Introduction
Throughout the late 50s and early 60s, the American performance market was controlled by a car, known only by a number; 300. The 300 letter cars of that era were not only amazing performers, but also full blown luxury cars. Offering all of the amenities of the foreign luxury cars, with the brute horsepower and cornering performance of the American muscle market. It was the power and class of the pre-muscle car era 300s that were the biggest influence in the design of the all new 2005 300C.
With the complete cancellation of the Plymouth line, and the relative ambiguity of the Chrysler brand name, Daimler-Chrysler Corporation was in need of something to spice up the Chrysler lineup, known mainly for their minivans in recent years. The once power-driven brand name was reduced to being known as a dressed-up version of Dodge's minivans, and Chrysler engineers saw the need to revamp the lineup, and with the help of the Crossfire, the new 2005 300 did just that. To do so, they took some of the wonder of the long time running luxury class leader, and brand cousin, Mercedes Benz, and considered the qualities of the European luxury car market.
The first feature that was similar to the European luxury cars was rear wheel drive, which was absent from most of the American half of DCX for quite some time, aside from the Viper and Trucks. With so few rear drive, non-performance cars available, the 300 already stood out from a great many of its American, and Japanese competitors.
The next aspect of European luxury wasn't a luxury option at all, but more performance. It was the same item that made the 300 letter cars of the 50s and 60s the monsters that they were, and that item is to be recognized by only one word….HEMI. The Hemi of the older 300C was a gas guzzling pure performance motor, which, with the rising gas rates, simply wasn't practical. So the massive cubes of the old Hemi was taken away, and thanks to modern technology, cubic inch displacement numbers like 392, and 426 were shrunken down to a fairly small 345 (5.7 liter). To further increase the fuel economy, this new 300C includes the all new Multi-Displacement System, which shuts down half of the cylinders under light loads. The biggest difference from the older 300's Hemi to the 2005's Hemi, is the power output. Even with the smaller engine, this new 5.7 Liter Hemi engine puts out a whopping 340 horsepower and 390 ft/lb of torque, and while some of the older 300's were capable of such power, few put out the performance numbers that the new 300C does, dashing through the ¼ mile in an amazing 13.9 seconds. For perspective buyers who don't need a weekend racer with the Hemi, the 3.5L High Output is offered in the Touring and Limited lines, and it pushes out 250 horsepower, making it competitive with most of the cars in the luxury market, especially within the Touring and Limited price range (around $27,000). When combined with the 5-speed Auto Stick Transmission, any of the engine options make for a driver friendly performance luxury hybrid.
Even without opening the hood, you can see the muscular American influence mixed with the fine lines of the European market. The low wide stance makes for excellent handling for such a big car. The flared fenders and front angled body carry a performance look, even with the sedan build. Keeping in accord with the luxury feel the front end, like much of the car is heavily chrome-clad. The huge chrome grill and chrome trimmed headlights add to the chrome inlay that wraps the entire body. Adding to the chrome gleam are the 17” or bigger chrome wheels, depending on the trim line. The interior of the new 300 is just as luxurious as the exterior, and has all the luxury standards as any car made in the world. Dual-zone climate control, heated power leather seats with driver memory, telescopic tilt steering, and Boston acoustic sound are just some of the luxury options that help the all new 2005 300 line stand out from the rest of the American luxury car class.
Engine:
The 2005 300 lineup offers 3 different engines; a 2.7 liter dual overhead camshaft Multiport Fuel injected V6 producing 190 horsepower and 190 ft/lb of torque; a 3.5 liter H.O. single overhead camshaft multi-port fuel injected V6 producing 250 horsepower and 250 ft/lb of torque, and, of course, the 5.7 Liter Hemi, which features the Multi-Displacement System, which builds 340 horsepower and 390ft/lb of torque. The MDS allows the Hemi fuel economy to increase by about 20% when not under load.
Transmission:
All of the AWD models, and the 300C RWD model comes standard with Chryslers new 5-speed AutoStick electronic automatic transmission. This is the first vehicle from Chrysler, or from any of the American side of DCX, to offer the 5-speed AutoStick. The addition of the 5th gear helps to increase fuel mileage, while the AutoStick feature helps to preserve the sports car field. A basic 4-speed automatic transmission some standard on all of the other RWD models, although the 5-Speed AutoStick is available as an option.
