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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. 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT Concept 
While the rest of the auto world has its eyes set on New York - and Seoul, for that matter - Chrysler took to an event across America to unveil a unique special-edition 300C. At the eighth annual Spring Festival of LXs, a conceptual model of the 300 SRT was introduced to the public, one that SRT proclaims as having been "conceived and constructed in-house over the course of one month." It also marks the second custom 300 SRT to debut at Spring Fest. Dressed in a non-metallic "straight shade" paint finish, the 300 SRT Concept appears to look straight out of a modern-day classic magazine. Adding to the appeal of the special-edition model are blacked out details throughout the vehicle, including the window moldings, the mirror caps and taillamps, and most distinct of them all, the new matte-finish Black Vapor Chrome wheel that could potentially be a preview of the next generation of wheel finishes coming out of SRT. SRT has promised studio photos of the new 300C SRT Concept in the near future. For now, though, these photos from the event will have to make do.
2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos EditionEarlier this year, Chrysler and Detroit-born fashion designer John Varvatos collaborated to build a unique, one-off 300S that was eventually auctioned off at the John Varvatos 9th Annual Stuart House Benefit with the proceeds going to benefit The Rape Foundation in support of Stuart House. We’re saying this because as it turns out, Chrysler and Varvatos’ collaborative endeavors weren’t just limited to a one-off model. That’s because the two have also built a pair of bespoke luxury sedans together based on the 300C. The two models, called the John Varvatos Limited Edition and the John Varvatos Luxury Edition, show what happens when you get two of Detroit’s finest to build a car together. Given the credibility and respect John Varvatos commands in the fashion industry, these pair of special edition 300C models bearing his name prove that when it comes to perfectly blending his hometown’s blue-collar appeal with the luxury of a car like the 300C, the man has the pulse of the action. UPDATE 3/25/2013: We are eagerly anticipating the release of the John Varvatos Edition of the 2013 300C and Chrysler has just released an ad teasing its release. The press release also unveiled a rough release date. Find out the release time frame after the jump and you can see the video above. Find out more about the Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Edition after the jump. Full story 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core
Alongside the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 "Core", Chrysler also brought a “Core” version for the 300 SRT8 to the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Just like the Challenger model, the new 300 SRT8 Core version is also considerably cheaper than the standard 300 SRT8: $43,995 vs. $47,995. Just like with the Challenger SRT8 "Core" version, the new 300 SRT8 Core has also been inspired by models like Charger SRT8 Super Bee and SRT Viper. The new 300 "Core" Edition receives special badges on the front fender, a set of upgraded wheels and on the inside, seating surfaces with the same "Ballistic" cloth inserts from the SRT Viper. The $4k difference in the car’s price is given by the lack of all those fancy features you may have been used too, as the new Core editions were specially designed "with the back-to-basics performance driving enthusiast in mind." Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core. Full story 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier Edition
Chrysler is expanding its 2013 300 lineup with the addition of a new special-edition model, known as the 300 Glacier. This special 300 is built on the 300S model and is on sale now. The new 300 Glacier can be ordered with either the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers a total of 300 horsepower or the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with an output of 363 horsepower. Whichever engine option is chosen, the car will be offered with the segment’s most advanced AWD system. This system features a segment-exclusive active transfer case and front-axle-disconnect system to improve real-world fuel economy. As its name suggests, the 300 Glacier is offered in a Glacier Blue Pearl Coat exterior paint combined with unique body-color fascia accents, gloss-black mirrors, headlamp bezels, and Black Chrome sculpted horizontal grille. The car sits on unique 19-inch eight spoke aluminum wheels finished in Satin Carbon with P235/55R19 all-season performance tires. For the interior, the 300 Glacier Edition adds sports seats, embroidered "Glacier" logos, and Piano Black accents on the interior center stack, instrument panel, steering wheel, gauge cluster and door panel. Updated 01/18/2013: Chrysler has unveiled today full picture gallery and prices on its latest addition to the 300 lineup: the new Glacier Edition. The model is now on sale at a price of $36,845. 2013 Chyrsler 300S Turbine Edition
