Item: 2012 Chrysler LX2 300
Rating: 4

Comfortable ride
Refined eight-speed automatic transmission improves fuel economy
Flexible V6 petrol engine
300 SRT-8 is an out-and-out muscle car
Accurate, well-weighted steering

Nose-heavy feel when cornering and tendency to understeer
Outdated five-speed automatic transmission (for CRDi and SRT-8) has clumsy downshifts
Dynamics fall short of the Holden VF Commodore and VF Calais
High fuel consumption for 300 SRT-8

Review: Chrysler LX2.I 300 (2012-14)

Overview

Released in July 2012, the Chrysler LX2 Series I (LX2.I) 300 was a large, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Brampton, Canada, the 300 was available with a choice of three engines: a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 (the ‘3.0 CRDi’ variant), a 3.6-litre petrol V6 (‘3.6L V6’) and a 6.4-litre petrol V8 (‘SRT8’). Beyond the engine-based variants, the 3.0 CRDi and 3.6L V6 variants were offered in Limited, C and Luxury editions.

Engines: CRDi, V6 and SRT-8

Of the engines,

the 3.0-litre VM Motori A630 diesel V6 engine had a graphite cast iron block with aluminium cylinder heads, a single Garrett VGT 2056 turbocharger, common-rail direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, an integrated diesel particular filter and a compression ratio of 16.5:1;
the 3.6L Pentastar V6 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and a compression ratio of 10.2:1; and,
the 6.4L HEMI ESG V8 petrol engine had a cast iron block, aluminium cylinder head, two valves per cylinder actuated by pushrods, variable valve timing, displacement on demand (which enabled the engine to shut down four-cylinders under light throttle inputs) and a compression ratio of 10.2:1.

Chrysler LX2.I 300 specifications
Variant	Editions	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
3.0 CRDi	Limited, C, C Luxury	3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6	5sp auto	176 kW at 4000 rpm	550 Nm at 1800-2000 rpm
3.6L V6	Limited, C, S, C Luxury	3.6-litre GCH petrol V6	8sp auto	210 kW at 6350 rpm	340 Nm at 4650 rpm
SRT8	N/A, Core	6.4-litre ESG petrol V8	5sp auto	347 kW at 6100 rpm	631 Nm at 4150 rpm

Dimensions and body

Compared to the Chrysler LX 300C , the LX2 300 was 67 mm longer (at 5066 mm) and 24 mm wider (1905 mm), though height (1483 mm) and wheelbase length (3050 mm) were unchanged. Furthermore, the LX2 300 had a stiffer body as 67 per cent of the lower structure and 53 per cent of the upper structure were made from high-strength steels.

The LX2 300 provided greater refinement due to its premium-composite underbody panels, dual-pane acoustic windshield, body-cavity silencing foam, under-flush rolled-framed doors with triple seals and acoustic wheel-well liners.

Steering and suspension

The LX2 300 introduced a new electric steering system, although the SRT8 had a conventional hydraulic system. Furthermore, the LX2 300 had double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Chrysler 300 included dual front airbags (dual-stage), a driver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side (thorax) airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The 300 SRT8 variant and Luxury editions were further equipped with adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning system and blind-spot monitoring.

Brakes

The 3.0 CRDi and 3.6L V6 variants were fitted with 345 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs with 42 mm dual sliding piston calipers and 320 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs with 42 mm single piston calipers.

The 300 SRT-8, however, had 360 mm by 32mm ventilated front brake discs with 44 mm four-piston sliding Brembo calipers and 350 mm by 28 mm ventilated rear discs with 32 mm four-piston sliding Brembo calipers. Furthermore, brake cooling and fade performance were enhanced an underbody pan with integrated brake ducting.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a Lancia Thema – as the Chrysler 300 was marketed in Europe – that was fitted with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine received a five star safety rating which inclued an 83 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 77 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, the driver’s head ‘bottomed out’ against the airbag and contacted the steering wheel rim; protection for the driver’s chest and head was assessed as adequate, though protection for the driver’s legs was marginal. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, though the pole test indicated marginal protection of the driver’s chest and adequate protection of the abdomen.