Handling:
300C, 300 Touring, and 300 Limited models are offered in both RWD and AWD starting in 2005. The 300 features a weight distribution ratio of almost 50/50, and when coupled with the 120 inch wheelbase, and a wider track than the older (1999-2004) 300M model, gives the 2005 300 an excellent footing for cornering at all speeds. The suspension is set up in such a manner to allow for proper weight transfer to the rear under acceleration. The 300 features the short and long arm (SLA) front suspension which allowed for more surface contact on the face of the tire during hard cornering, and the 5 link rear suspension helps to keep the power to the road during both acceleration and cornering. Also available on the 300 is an antilock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and traction control which functions over the entire range of the 300's 130 mph computer governed ability.
The ESP system was developed to assist drivers in the event of a sudden, and often violent steering maneuver. As the ESP system recognizes an oversteer or understeer issue, it applies the brakes or throttle to the wheels which will best assist the car in the steering maneuver.
The All-Wheel Drive System helps greatly to assist the driver in the event of limited traction, such as ice, snow, and wet conditions. In order to keep a Rear Wheel Drive feel to the All Wheel Drive setup, 62 percent of the power is sent to the rear differential, with the other 38 percent to the front wheels, and a center differential allows for all of the axles to turn at varied speeds to allow for smooth cornering, which is often an issue with 4WD or AWD vehicles.
Interior
While some of the performance features may be opted for, or against, depending on the average Joe's ability to quiet the gear head within, the interior styling, regardless of what options ordered by the customer, are always nothing shy of classy. The dashboard is adorned with Satin Silver accents, as are the shift console, steering wheel, and door panels. The steering wheel of the 300 line offers both tilt and telescopic movement to offer maximum driving comfort, and it offers a point of aesthetic wonder with a portion of it being leather wrapped, the top of the wheel being molded California Walnut or Tortoiseshell, and the wheel center holding mounted radio controls in Satin Silver, as previously mentioned. A look down through the ornamented steering wheel shows a very simple, retro-style gauge face in white, with black units and needles, and at night the white turns to a indiglo-style soft green. The interior fabric trim varies with the line purchased, but the available cloth colors are Dark Slate Gray and Medium Slate Gray, and the available leather colors are Light Graystone or Medium Slate Gray, with the 300 Signature Series offering a 2-tone premium leather in Dark Slate Gray and Light Graystone. The seats aren't just great looking, but with a drivers seat that comes standard with eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support; and an optional six-way power passenger seat (standard on 300 Limited and 300C), when coupled with Dual-zone automatic climate control with infrared sensors and heated seats, the 300 ensures that both driver and passengers are kept comfortable for those long rides. The 300 offers memory-controlled items like power adjustable pedals, driver's seating position, power-adjustable tilt/telescoping steering column, radio presets, and exterior mirrors, all of which are standard on the 300C. Chrysler's new Electronic Vehicle Information System, or EVIC, features driver display options that include up to 120 different screen displays to aide the driver during the driving experience. The often leather-clad interior has an impressive 105.8 cubic feet of passenger room. The rear 60/40 split seat allows for over-sized cargo, and still has room for rear passengers with over 40 inches of leg room. If you do not want to fold the back seat down, the large trunk still allows for 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space, leaving you room for 5 adult passengers. The luster of the 300's interior is not only something you can see, but something you can hear and feel thanks in part to the AM/FM stereo with touch-screen controlled integral six-disc CD/MP3 player, which works in cooperation with the available GPS navigation system. In the 300C the added allure of a Boston Acoustics digitally amplified 368 watt surround system equipped with a subwoofer, is optional for those true audio aficionados. For those who love radio's variety, but hate commercials, the 300, like many of its DCX siblings, offers SIRIUS satellite radio, with 120 digital channels of music, news, sports, and weather, 65 of which are completely commercial free. Also, for today's multitasking driver, the stereo system also incorporates the UCONNECT hands-free telephone system, which works with any Bluetooth brand cellular phone, simply by the sound of the drivers voice, with the radio automatically muting when placing or receiving a call.
