Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size car produced by Stellantis North America and its predecessor companies. It was offered as both a four-door sedan and a station wagon in its first generation (2005–2010) and continued as a sedan in subsequent generations (2011–2023). The model line shared components with vehicles from Daimler-Benz during its development.
| Chrysler 300 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler[a] |
| Also called | Lancia Thema (Europe; 2011–2014) |
| Production | February 1, 2004[1]– December 2023 |
| Model years | 2005–2023 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size car (E)[2] |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / all-wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | For Chrysler 300: Chrysler 300M Chrysler Concorde Chrysler Intrepid (Canada) For Lancia Thema: Lancia Thesis (Europe) |
First Generation (2005–2010)
change| First generation | |
|---|---|
 Chrysler 300C | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Chrysler 300C |
| Production | January 28, 2004–2010 |
| Model years | 2005–2010[3] |
| Assembly | Brampton, Ontario, Canada (Brampton Assembly)[4] Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr; 2005–2010) Beijing, China (Beijing Benz; 2006–2009)[5] |
| Designer | Ralph Gilles (2000) Freeman Thomas (2000) Tom Gale (2000) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door notchback sedan 5-door station wagon (not in North America) |
| Platform | Chrysler LX platform |
| Related | Dodge Charger Dodge Challenger Dodge Magnum Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.7 L EER V6 3.5 L EGG V6 5.7 L EZB Hemi V8 6.1 L ESF Hemi V8 3.0 L OM642 turbodiesel V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 42RLE automatic 5-speed W5A580 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.0 in (3,048 mm)[6] 126.0 in (3,200 mm) (Executive Series) |
| Length | 197.8 in (5,024 mm) |
| Width | 74.1 in (1,882 mm) |
| Height | 58.4 in (1,483 mm) SRT8: 57.9 in (1,471 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,721–4,046 lb (1,688–1,835 kg)[7][8] |
The first generation of the Chrysler 300 was introduced as a modern interpretation of the 1955 Chrysler C-300 and officially launched as the 2005 model. It was built on the Chrysler LX platform and had ties to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class for its structural elements and certain components. The 300 was initially available in different trims, including the base model, Touring, Limited, and the higher-performance 300C, which featured a 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine. The SRT-8 variant, introduced in 2005, was the high-performance model, equipped with a 6.1 L Hemi V8 that delivered 425 horsepower.
A station wagon version, known as the 300C Touring, was offered in markets outside North America, sharing its rear bodywork with the Dodge Magnum. Diesel engines were also available in some international markets, including Europe and Australia.
Second Generation (2011–2023)
change| Second generation (LD) | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Pre-facelift | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Lancia Thema (Europe; 2011–2014) Chrysler 300C |
| Production | December 2010[9]–December 9, 2023 |
| Model years | 2011–2023 |
| Assembly | Brampton, Canada (Brampton Assembly)[4] |
| Designer | Lou Gasevski |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door notchback sedan |
| Platform | Chrysler LD platform |
| Related | Dodge Charger Dodge Challenger Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0 L Pentastar V6 (China) 3.6 L Pentastar V6 5.7 L Hemi V8 6.4 L Hemi V8 3.0 L VM A630 turbodiesel V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic 8-speed 8HP45 automatic[10] 8-speed 8HP70 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.2 in (3,053 mm) |
| Length | 198.6 in (5,044 mm) |
| Width | 75.1 in (1,908 mm) |
| Height | 58.4 in (1,483 mm) |
The second generation of the Chrysler 300 debuted in 2011, maintaining the rear-wheel-drive layout and many foundational elements of the first generation. It featured a revised platform called the LD, an evolution of the LX. The engine lineup included the 3.6 L Pentastar V6 and the 5.7 L Hemi V8, while a 6.4 L Hemi V8 was available in the SRT model. The SRT-8, launched in 2011, could reach 0–60 mph in about 4 seconds and included performance features like Brembo brakes and sportier suspension tuning.
The second-generation 300 was offered with all-wheel drive in some models and was available with both standard and luxury trims, including the 300C, 300S, and Touring. A diesel option was available in Europe and Australia. The 300 was marketed in Europe as the Lancia Thema until 2014.[11]
Discontinuation
changeIn 2022, Stellantis confirmed that the Chrysler 300 sedan would be discontinued after the 2023 model year due to declining sales and the company’s strategy to prioritize electric vehicle development over fossil fuel-powered models. The 300 was set to be replaced by a Chrysler-badged all-electric vehicle, previewed by the Chrysler Airflow EV concept.[12]
Production officially ended on December 8, 2023, with the final unit being a Velvet Red 300C.
References
change- ↑ "Chrysler Group Begins Production of 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum". automotive-fleet.com. February 17, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ↑ De Guzman, Marcus (March 9, 2016). "Car Classes Simplified: The Euro-standard Car Segments – Feature Stories". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ↑ "Chrysler 300 Generations: All Model Years". CarBuzz. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fallah, Alborz (July 18, 2009). "Chrysler gets back into production". caradvice.com.au. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- ↑ "Chinese-Built Chrysler 300C at Beijing Auto Show". November 20, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
- ↑ Newberry, Stephan (2005). The Car design yearbook 3. Merrell. ISBN 9781858942421.
- ↑ "2003 Chrysler 300 specifications, information, data". Carfolio.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ↑ "First Test: 2005 Chrysler 300C". Motor Trend. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ↑ "How the Chrysler 300 was given New Life". forums.vwvortex.com. January 7, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ↑ "New Eight Speed Transmission Introduced by Chrysler". Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ↑ "New Lancia Thema: Chrysler 300's European Alter Ego Officially Revealed". Carscoop. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- ↑ Wayland, Michael (2022-09-13). "Chrysler to end production of 300 sedan after rolling out limited edition V-8 model". CNBC.
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