Features: Chrysler 300 Limited, C, S and Luxury

Standard features for the 300 Limited included 18-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a 276 watt amplifier, MP3-compatiblity, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth audio streaming and an 8.4-inch touch screen, power adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, daytime LED running lights, bi-xenon headlights, automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors, power folding mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser.

The 300 C was further equipped with 20-inch aluminium wheels, a nine speaker sound system with a subwoofer, 506 watt amplifier and CD/DVD player, a Garmin satellite navigation system, Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats (front and rear), rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, voice recognition, driver memory settings (seat and door mirrors positions), a powered rear blind and cup holders with heating and cooling functions.

Released in November 2013, the 300 S was similarly equipped to the 300 C but could be identified by its 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres (as per the SRT8), black chrome grille with platinum surround, black headlamp bezels, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, bootlip spoiler and black-accented ‘Chrysler’ badging. Furthermore, the 300 S interior had a Piano Black finish for the centre console, steering wheel and door panels; sports pedals, contoured sports seats and matte carbon hydrographic-finished accents; as a no-cost option, the seats were available in red leather trim with contrast white stitching and embroidered ‘S’ logos.

Compared to the C editions, the 300 Luxury added 20-inch polished-face aluminium wheels, an upgraded ten speaker sound system, eight-way power adjustable front seats and steering wheel gearshift paddles. Visually, the Luxury editions could be identified by their platinum chrome trim for the grille, door mirrors and door handles; inside, there were satin chrome highlights and mocha wood accents.

Features: Chrysler 300 SRT8

The 300 SRT8 featured 20-inch forged-alloy wheels with 245/45 tyres, a 900 watt Harman Kardon sound system with 18 speakers and a ten-inch subwoofer, contoured sports seats with leather and suede trim, a heated steering wheel and carbon-fibre interior trim. Visually, the SRT8 could be identified by its unique mesh grille and bumper, side skirts and rear spoiler.

The SRT8 was also fitted with an Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS) system that adjusted suspension damping according to vehicle speed, steering angle, steering inputs, brake torque, throttle position and lateral and vertical acceleration inputs; drivers were also able to select from ‘Auto’ and ‘Sport’ settings.

Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core

Released in April 2013, the SRT8 Core had the same drivetrain as the SRT8 but omitted:

Adaptive cruise control, the forward collision warning system and blind-spot monitoring;
20-inch forged alloy wheels (instead fitted with cast alloy wheels);
Adaptive Damping Suspension (instead fitted with conventional dampers and self-leveling rear suspension);
The Harman Kardon sound system (instead fitted with the standard six speaker sound system);
The satellite navigation system and reversing camera;
Leather seats (instead fitted with ‘Ballistic’ cloth seats), front seat heating and ventilation, and heated rear seats;
Fog lights;
Heated and cooled cup holders; and,
Carbon fibre accents (replaced with matte carbon).

2014 Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core Satin Vapour

Based on the SRT8 Core, the SRT8 Core Satin Vapour was produced in late 2014 and added a satellite navigation system, leather trim seats with perforated suede, a rear view camera and dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

Visually, the SRT8 Core Satin Vapour could be identified by its satin black aluminium wheels with red brake calipers, black chrome/gloss black grille, satin black mirror caps, gloss black window surrounds, body colour fascia with black/chrome accents, satin black roof wrap, satin black rear spoiler, SRT lower black stripe and ‘6.4L Hemi’ gloss black fender badge

Available in Billet Silver, Bright White or Granite Crystal paint finishes, Australian deliveries of the 300 SRT8 Core Satin Vapour were limited to 133 vehicles.

Review: Chrysler LX2.II 300 (2015-on)