2011 Chrysler 300C

The Chrysler 300C launch is currently scheduled for early 2011. The preview is expected to take place in calendar-year 2010. CEO Sergio Marchionne reportedly sent designers back to the drawing board when he saw the 2011 300C, demanding a more distinctive look.

How close is the photo above? A source said, “The lines have been refined. They focused on the weaknesses. The grille was addressed. The interior is different from the spy shots now, the steering wheel is a little different, and the speedometer is more refined. The gauge cluster looks like a contemporary Swiss watch.”

Chrysler has had more latitude in building the second-generation LX than the first, which means:

• Far better interiors (journalists praised early drafts), matching the best sedans in the price range
• Lighter weights, but don’t bet on it
• Lower build costs
• Higher gas mileage; and rumors claim an eight-speed automatic is “possible” (as a late introduction. This would be a joint venture automatic shared with other automakers.)

New versions of the 2011 Chrysler 300 and 2011 Dodge Charger will be shown in calendar-year 2010, and will be made exclusively in Brampton, including models for sale in Europe. The revised Challenger may or may not lag the others. There has been no hint of a luxury version yet, but (speculation) it is possible that the 300 will be on a longer wheelbase than the Charger. (That would make room for the 200C).

Compared with the current LX series, the next generation — also termed LX (previously tagged LY) — will be:

• Aerodynamics. Less boxy. Not back to cab forward, but enough to improve noise, fuel economy, and make the cars more elegant. Charger will have more “retro cues” but will be recognizeably modern. 
• More fuel efficient.
  • Far better aerodynamics (Styling now reports to Engineering’s Frank Klegon)
  • Modified axle ratios
  • Pentastar V6 engine — the 3.6 liter provides 280 hp with better mileage than the current 250 hp 3.5 liter — more quietly than the Toyota V6. The 300 might have higher horsepower than the Grand Cherokee.
  • More gears in the transmission (an eight-speed was being studied but is unlikely). A six-speed automatic might be used — or all models might use the Mercedes-designed WA580 until the supply contract expires. (See below for a later rumor.)
• Better interiors. The next generation of full-sizers will set the standard for the rest of the brands in the divisions.
• Comfort features. New entertainment systems and driver comfort options.
• Improve on all-around performance.

General rumors

• SRT-8s will eventually use a production version of the 392 (6.4) Hemi with about 450 hp and MDS for better gas mileage. This might be used at launch.
• The 300C was to be used as the basis for three Mercedes classes: E, CLS, and R (starting in 2010-2012). We don’t know that status of that deal and probably never will.
• The Challenger convertible is on hold. The Imperial seems to be dead for the moment along with the 200C four-door sedan.
• “Dodgeguy1961” reported the following engine list for the Chrysler 300 and 300C; a year or so later, he was vindicated by the presence of these engines in the Five Year Plan:
• 3.0 liter Phoenix V6 (possibly for export)
• 3.0 liter Mercedes turbodiesel V6 — same as the current version — possibly export-only
• 3.6 liter Phoenix V6 — we’d guess around 280 hp
• 5.7 liter Hemi MDS/VCT — we’d guess around 340-380 hp
• 6.4 liter Hemi (SRT) — we’d guess around 440-470 hp
• Transmissions are unknown and may not have been decided on. The W5A580 5-speed automatic will be the only transmission offered when the 2011 Chrysler 300C is launched. Two rumors are currently floating — one that a ZF-designed, joint-venture-built eight-speed automatic will eventually join the fleet, and one that Chrysler is working on or licensing a seven-speed variant of the W5A580. The latter would presumably be less disruptive and require fewer tooling changes and less training of dealer mechanics, and would presumably share many parts and require less of the electronics people.

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