Exterior
The 300 series, even with the amazing power and performance numbers is a luxury car, any passersby will not forget that with the huge chrome grill which smoothes into the chrome strips that outlines the most of the car, and the chrome laden headlights that straddle the gorgeous grill inlay. The 2005 300 is offered in eight dazzling colors, including: Satin Jade, Magnesium, Bright Silver, Cool Vanilla, Midnight Blue, Linen Gold, Brilliant Black, and Deep Lava Red. All of the models, regardless of the color or trim line are available with 17-inch steel wheels with bolt on covers (standard on the 300 base model), 17-inch painted silver aluminum wheels (standard on the 300 Touring), 17-inch chromed aluminum wheels (standard on the 300 Limited), 18 inch chromed aluminum wheels (standard on the 300C), and 18 inch high gloss polished aluminum wheels (comes standard on all AWD models). While the areas under the hood, and inside the car may feature new technology, the exterior is no different, offering Rain-Sensing Wipers, and Chrysler's ParkSense. The inside of the windshield tucks away a small infrared sensor that is connected to the Rain-Sensing Wipers, which when windshield moisture is sensed, activates the wipers, stopping when the glass is cleared of moisture. The ParkSense feature detects stationary objects up to 71 inches away, including objects very low to the ground, providing the driver with both visual and audio warning signs when in the act of backing up.
Safety
The Chrysler 300 received the highest governmental crash test rating of 5 stars thanks to the safety cage architecture, which directs the energy of the impact in the case of an accident; the steering wheel and column are designed to absorb the force of a front end impact; the spare tire is angled and mounted in a way to move the spare away from the fuel tank when hit from behind; and multistage front airbags, deploy according to the driver and passengers weight; and front and rear side curtain airbags to protect everyone in the 300 in the event of a side impact. But the 300 is not just safe in an accident, but in the small hassles that can come about in every day, and every night driving. Self sealing tires, which will seal a puncture of up to 2 tenths of an inch prevent getting stranded on the roadside in the event of running over road debris, and auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors dim themselves to improve night driving with other vehicles behind the 300. To further enhance the night driving experience, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, equipped with Xenon bulbs which last longer and use less power, add up to 70% more light than a standard headlight, and to keep those HID headlights shining through the elements, the 300C offers a high pressure headlight washer system.
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Performance Numbers:
ACCELERATION in Seconds
Zero to :
30 mph, 2.0
40 mph: 2.8
50 mph: 4.1
60 mph: 5.3
70 mph: 6.8
80 mph: 8.8
90 mph: 11.0
100 mph: 13.4
110 mph: 16.1
120 mph: 20.1
5 to 60 mph: 5.6
Top-gear acceleration, 30-50 mph: 2.8
50-70 mph: 3.4
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec @ 102 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph
BRAKING
70-0 mph @ impending lockup: 184 ft
HANDLING
300-ft-diamater skidpad: 0.77 g
Understeer: minimal
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA city driving: 17 mpg
EPA highway driving: 25 mpg
INTERIOR SOUND LEVEL
Idle: 45 dBA
Full-throttle acceleration: 77 dBA
70-mph cruising: 70 dBA
STEERING
Type: rack-and-pinion with hydraulic power assist
Steering ratio: 16.1:1
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Turning circle curb-to-curb: 38.9 ft
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 120.0 in
Track, front/rear :63.0/63.1 in
Length/width/height: 196.8/74.1/58.4 in
Ground clearance: 5.6 in
Drag area, Cd (0.35) x frontal area (25.4 sq ft): 8.89 sq ft
Curb weight: 4140 lb
Weight distribution, F/R: 54.1/45.9%
Curb weight per horsepower: 12.2 lb
Fuel capacity: 19.0 gal
CHASSIS/BODY
Type: unit construction with 1 rubber-isolated subframe
Body material: welded steel and aluminum stampings
BRAKES
Type: hydraulic with vacuum power assist, anti-lock control, brake assist, and stability control
Front: 13.6 x 1.1-in vented disc
Rear: 12.6 x 0.9-in vented disc
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