2012 Chrysler 300C official images and details | Car Advice

Car Advice

2012 Chrysler 300C official images and details

By Tim Beissmann |

Chrysler has fully unveiled the exterior design of the 2011 Chrysler 300 (300C in Australia), exactly two weeks after it teased the first official images of the completely redesigned luxury sedan.

There are few surprises in the styling, with the new 300 an evolution of the old gangsta model rather than a total philosophical overhaul.

Up front it is very Audi-esque, with a large ‘koala-nose’ grille, and LED daytime running lights incorporated into the curved headlamps.

The 20in alloy wheels dominate the vehicle’s profile, which sports the characteristic pumped wheels arches and a high sill line.

The rear lights are similar to outgoing model, but feature a chrome border that extends along the bottom of the boot line.

The 300’s interior is still to be revealed, although images of the instrument panel and front seats were teased late last month.

An analogue clock and wood highlights will feature in the redesigned cabin, which Chrysler guarantees will be quieter and more comfortable due to suspension tweaks and better insulation.

Two different engines will power the US version of the 300. The first is the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, which packs 218kW of power and 352Nm of torque. The other is the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 268kW and 528Nm.

Chrysler Australia’s Dean Bonthorne recently told CarAdvice the Chrysler 300C will arrive in Australia in 2012, when the first right-hand drive variants become available.


 
  • sammy

    Not as nice as the previous model…

  • Kim.

    Agreed, in some ways not as nice as the outgoing model but in others, its a nice evolution.

    Still retains some of that ‘gansta’ vibe but maybe a classier ganster vibe now. Not a huge fan of the rear lights, doesn’t seem to flow with the new design but time will tell…

    • Damian

      The rear lights don’t flow with the rest of the design because there’s too much chintzy chrome. It really ruins the rear-end.

      • Shak

        Double agreed. They either should have stuck with the taillight inserts, OR the boot lid strip.

  • Dan

    Wheels are some what similar to the rims found on the G6E Turbo…

  • Nick

    Looks very nice, but too soft for the 300C badge. It has lost the road presence of the outgoing model :(

    • DGS

      maybe 150F

      It looks only half as good as the current model. Destined to evolve into just another style starved offering from the US. Pity, it is the only Modern American car that in my eyes has any appeal, a resounding echo from the days that America made some of the coolest and most disirable cars that rummbled down the worlds roads (powered by V8′s of course)

  • JML

    This is what you get when Chrysler *doesn’t* copy Bentley. Bland and ugly.

  • http://Isuzu BarryHamburger

    By its own merit, the front is not bad, but in comparison it’s a step backwards in every way from the outside IMO. The front looks bland now like a beefed up Sebring. Also, way too many chrome accents. I don’t know what the American obsession with overdoing chrome is. It is tacky and does not in anyway add class to the car. The rear tail lights are the worst example with that chrome lining, coming off as a cheap Ebay mod. From the 2 pics ive seen so far, the interior does look to be improved, however.

  • http://www.caradvice.com.au Jim Goose senior

    Compared with the current model,its rather plain and subdued. I guess after five years they had to do something. Its still a handsome thing and I’d guess that if you liked the old one you’ll like the newey. Its still the best thing the pentastar has had since the CM…..

  • Chucky

    This definitely doesn’t look as good as the old model. At $40k driveaway for the V6 and $50k driveaway for the V8, the current model looks like a much better buy.

  • MahindraPikUp

    Way to make it boring… ill take one of the other predictable options in this segment..

    NOTE TO CHRYSLER: THIS CAR DIDNT SELL BECAUSE ITS A ‘LUXURY SEDAN’… IT SOLD BECAUSE IT WAS COOL… WAS.

  • jj

    No longer PIMP

    sorry… no longer for me.

  • Sam 300TD

    FAIL

  • Sean

    Looks like a ’74 HJ Statesman from the rear and a WK/L Statey from the front.

    What’s old is new again

  • Noely

    oh,is dat a KIA Sportage sedan or sth?

  • Some guy

    If you’re referring to the “in your face grille” it should be noted that it has design cues originally taken from the 1957 300C(yes that’s right 1957!), and the later 300F and so forth. The egg crate grille can even be seen in the 1952 Chrysler C200 concept.

    • Some guy

      Was meant to be a reply to JML’s comment in reference to copying Bentley.

  • autoboy

    Let’s assume that the current model never existed.

    Now if Chrysler offered the the new 300C in two shapes, one being that of the current model, and ther other being that of the new model, then all things being equal between then, I would choose the current model.

  • john no.2

    Might look better, but more then likely still handles like crap and uses too much fuel. At least the v6 version isnt underpowered.

  • Shak

    Well, it looks okay, but it doesn’t live up to the image and mantra created by the old 300C. there are just so many areas in which it has now become mainly a mainstream sedan, and no longer ‘da pimp mobile’. i guess even Chrysler need to try and turn a profit one day.