2010 Chrysler 300C Montrose CO

January 21, 2010   By Brian Alexander, Road Test Editor
2009 Chrysler 300-Series

2009 Chrysler 300-Series
DriverSide Overview
To call the Chrysler 300C long in the tooth would be a perfectly accurate statement. It has been in production since 2005, but a look at its underpinnings reveals a lineage that dates all the way back to the DaimlerChrysler days, when not-so-profitable Chrysler was under the watchful ownership of Mercedes-Benz. As such, Chrysler vehicles had access to Mercedes-Benz’s wide array of chassis designs, and parts of the 300C’s suspension design, transmission design and steering – amongst other components – date all the way back to the W210 Mercedes-Benz E-Class that was first produced in 1995. So how can this car compete in 2009 given that it contains an aging design wrapped around a downright old platform? Well, it turns out a cosseting, once elegant German sedan is just the place to start if you want to build a cosseting American sedan (strange, we know), and long stints on the highway are where the 300C excels. But the SRT8 has another trick up its sleeve – a 6.1-liter, 425 horsepower Hemi V-8 that sees the boat-like sedan to 60 mph in under six seconds. That makes it a bit of a two-face, and while the massive engine does add a lot of appeal, parts of the 300C still find a difficult task in hiding its age.





What's to Like
Power and plush comfort are the 300Cs strong points, but this is no cut-rate super sedan, and it’s best not pushed in the corners. The engine has a very Detroit sound to it and, without a doubt, it’s a bruiser in a straight line, with old-school rear-drive dynamics and more torque than you’ll know what to do with. Revised suspension tuning and added standard equipment for 2009 are much appreciated additions.

What's Not to Like
While the 300C oozed style when it was released, it’s starting to show its age, though it is probably still the most hip car produced by Chrysler. Shorter drivers will have visibility issues due to the 300Cs high beltline. Pricing seems a bit steep, especially given the other options in the market. The gas guzzler tax doesn’t help, either.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
While it’s nowhere near the last word in lightweight design, the 300C remains an absolute brute in a straight line, and it feels good for every one of its claimed 425 horses. And you’ll mash it over and over again thanks to the Reconfigurable Display’s (RCD) performance data, which measures 0-60 times and quarter mile times, amongst other performance stats. The steering is a bit numb and doesn’t inspire too much confidence, but the brakes are simply phenomenal for a sedan of this size. Overall the ride is firm and controlled – some of which can be attributed to low-profile tires and massive 20-inch rims – but it’s rarely jarring or in...

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