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world’s first gas-turbine-powered car, Chrysler has decided to unveil a one-off special edition 300 that sports certain elements of the unique 1963 Chrysler Turbine Concept. Being built as a one-off to celebrate the Turbine Concept, we expected it be turbine powered as well. Sadly, however, the gas turbine project was terminated in 1977, since then gasoline-powered engines have risen to be the top choice for making practical engines. Automobile History-101 aside, this special edition will be based on a Chrysler 300, much like the Motown Edition that was recently launched. The Turbine Edition has the same Turbine Bronze matte paint job that graced the original ’63 concept along with a glossy black roof. The front end of this 300S now has a more in-your-face look to it, more like the SRT version, with different upper and lower grilles and black tinted headlamps for a retro look. The main spectacle of this edition is the 22-inch "Turbine" rims that give it a cool and retro stance, though we wouldn’t recommend doing a burnout with those larger-than-life rims. Unfortunately, this is a one-off model and it appears as if there are no plans to offer such a package to the public. The 300S Turbine Edition is on display now, at the Detroit Auto Show.
2013 Chrysler 300 Motown EditionChrysler has announced the launch of the special 300 Motown Edition - a new model that pays tribute to "the Motor City’s resurgence and determination through Detroit-born style and world-class ingenuity." The new 300 Motown Edition will go on sale in the spring of 2013 at a starting price of $32,995. On the exterior, the new special edition 300 sedan will be identified by bright chrome front and rear fascia accents, mirror caps, door handles and daylight-opening surround. Mopar has also added a special bright chrome grille with seven sculpted horizontal blades and a new set of 20" polished "heritage" design aluminum wheels, giving the 300 Motown Edition the distinguishing characteristics that does justice to its designation. Customers can also choose from among four exterior colors for the special edition 300, including Bright White, Gloss Black, Deep Cherry Red and new Jazz Blue. Black "Motown" fender badges round out the pretty significant body dress-up of the vehicle. For the interior, Chrysler combined a black trim environment with leather seats in Pearl White Nappa leather, and featuring "Motown" logos embroidered on the front seat-backs. The center stack, instrument panel, steering wheel, gauge cluster and door panel elements are being offered in Piano Black, and as a contrasting element, Chrysler added authentic a Black Olive Ash wood trim and satin silver finished accents. Under the hood, the model keeps the usual 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with an output of 292 horsepower and combined with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
Autoweek America Adventure is giving away a 2012 300 SRT8 Autoweek America Adventure is holding a 7-day-long rally sponsored by SRT on October 24th, which runs from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Los Vegas. Along the way, drivers are required to endure certain tasks and tests to earn points. In a way, it is a race between the two cities, but speeding is strictly prohibited and you lose points for it. You must also navigate the route perfectly and hit each checkpoint at a certain time. If you are too early or too late to the checkpoint, you lose points. At the end of each day, the team with the most points gets a key and at the final rally event, the SEMA show, the key holders will all try their keys in the ignition of a 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8. Whoever’s key starts this mighty luxury car gets to drive it and its 470-horsepower, 6.4-liter V-8 engine home, netting themselves a free $47,670 car. The entry process is pretty simple; just head over to the Adventure America website and bang your mouse on the “Register” link at the top of the page. From there, just enter all of your information and the information of you teammate(s), then pay your $5,000 registration fee for your team – c’mon, you didn’t think it would be free, now did you? You have to have a car that can at least make it to and from Las Vegas too. That five grand, however, pays for all of your hotels, meals, drinks, and track fees during the trip, plus it pays for your entrance into the SEMA show. Also, if you use the promo code “Fox 12” during your registration process, you get to use a Dodge Challenger or Chrysler 300 rental car to get you to or from Los Vegas, courtesy of Fox Rent-a-car. So check it out and see if you can get yourself into a brand new 300 SRT8! Video: Chrysler promotes new Batman flick with "Imported from Gotham City" adCapitalizing on the hype being generated by The Dark Knight Rises, Chrysler has partnered with Warner Brothers on a new commercial that takes the reigns from the automaker’s highly-popular "Imported from Detroit" campaign with something a little more appropriate to the movie’s setting. The ad takes us to what we can only assume is Bruce Wayne’s BatCave where a number of engineers are piecing together a concept version of the 300C that fits more into Batman’s wheelhouse. We don’t know a whole lot about the car, but the jet engine thrusters on the rear are as good an indication that this isn’t just another 300C sedan. Towards the end of the ad, the tagline "Imported from Gotham City" is shown, taking the place of Chrysler’s "Imported from Detroit" tag. It remains to be seen if Batman’s 300C will make a cameo in the movie itself, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it actually did. Imagine what kind of sales the 300C is going to get when folks realize that it’s got the Dark Knight’s stamp of approval. Could be quite an advertising coup for Chrysler again.
