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.