Review: Chrysler LX.I 300C (2005-08)

Overview

Released in November 2005, the Chrysler LX Series I (LX.I) 300C was initially available as a large sedan, with the 300C Touring (wagon) following in 2006. Manufactured in Graz, Austria, the rear-wheel drive 300C was initially available with 3.5-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines. In April 2006, the range was expanded with the introduction of SRT-8 variants, powered by a 6.1-litre V8 petrol engines and, in June 2006, with 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engines.

Engines: 3.5L V6, 3.0L CRD, Hemi V8 and SRT-8

Of the engines,

The 3.5L V6 petrol engine had a cast aluminium alloy block with cast iron liners, a cast aluminium cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. The EGG engine also featured an active three-plenum intake manifold with electronically-controlled manifold tuning valve and short runner valves;
The 3.0-litre Mercedes-Benz OM642 turbo-diesel V6 engine had an aluminium block and cylinder heads, common rail injection, double overhead camshafts, a counter-rotating balance shaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 18.0:1;
The 5.7L HEMI EZB V8 engine had a cast iron block, two valves per cylinder actuated by pushrods, hydraulic lifters with roller followers and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. The engine also featured a Multi-Displacement System (MDS) which could shut down half the cylinders when cruising or under light throttle inputs; and,
The 6.1L HEMI ESF V8 engine was based on the 5.7-litre unit, but had a forged crankshaft, lighter pistons, strengthened connecting rods and a compression ratio of 10.3:1. Furthermore, the 6.1-litre V8 engine did not have MDS.

All engines were mated to five-speed W5A580 automatic transmissions.

Platform and suspension

The Chrysler 300C was underpinned by Chrysler’s LX platform which shared its rear suspension design, front seat frames, wiring harnesses and five-speed automatic transmission with the Mercedes-Benz W211 E-Class . Furthermore, the 300C had double wishbone front suspension – derived from the W220 S-Class – and five-link rear suspension.

Dimensions

Compared to the W211 E-Class sedan, the 300C sedan was 181 mm longer (at 4999 mm), 59 mm wider (1881 mm), 31 mm taller (1483 mm) and had a 196 mm longer wheelbase (3050 mm). Relative to its sedan counterpart, the 300C Touring was 16 mm longer (at 5015 mm) and had a 52 mm higher roofline (1535 mm).

Chrysler LX.I 300C specifications
Variant	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
3.5L V6	2005-08	3.5-litre EGG petrol V6	5sp auto	183 kW at 6400 rpm	340 Nm at 3800 rpm
3.0L CRD	2006-08	3.0-litre OM642 turbo-diesel V6	5sp auto	160 kW at 3800 rpm	510 Nm at 1600-2800 rpm
5.7L HEMI V8	2005-08	5.7-litre EZB petrol V8	5sp auto	250 kW at 5000 rpm	525 Nm at 4000 rpm
SRT-8	2006-08	6.1-litre ESF petrol V8	5sp auto	317 kW at 6000 rpm	569 Nm at 4600 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Chrysler 300C included dual two-stage front airbags, full-length side/curtain airbags (moulded under the headliner and deploying downward), ABS, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.

In U.S. NHTSA crash testing, the 300Creceived a five star rating for driver and front passenger protection in a frontal crash. The NHTSA methodology, however, differs from that of Euro NCAP and ANCAP.

Features

Standard features for the 300C 3.5L V6 and 3.0L CRD included 18-inch alloy wheels, a Boston Acoustics 276 watt, six speaker sound system with CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, eight-way power adjustable front seats, heated front seats, cruise control, xenon headlights with washers, front and rear fog lights, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, automatically dipping mirrors on reverse, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, cargo net, a trip computer, motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser. Inside, the 3.5L V6 and 3.0L CRD featured tortoise shell interior accents.

Beyond this, the 5.7L HEMI V8 added a Boston Acoustics seven speaker sound system with 368 watt amplifier, subwoofer and six-disc CD player; inside, the HEMI V8 featured California walnut wood accents.

The high performance 300C SRT-8 was distinguished by its 20-inch forged alloy wheels with Goodyear F1 tyres (245/45 front and 255/45 rear), 13 speaker Kicker sound system with 322 watt amplifier and 100 watt subwoofer; inside, the SRT8 had a light graystone/dark slate colour scheme. The SRT-8 was also fitted with SRT-tuned dampers and 360 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs and 350 mm by 28 mm vented rear discs; both front and rear discs were fitted with four-piston Brembo brake callipers.

2007 300C Signature Series

In 2007, a limited-run ‘Signature Series’ edition of the 3.5L V6 variants were released; these models were distinguished by their U-Connect Bluetooth connectivity and rear-seat DVD entertainment systems.

Review: Chrysler LX.II 300C (2008-11)