You’d be hard pressed to spot the facelifted Chrysler 300C’s styling changes, but inside it’s a different story.
Dark slate premium leather upholstery is now standard, along with minor upgrades including LED lighting in the front cup holders and front and rear-door map pockets, plus soft-touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels. The instrument panel and centre-console has been redesigned, and is now highlighted with satin silver bezels.
New entertainment and communications options on the Chrysler 300C sedan and Touring wagon include a Boston Acoustics eight-speaker 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system and MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System.
An iPod® interface is also added to the UConnect® Hands-free Communication System module for seamless connection and playback of MP3 files.
The 300C continues to offer four power options, but with some minor changes. The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine has improved performance and economy, 183kW at 6500rpm and 340Nm of torque at 3800rpm.
The 5.7-litre V8 Hemi now has a ‘Fuel Saver Mode’ display, included as part of the Electronic Vehicle Information Centre (EVIC), that tells drivers when they are in four-cylinder mode. This allows them to modify their driving habits for improved fuel efficiency, important in these days of fluctuating fuel prices.
Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring are the only vehicles in their segment to offer a Multi-Displacement System (MDS) as standard on a V8 engine.
Chrysler’s MDS seamlessly turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-litre Hemi engine when V8 power is not needed.
This improves fuel economy by up to 11 per cent, depending on driving style and vehicle usage. The 3.0-litre V6 CRD diesel engine is unchanged.
From a safety viewpoint, all models offer electronic stability programme, featuring ABS anti-lock brakes and traction control, along with six airbags.
Pricing for the 300C starts at $60,990.
