Chrysler Unveils Production 300C/Magnum

[Wahhaj]

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/tmb/7370_image.JPGhttp://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/tmb/7371_image.JPG

The production versions of the Chrysler 300C sedan and Dodge Magnum sports tourer concepts were quietly introduced in New York October 7, with marketing execs proclaiming this the most significant model rollout for Chrysler since the LH platform buried the K-car in 1992.

Very little has changed since the concepts were introduced. The 300C was shod with 18-inch tires, as opposed to the 20-inchers sported by the concept, and both cars wore a little less chrome trim.

Both cars will hit dealer showrooms next spring and are based on the new LX rear-wheel drive platform. Engines will range from a 200-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 through a refined version of the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that produces 340 hp at 5200 rpm and 365 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, which should provide zero-to-sixty times of 6.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150 mph.

The transmission is a five-speed electronic AutoStick with a gated shifter, and ABS, all-speed traction control, and DC's Electronic Stability Program will be standard. A full-time AWD system will be an option on the Magnum.

Interiors of both cars feature watch-face instrumentation, adjustable pedals, four-spoke tilt-and-telescoping steering wheels, and, in the case of the 300C, elegant faux-tortoiseshell trim on the steering wheel, shift knob, and door pull handles.

In addition, approximately 20 percent of the LX platform shares componentry with Mercedes, particularly in drivetrain hardware, suspension modules, electrical systems, and seat modules.

Packaging and pricing details still need to be worked out with the dealer network, execs said, although they expect the 300C to compete at the low end with Toyota's Avalon, up through the Acura model line. -Paul W. Cockerham



Source: The Car Connection

[Deadpool]

If priced from 30 to 40K, this could do some good things for chrysler.

[Deadpool]

http://a137.g.akamai.net/n/137/3538/20031007143342/www.cars.com/news/images/1007magnumgt310.jpg

http://a137.g.akamai.net/n/137/3538/20031006190940/www.cars.com/news/images/100603magnumcargo400.jpg

http://www.cars.com/news/images/100603magnumengine400.jpg

http://www.cars.com/news/images/100603magnumsteering400.jpg

http://www.cars.com/news/images/100603300c400.jpg

http://a137.g.akamai.net/n/137/3538/20031006185010/www.cars.com/news/images/100603300cwheel400.jpg

http://www.cars.com/news/images/100603300cmirror350.jpg

http://a137.g.akamai.net/n/137/3538/20031006190454/www.cars.com/news/images/100603300csteering400.jpg

[M_TYPE_X]

More tacky crap out of Detroit... why don't they just bring back the K-car? Who's gonna spend the big bucks on these? Do I wanna know? Probably not. Anyway we'll soon see if there is a market for 5.7L V8 RWD large sedans and wagons.

Chrysler has been pretty quiet about their new products. Zetsche was on CNBC today, but I wasn't able to catch him. He probably said something about the new product; the teaser before I turned off the TV mentioned the product blitz coming from Chrysler.

So much talk about "5.7L Hemi" ... and it's only a V8.
Such brouhaha. But it's equivalent of Nissan's VQ ... a flagship engine.

Speaking of flagships, it appears that not only the 300C takes over from the 300M, but the Magnum is Dodge's new flagship car (not truck or van). No word on the Concorde (lower-end LH) replacement (LX-based Nassau)?

[Ahhsk]

im loving the 300C reminds me of the chronos concept from a few years back. love it.
http://www.maximum-cars.com/Cars/Chrysler/1998-chronos-concept.jpg

[delerium75]

Wow. The 300C makes about any Cadillac or Lincoln look like a bad value in comparison...looks as nicely detailed or better. I bet they'll sell barring any high profile recalls or something.

[G35cFan]

I like it. It has a very unique styling and the interior looks pretty nice too.

[Irie_eyes]

Yea, those are pretty bad a$$.
That'll be the new "Escalade".
I'm sure the tuners will have a ball with the Hemi and AWD.

[joeB]

I dont like them, they do look odd. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Deadpool]

Magnum wagon reminds me of a Q45 from the front.

[Slack00]

I didn't like the 300C concepts, but I think the production version its very...solid looking. Very nice.

[M_TYPE_X]

Comparo time! 300C vs M45

[Wahhaj]

Id take a m45 over the 300c.. my brother owns a 300m, I personally dislike chrysler now, we have had to rebuild the transmission 2x already (75k miles). To me it comes down to the dependibility/value factor, japanese all the way!!!

[G35RIDER]

What ever happen to this 300C, this was a nice one.
300C Hemi concept (http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2000_chrysler_300_hemi-3.jpg)

[M_TYPE_X]

What ever happen to this 300C, this was a nice one.
300C Hemi concept (http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2000_chrysler_300_hemi-3.jpg)



Old-school 300C was a convertible... this photochop is nothing more than a 300M convertible with the "300C" name.

[MOMO831]

I know that it’s been discussed before, but I do like this 300c. Its looks very classy like someone with money or of importance should be riding in one. As for as looks go IMO it ranks very high on my list, problem is we just can’t go on looks alone. It’s still a CHRYSLER. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Nismo]

That'll be the new "Escalade".


That's just what I was thinking.
With it's massive engine, oversized wheels, and gun ports for windows, it's sure to be a hit with the cash-only crowd.

[Wahhaj]

That'll be the new "Escalade".


That's just what I was thinking.
With it's massive engine, oversized wheels, and gun ports for windows, it's sure to be a hit with the cash-only crowd.



I can already forsee the Bling Bling!! version.

[Zed]

Something about them looks cheap. All of that chrome looks 'plasitcky'. And those steering wheels, ugh, brings back the bad old days of Chrysler in the 80's. Maybe in person they look less ungainly. Chrysler needs to re-hire the designers they had in the 90's post-PTcruiser era.

[M_TYPE_X]

Chrysler needs to re-hire the designers they had in the 90's post-PTcruiser era.



As far as I know, those people left and they have no intention of eva going back. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[SukairainKupe]

Both cars will hit dealer showrooms next spring and are based on the new LX rear-wheel drive platform. Engines will range from a 200-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 through a refined version of the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that produces 340 hp at 5200 rpm and 365 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, which should provide zero-to-sixty times of 6.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150 mph.




Hey, what the hell happened here? I thought the Magnum was supposed to have much more power than that? More advertisement BS...... http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

Hemi is just talk and marketing smoke & mirrors. Most Magnum models you will see will be decontented V6s. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif

Dodge is silly to discontinue the Intrepid and bringing in the Magnum way ahead of the Charger. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Nismo]

Hemi is just talk and marketing smoke & mirrors.


Even the name "Hemi" which stands for "hemispherical combustion chamber" is a bit of a misnomer. Dodge says the new Hemi V8's combustion chambers are not hemispherical, but have been modified for emissions reason. I guess they figured the nostalgia of the name was too good to pass up.

[M_TYPE_X]

I guess they figured the nostalgia of the name was too good to pass up.



Captain Obvious drives an Integra too? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Chrysler will be bringing back more and more "heritage names" ... without much of the heritage of course. But if they are like the new Pontiac GTO, then it doesn't really matter to me - heritage is overrated anyway.

[Nismo]

Captain Obvious drives an Integra too? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/wink.gif


O’ objector of obvious observation, was not this an objective objection to an obvious obfuscation? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/ooo.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/ooo.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/frown.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/grin.gif