{"id":35902,"date":"2011-02-02T04:56:29","date_gmt":"2011-02-02T09:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=35902"},"modified":"2011-02-02T16:46:04","modified_gmt":"2011-02-02T21:46:04","slug":"first-drive-2011-chrysler-300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2011\/02\/first-drive-2011-chrysler-300\/","title":{"rendered":"First Drive: 2011 Chrysler 300"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The look of the new Chrysler 300 is more refined, if a little less in-your-face.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sure, safety sells, and fuel economy has certainly become a critical consideration for many American buyers.\u00a0 Performance matters, and there are plenty of folks influenced by the latest high-tech gadgets.\u00a0 But few things draw your attention as effectively as a good design.<\/p>\n

And few cars in recent memory have been more effective at turning heads than the Chrysler 300, which made its show-stopping debut at the 2003 New York Auto Show \u2013 reaching production barely a year later.\u00a0 Starting from the bold, upright grille, the big sedan had an almost comic book presence that underscored Chrysler\u2019s history of rolling out in-your-face designs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
News You Can Use...Subscribe Now!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even today, the Chrysler 300 catches your eye.\u00a0 The exterior design, anyway.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the interior never matched that bold vision, with its jumble of cheap plastic bits and pieces.\u00a0 The 300 delivered an acceptable, if uninspiring, drive, and quality was a distinct problem, according to the likes of J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports.<\/p>\n

So, imagine the challenges faced by the Chrysler product development team assigned the task of redesigning this icon.\u00a0 They not only had to maintain its benchmark bravado but match that inside and out.\u00a0 They had to enhance the 300\u2019s driving dynamics, improve fuel economy, enhance performance, fix endemic quality problems \u2013 and, oh, did we mention they had to do it all while Chrysler was in the midst of a financial collapse?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Chrysler Brand CEO Oliver Francois introduces the new 300 at the Detroit Auto Show.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Considering everything on their plate, it might have been surprising enough to see a new version of the Chrysler 300 reach market at all.\u00a0 Indeed, for a while that seemed highly suspect.\u00a0 But somehow, the team pulled it off, and an all-new version of the big sedan will soon be reaching Chrysler showrooms around the country.\u00a0 But luckily, we didn\u2019t have to wait.<\/p>\n

A long day\u2019s drive around San Diego, through the city, down along the coast and up into desert hill country, gave us a good sense of what the maker \u2013 and its new Italian partner, Fiat \u2013 has come up with.\u00a0 While the 2011 Chrysler 300 isn\u2019t quite the show-stopper of the original, it\u2019s still a stunning bit of styling, and this time, that applies both inside and out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Kudos for the big sunroof, though the seats need serious improvement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sure, we have a few quibbles, and while we\u2019ll have to wait to see if those quality issues have been resolved, we\u2019re confident that Chrysler has come up with a solid hit that should get folks talking about a comeback for the smallest of the American automakers.<\/p>\n

The updated design will be familiar to anyone who recognized the first-generation Chrysler 300, though it\u2019s not quite as distinctive, especially from a direct side view.\u00a0 The crisp angles have been softened a bit.\u00a0 There\u2019s a slight curve to the original, truck-like grille, and a steeper rake to the windshield.\u00a0 There\u2019s a sweeping character line running almost nose-to-tail, and distinctively flared wheel arches.\u00a0 The overall look is decidedly more luxurious, a perception enhanced by the Audi-look LED running lamps that accent the headlights.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Other than the seats - which are comfortable but not supportive - the new Chrysler 300 interior is a major improvement over the old car.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where Chrysler has really moved upscale is the interior, always the weak link in the 300\u2019s chain.\u00a0 Gone is what designer Klaus Busse derisively refers to as the \u201cbattleship gray plastic\u201d of the old car.\u00a0 In its place, the maker has adopted a delicious blend of sumptuously upscale materials all knitted together seamlessly and accented by brushed chrome.<\/p>\n

The one-piece instrument panel is anchored by an 8-inch touchscreen display at the top of the center stack.\u00a0 The driver peers through the tastefully-appointed wheel at twin gauges illuminated in soft blue \u2013 a high-definition digital display between them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Garmin provided the new navigation system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The optional Garmin-designed navigation system, by the way, is extremely easy to use and even zooms in as you near a turn point to ensure you stay on your route.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not all perfect.\u00a0 There are still a few too many pieces of flat black plastic that could\u2019ve been better grained.<\/p>\n

But our only serious complaint is with the new Chrysler 300\u2019s seating.\u00a0 That\u2019s because odd the seats are the pride and joy of Marketing Manager Bruce Velisek, something he insists the maker achieved only after benchmarking the absolute best-in-class \u2013 a class above, he adds, referring to Audi and Lexus models his team studied.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we \u2013 and a number of colleagues we polled \u2013 found the seats strangely uncomfortable, especially if you drive the 300 even the slightest bit aggressively.\u00a0 You feel like you\u2019re sitting atop, rather than sinking into, the cushions.\u00a0 And in a hard turn there\u2019s simply nowhere enough bolstering to keep you in place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The new LED running lights give the Chrysler 300 nose an Audi-like appearance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That said, the new Chrysler 300 can handle corners in a manner you wouldn\u2019t have dreamed of with the old car.\u00a0 That\u2019s impressive when you realize the new sedan started out with the same basic suspension, but it underscores what a competent engineer can accomplish by tweaking bushings, adjusting alignment and modifying spring and damper rates.<\/p>\n

