THE Chrysler 300C Luxury is not a car you would describe as your standard everyday road car. It’s different because it makes a statement. It’s the bling car. The pimp mobile. And any other analogy you can think of to describe it.
We drove the 2016 Chrysler 300C Luxury and we liked it. It looks good. It drives exceptionally well, and it’s packed with optional extras and improvements over previous models.
Minor changes to the styling from the previous year’s model shows a number of refinements, with new look 20-inch polished alloy wheels and all round better rubber (it sits on 245/45Z R20 BSW performance tyres) just the beginning of a host of tweaks and upgrades.
Powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 generating 201kW of power and 340Nm of torque, the 300C Luxury engine is coupled with an eight speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission with Rotary E-Shift (that’s dial up gear shifting – no gear lever for the uninitiated), sports mode, and die-cast steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
It’s a proper cruiser in look and feel, but when called upon it has the ability to give that sweet sound and deliver a bunch of power to get itself along the highway or up a hill climb quite well. When pushed it will drop a few cogs and while this change is noticeable, it does so without the clank of a conventional downward gear change.
It has reasonable fuel consumption for a car size and weight (averaging out at 9.7L/100km), and it’s packed with a bucket load of safety features with a list that includes adaptive cruise control (the Chrysler Plus package includes a full stop function and an adaptive lane departure warning system for improved overall safety), and a full speed forward collision warning system.
Add in blind spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection and you have a very safe motor vehicle in your hands. You’ll also find rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, automatic high-beam headlamp control, a power rear sunshade (still one of the coolest add ins in luxury cars), and ventilated front seats.
The Chrysler 300C Luxury won’t forget who you are either, with radio memory, mirror positioning memory and driver seat positioning memory all in place at the push of a button to ensure that the car feels the same every time you drive it.
The interior is refined, with deep quilted Nappa leather, comfortable seats and a great range of positioning for driver and passenger comfort, while the full electronic dash provides a host of choices, along with the traditional (but digitally displayed) tacho and speedo. Internal and external lighting has undergone an upgrade too, with the automatic sensors working a treat.
In fact we were very impressed by the dash itself and its display system, it’s well lit and easy to use, and offers a classy leather dash experience, something that is sorely lacking in a number of the mid-range luxury car options.
The 2016 Chrysler 300C Luxury also comes with an 8.4 inch touch screen infotainment system, known affectionately as UConnect. The system operates either by voice recognition, or by a series of large, easy-to-use icons that let you access a multi-function interface.
The user-friendly interface includes digital radio (DAB+), navigation and Bluetooth phone whilst managing dual-zone climate, available comfort systems including the heated and ventilated seats and personal audio (Bluetooth, USB, SD card, AUX) controls.
An excellent job has also been done with the steering wheel and its buttons, as it does not feel cluttered and there is a good view to the dashboard. Those who like a little luxury without compromise will enjoy the touring the 300C Luxury has to offer, and while it’s a little heavy around town, it holds its own for the country or beach side drive.
You can drive the sleek Chrysler 300C Luxury away for $66,065 (including the premium paint option). It comes in a whole host of colours including five clear coat colours: Bright White, Gloss Black, Billet Silver Metallic, Granite Crystal Metallic and Maximum Steel Metallic.
You’ll also find four pearl colours, including the triple coated Ivory, Jazz Blue, Velvet Red and Black Forest Green.
Our test vehicle was provided by Chrysler Australia. To find out more about the 2016 Chrysler 300C Luxury, contact your local Chrysler dealer.
