The Drury Mirror

Issue date: 9/24/04 Section: Features

Media Credit: Drew Beaty

With the style and innovation that casts a shadow to the past Chrysler has reopened the cars of their history with a whole new twist on an old design, creating the new 300C.

The new 300C is bound to turn heads as it rolls down the neighborhood. Car critics got interested then when it was announced that the new Chrysler 300C would be Hemi powered. There has been a race, which is very apparent on most Chrysler car lots that are empty of the new 300C, to be the first to get a hold on this new "classic" car. The name Hemi has to do with the fact that the engine has free-breathing and efficient hemispherical combustion chambers creating a more fuel efficient and powerful motor.

The very first Chrysler 300 was introduced 50 years ago. This was the first time that the now legendary engine, known as the Hemi, was ever seen. This first 300, which was named because of its engine's horsepower output, began what Chrysler called their "letter car" series which ended in the 1960's. However, with the change in times the 300 was reintroduced to the public and Chrysler started the revolution of the "letter cars" all over again.

While the name of the engine has stayed the same, the output has changed. With the original motors pushing 300 horsepower, these new 5.7 liter 345 cubic inch V8 Hemi's have a whopping 340 horsepower giving the sports car fans something to enjoy about a sedan.

And while the 300C comes with 5-speed automatic as its standard transmission, there are plans of an RT/8. According to Carey Russ, an auto channel car reviewer, "The new RT/8 would come out with a 5-speed manual transmission and maybe a little more juiced power plant also."

The extra juice, however, should not make much of difference when the 300C is capable of going 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. And in a recent test drive, the dealers at Youngblood Motors were sure to tell me that if you really put your foot down on the pedal you could feel yourself getting pushed into the seat.

Don't let this fool you about the fuel economy because when tested the car shows 17 miles per gallon in the city and a solid 25 miles per gallon on the highway, this mileage knocks the socks off the old 300s that could barely hit double digits when it came to fuel economy.

The overall look of the car is very impressive. The hood has been reverted back in to the large masculine shape of the original 300s. The car is set on 18-inch rims that give an extra flair to the windows, which are shorter in size than most sedans giving the whole car a custom look.

"Looking at the front end has brought many people to compare the car to the lavish Bentley's," stated Rob Melton, Youngblood Motors Client Advisor. The interior is just as bold and powerful as the front with more options than most cars can think of listing.

What makes this so amazing is that the base price of this sporty sedan is only $32,370. A price like this is definitely not expected when seated inside a roomy luxurious car with heated seats and a stylish control panel and gauge cluster.

Overall, the new 300C is a powerful, sleek, and extremely well-priced car that can make people of all walks of life content with its features. Chrysler can give itself a giant pat on the back for the reconfiguration of their "letter cars."

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