Our preference was the new Touring package, which is standard with the Hemi All-wheel-drive model.\u00a0 But even the base suspension was a notable improvement and let us charge around the mountainous switchbacks down near the Mexican badlands east of San Diego without a worry.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Chrysler will add a sportier 300S model - but it hasn't decided whether to offer this matte paint option, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And despite its heft \u2013 which weighs in at anywhere from 4,000 to 4,500 pounds, depending on configuration \u2013 the electro-hydraulic steering delivered a precise sense of road feel with just enough boost.<\/p>\n

According to Velisek, a key goal for the 2011 Chrysler 300 was to minimize noise, vibration and harshness, and here the new sedan comes surprisingly close to Lexus and Buick territory without numbing the car into unconsciousness.\u00a0 If anything, we\u2019d have loved to hear a wee bit more of that luxurious resonance when we stomped on the throttle and kicked the Hemi into action.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With the Hemi V8, the 300C will hit 60 in under 6 seconds and top out around 120.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But it doesn\u2019t take the big V8 to put the 2011 Chrysler 300 into motion.<\/p>\n

Gone are the old base car\u2019s anemic 2.7-liter V6 and the mid-range 3.5-liter 6-banger.\u00a0 In their place is a new 3.6-liter 24-valve Pentastar six.\u00a0 Rated against the smaller of the old engines it\u2019s turning out an eye-popping 64% more power.\u00a0 To be fair, comparing it to the 3.5 uncovers an extra 42 ponies, at 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.\u00a0 The engine is surprisingly quick and confident, turning 0 to 60 times in the mid-7-second range, impressive for a V6-powered full-size sedan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A strong character line runs nose-to-tail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s not often you\u2019ll hear an autowriter say you\u2019d be well off with a V6 when an 8 is available, but considering its performance and fuel economy, 18 City and 27 Highway, it\u2019s hard to recommend the upgrade unless you really crave the extra power \u2013 or all-wheel-drive.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, you\u2019ll have to go for the 5.7-liter Hemi to get AWD \u2013 though Chrysler brand boss Olivier Francois hints that may change at a later date.\u00a0 The V8 delivers a seriously solid 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, and dropping 0 to 60 times below 6 seconds.\u00a0 As for top speed, we\u2019re still waiting for the official answer, but our own experience showed the computer cutting fuel off as we nudged 120 mph.\u00a0 Mileage is 16\/25 in rear-drive, 15\/23 with AWD.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The "base" 300 is offered with the new Pentastar V6.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Both engines, incidentally, are currently being paired with an old 5-speed automatic.\u00a0 It\u2019s acceptable, if dated, but for state-of-the-art you\u2019ll have to wait until Chrysler comes through with an all-new ZF-supplied 8-speed gearbox that is expected to punch the Highway mileage of the V6 up and over the 30 mpg mark.\u00a0 It should also shift transparently.<\/p>\n

There is still more to come for the Chrysler 300 line.\u00a0 We\u2019re anticipating big news for the next-generation SRT-8, though no one is talking about it yet, preferring to focus on the base models.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Chrysler's revamped 300 leads a resurgent lineup that includes the smaller 200, revised minivans and more to come.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019re also waiting to get a chance to drive the all-new Chrysler 300S.\u00a0 That all-new designation refers to a sportier model that will expand the reach of the 300 line.\u00a0 It\u2019s unclear whether performance will be tweaked but there\u2019ll be a more European-style interior, including the more supportive seats we would like.\u00a0 At the San Diego preview, Chrysler even rolled out a 300S with a matte finish, though Velisek admits no decision has been made on whether to put it into production.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The original 300 remains one of the most distinctive sedans on the market.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As with the rest of its line-up, Chrysler is trying to reposition the brand by offering an array of standard features normally not found on its models, especially base offerings.\u00a0 Yet at a starting price of $27,995 \u2013 slightly below last year\u2019s base — you\u2019ll get the uConnect hands-free system, a 15-way power driver\u2019s seat, Sirius satellite radio, keyless entry and ignition and dual-zone automatic climate control.\u00a0 The Hemi-powered 300C will bump you up $7,000, but that includes the upgraded Touring suspension, Napa leather, heated front and rear seats, even heated and cooled cupholders.\u00a0 The top-of-the-line 300C AWD starts at $41,145.<\/p>\n

Yes, you\u2019re pushing into European luxury territory \u2013 but that means a compact with a small V6 and maybe, if you\u2019re lucky, seat heaters.<\/p>\n

The new 2011 Chrysler 300 line may not be the jaw-dropping design statement of the original, but it is much more the compleat automobile, top-to-bottom, inside-and-out.\u00a0 If this is what the \u201cnew\u201d Chrysler has in store, it will definitely be worth putting the new sedan on your shopping list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine the challenges faced by the Chrysler product development team assigned the task of redesigning the iconic Chrysler 300. They not only had to maintain its benchmark bravado but match that inside and out. They had to enhance the 300\u2019s driving dynamics, improve fuel economy, enhance performance, fix endemic quality problems \u2013 and, oh, did we mention they had to do it all while Chrysler was in the midst of a financial collapse?
\nDid they succeed? Here’s TheDetroitBureau.com’s review.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35910,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"make":[],"post-state":[],"category_old":[151],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35902"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35902"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=35902"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=35902"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=35902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}