Driven: Chrysler 300C

Chrysler 300C (Photo: Quickpic)There are two things which make a car imposing. Size and its colour. Provided it’s as big as an aircraft carrier and as black as Ozzie Osborn himself, you have the making of a car that’ll scare people into the slow lane quicker than you can say “Radovan Krejčíř”.

So when the new Chrysler 300C pulled up outside my office, I knew I was in for a week of fun, because there are few suburbs, let alone cars, out there bigger than the Chrysler 300C. And it came in requisite pitch-black.

On the outside

So we’ve determined that the 300C is mammothly huge. Add to equation some ‘blingy’ wheels, a chrome grille, dark windows and those squared off proportions and you’re left with South Africa’s most villainous ride. It has road presence that very few other vehicles can match; people see you coming and get out of the way, while people in the street will stop and stare from behind the nearest lamp post.

On the inside

Chrysler 300C (Photo: Quickpic)The lifestyle normally associated with such vehicles is a rather plush one, confirmed by reviewing the asset list of people like Lolly Jackson, most cabinet ministers and all of the country’s labour union management. So you’d imagine the 300C comes standard with champagne bar and furry leopard skin sofas for rear seats. But you’d be wrong.

It’s very ‘Chrysler’ inside the cabin. There are leather bits, fake wood, plastic chrome and not much in the way of fancy gadgetry other than the 8.4-inch touchscreen interface, which masterminds audio, climate, communications and car functions.

Not to say that it’s a rubbish place to sit; quite the contrary. It’s comfortable and the space is endless. It just doesn’t point to the high life as you’d imagine when peering through the windscreen as the occupants roll down the street.

Behind the wheel

The overall refinement and swish ride are the most impressive factors. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel is muted from inside the cabin while the 550 torques ensures it is brisk too. Only the five-speed auto struggles to be wholly smooth.

Chrysler kept the old 300C’s chassis layout here – which is based on a very old reincarnation of the Merc E Class. But they’ve refreshed it with all-new components. The double wishbone front and five-part multi-link rear set-up is very sophisticated, which translates into great road holding. New electric power steering feels positive too, but as always with electric assistance leaves the handling rather lifeless.

Verdict

This might be just the car for those to whom an Audi A6 or BMW 5 is too plain and dull. It’s big on ride comfort and refinement, has menacing style and a decent motor to boot – perhaps only let down by the relatively simple interior that lacks that finishing touch. For the money though, I think this is a worthy contender, especially if you’re looking to turn heads.

Price: R 669,990
Engine: 2987cc litre six cylinder turbo charged diesel
Power: 176 kW
Torque: 550 Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.8
Top speed (km/h): 232
Consumption (l/100km): 7.2 (claimed)
Service: 6yr/100 000km maintenance plan

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