome finish extends to the grille surround and the platinum-chrome sculpted grille. The luxury continues for the interior as the 300C receives a plethora of leather adornments. There is a Mochachino or Black Poltrona Frau "Foligno" leather-wrapped instrument panel, cluster brow, center console side panels, and upper front- and rear-door panels, which is combined with premium Nappa leather on the door armrest, bolster, and center console armrest. The seats will be covered in a two-tone Mochachino or Black Nappa leather and will be combined with a Natural Pore Mocha or Pore Gray real wood trim finished in a low-gloss. The luxurious add-ons continue with a long range of options including a Uconnect Touch 8.4N with Garmin navigation, a 160-mph LED-illuminated instrument cluster with driver-selectable color EVIC, and a HomeLink universal transceiver. The less exciting technological options include power-adjustable pedals with memory, a power backlight sunshade, power-folding chromed exterior mirrors with memory, and auto-dimming and auto-tilt in Reverse. Finishing the exterior of the 300C Executive Series are premium 18-ounce berber floor mats with nubuck trim, satin chrome lower door sills with the "Chrysler" logo, LED illuminated interior door handles, and front and rear map pockets. | Chrysler 300 latest reviews:Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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