2006 Chrysler 300: Power to Spare AND Luxury!
Summary
When it debuted as a 2005 model, the Chrysler 300 revived the long-dormant
tradition of the full-size, high-style American performance car. The 300's
namesake and inspiration, the original Chrysler C-300 of 1955, was one of the
defining members of the big-muscle breed, powered by the original edition of
Chrysler's famous hemispherical-head V8 known as the Hemi. Later 300s featured
bigger Hemi engines and better-handling chassis. And now Chrysler is following
this tradition, too. Released in the spring of 2005, the 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT8
upped the Hemi ante with 6.1 liters of displacement, 425 horsepower, and a
chassis tuned for grand touring.
Full Review 2006
The Chrysler 300 styling is distinctive, and its interior is roomy,
efficient and stylish. Pieces of Mercedes-Benz are slipping into Chrysler cars
nowadays, and the 300C features a Mercedes-like steering wheel, leather under an
arc of wood at the top.
A Chrysler 300 with a 2.7-liter V6 retailed for the low price of $24,450
including destination. It's a large, modern, stylish, comfortable car for a
small price. Better is the Touring model, with leather, a powerful 3.5-liter V6,
and all the latest active safety features.
Along with the new Dodge Charger, the 300 is the first big, rear-wheel-drive
sedan to come out of Chrysler in many years, replacing the front-wheel-drive LH
line which, in one form or another, had served Chrysler since 1993. Back then,
there were engineering cases for front-wheel drive, including reduced
manufacturing costs and more efficient packaging. But the way Chrysler sees it,
more prosperous times call for more performance-oriented cars, and rear-wheel
drive remains much better than front-wheel drive for managing horsepower.
New technology has also helped the case for rear-wheel drive. Traction
control, electronic stability programs, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake
distribution all improve the driver's ability to control the car. All-wheel
drive is available for drivers who want more traction.
Trims and Styling 06
Four engines are available in the 2006 Chrysler 300: 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter
V6s, and 5.7 and 6.1-liter Hemi V8s. Trim levels are keyed to engine size.
The base Chrysler 300 ($23,775) comes with a 2.7-liter double-overhead-cam
V6 making 190 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, and rated 21/28 EPA miles
per gallon. Cloth interior with an eight-way power driver's seat are standard,
along with solar window glass.
The new Great American Package ($1,435), available only on this base model,
enhances safety with antilock brakes, emergency brake assist, electronic
stability program and traction control, front and rear side-curtain airbags, and
heated mirrors; plus comfort, convenience, and appearance features including a
6-CD changer with MP3 capability, carbon-trimmed instrument panel, and 17-inch
machined-face wheels.
The 300 Touring ($27,825) uses a 3.5-liter single-overhead-cam V6 making 250
horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, rated19/27 miles per gallon on
recommended 89 octane (87 acceptable). The 300 Touring also adds on the goodies:
leather interior, 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and fog lamps. Antilock
brakes with emergency brake assist, electronic stability program and traction
control are also standard. Touring is also available with all-wheel drive
($29,825), which includes a five-speed automatic transmission with semi-manual
AutoStick control.
The 300 Limited ($30,820) also begins with Touring equipment but adds chrome
wheels, heated front seats, power passenger seat, automatic headlamps, automatic
temperature control, Sirius Satellite Radio and electronic vehicle information
center. The 300C brings the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 mated to the five-speed automatic
with AutoStick, in both rear-wheel ($33,725) and all-wheel-drive ($35,050)
versions. Also standard are 18-inch chrome wheels, dual exhaust, projector
low-beam headlamps, a premium leather interior and, new for 2006, power
adjustable pedals. It also has bigger and more powerful front brakes, because
the engine is some 300 pounds heavier than the V6, and the car is considerably
faster. The Hemi engine was brutally tested by Chrysler engineers, and is
covered by Chrysler's 7-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The SRT8 ($39,920) tops the 300 pecking order. This is a true
high-performance sedan, in the mode of BMW's M models or Mercedes' AMG brand,
and it features loads of performance tweaks, unique design features and most of
the luxury gear. The SRT8's centerpiece is a 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi V8.
Options
Stand-alone options include front and rear curtain airbags, Boston Acoustics
premium sound system, air filtration, ultrasonic rear object detection,
self-sealing tires, hands-free cellphone capability, power adjustable pedals,
premium sound system, GPS Navigation system, SIRIUS satellite radio, sunroof,
walnut interior accents and Xenon high-intensity headlamps. Higher-level models
can be ordered with a DVD entertainment system integrated into the center
console.
The Chrysler 300 is clearly bold and, we would argue, cool. Rear-wheel-drive
architecture allowed this whole new shape. The wheelwell cutouts, wrapping
around 17 or 18-inch wheels, are striking. The wheelbase is long for a modern
car at 120 inches (the 1955 original stretched 126), but the overhangs are
short, offering a visual sense of power. The front and rear ends direct air flow
through unique ducts that cool the brakes, while a specially designed rear
spoiler increases rear downforce by 39 percent, helping keep the rear tires
firmly planted at high speed without increasing drag. Yet the coolest thing
about the SRT8 might be its 20-inch, forged aluminum wheels and asymmetrical
high-performance tires. These maximize that visual power, and they're staggered
in the classic track-performance tradition, with the rear tires slightly wider
than the fronts.
Styling and Interior Features
The interior of the Chrysler 300 is marked by spacious silence. The 60/40
split rear folding seat, with a folding center armrest and integrated cupholders,
offers a relaxing 40 inches of legroom, although because it's rear-wheel drive
the driveshaft tunnel on the floor down the center of the car has returned. The
300C steering wheel is a nice four-spoke design with tortoise shell trim making
a gradual arc along the top, like a Mercedes-Benz wheel.
First Drive 2006
From a handling standpoint, the 300 is heavily and positively influenced by
a design borrowed from the Mercedes E-Class: five-link rear suspension mounted
to a subframe, and the short-arm/long-arm front suspension, modified for the
300's longer wheelbase, wider track and bigger wheels. Result: great ride,
reasonable parking. And the cornering is good enough that higher-performance
tires should be made available. It felt heavy but not big, and was responsive
and confident.
We tossed the big 300C from side-to-side through switchback turns, and it
beautifully maintained an even keel, with an insignificant amount of body lean,
especially considering that it's called a family sedan, not a high-performance
sports sedan.
Driving the 300C hard over some twisty mountain roads, the big Bosch-built
brakes really did the job. The 300C rear rotors are 12.6 inches and vented (same
size but unvented in the other models). Antilock brakes with electronic brake
distribution, which balances front and rear, are standard on all but the plain
300.
With traction control, antilock brakes and stability control, it's effective on
snowy and icy roads. Most versions are available with all-wheel drive. The 300
is exceptionally quiet and offers a wonderfully smooth and solid ride with tight
handling.
Conclusions 2006
The Chrysler 300 stands out with bold styling harkening back to its glory
days in the 1950s. Like its ancestors, the 300 uses rear-wheel drive, better for
power and handling.
TheAutoChannel.com says "This car is so comfortable to drive."
TheCarConnection.com adds (300) is "A sinewy alternative to
the big bad American sedan."With traction control, antilock brakes and
stability control, it's effective on snowy and icy roads. Most versions are
available with all-wheel drive. The 300 is exceptionally quiet and offers a
wonderfully smooth and solid ride with tight handling. It's very roomy inside
with an intelligent instrument panel and controls, and is also easy to climb in
and out of.