Rumormill: Lancia May Turn the Chrysler 300 into a Two Door
Ahh, rumors in the automotive world spread just about as fast as the rumor that the captain of the football team was kissing the head of the girls’ chess team under the bleachers at the homecoming dance… And we love ‘em. The latest rumor is an interesting one that actually has a fair amount of validity. Lancia is one of the many companies under the protective umbrella of Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. and it loves to borrow its models from Chrysler, add a few small touches, and call it their own. One of the latest models to make the Lancia conversion was the Chrysler 300, which prances around Europe bearing the name “Lancia Thema” (image above). That’s not the rumor though, as we already know all about that. The rumors being whispered are that Lancia really wants a full-size coupe for its European market and the only car available to possibly satisfy this itch is the Chrysler 300. Ask any custom coach builder and he will tell you that turning a four-door body into a two-door car is not as tough as you may think, but going the other direction is nearly impossible. So, if Lancia decides to hack up the B-pillar on the 300, shorten the opening a little and slap two fewer doors on the 300, would this model make it to the U.S.? The two-door full size car essentially died with the downsizing of vehicles in the late-1970s, but a small niche market may be in order. This also spawns the possibility of Chrysler finally satisfying its nostalgia buffs by taking the two-door blueprints that Lancia would create and turn that into a two-door Charger. The pair of extra doors have always been a thorn in the side of Charger buffs, so Chrysler could breathe a little extra life into both models – not like the 300 needs more life, but extra sales can’t hurt – by offering two-door models of each. This is certainly an interesting rumor to ponder and we are more likely to see pigs fly before we see a two-door 300 and Charger, but we’re telling you there’s a chance. 2012 Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design ConceptNext to the Jeep Wrangler Year of the Dragon Concept, Chrysler has unveiled a 300C design concept at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibitio that was created specifically with Chinese elements in mind. The new Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept features a Maximum Steel exterior color combined with dark chrome on the door handles, grille surround, and lower grille tracer. Exterior touches continue with a polished ruyi-inspired signature grille with dark chrome throats, bluish steel-grey tinted glass, a ruyi Chinese character badge on the deck lid, and a ghosted speed stripe running along the side character lines. Then, of course, we shoudn’t forget about the unique 22" concept alloy wheels in a ten-spoke design. The interior has received black chrome on the outer dash vents, navigation screen and center dash vent surrounds, gauge rings, steering wheel rim, and door handles. These black accents have been combined with a brush trim used for the center console, upper door panels, and flanking the dashboard. The seats are wrapped in a light-tone leather-wrapped seating surfaces with suede center inserts and side bolsters. UPDATE 04/24/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images for the Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept. UPDATE 05/02/12: Chrysler has released a two-minute, getting-to-know video about the 300 Ruyi Concept, a car that we saw last month at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. If you don’t know a whole lot and you’re interested to know more, this video is a good place to get started. Check it out by clicking on the photo above.
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