Napleton News 2023 Chrysler 300C

Intended for use in showrooms after the 2023 model year, the Chrysler 300 makes its swan song with the Chrysler 300C. It’s the last year for the current generation of large four-door sedans from Stellantis. At some point, Daimler Benz owned the Chrysler Corporation and took the name Daimler-Chrysler. The 300 C dates back to the late 1990s Mercedes-Benz E Class cars that were being produced at the same time. They have been successful sellers for many years. Napleton News got a chance to spend some time in the final round of the Chrysler 300C. Here is our latest look.

What drives the Chrysler 300C?

There is a range of engines available for the 300 starting with a 3.6 liter V6 engine. Order a Chrysler 300S and that number jumps another eight horses to 300 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

The second is the 300 S with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8. It makes 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque.

Finally, there’s the 300C with its 6.4-liter HEMI V8. It’s the same engine found in the Dodge Charger and Challenger Scat Pack models, but it essentially transforms the 300C into a fire-breathing four-door beast. We’re talking about a whopping 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Numbers are limited. Chrysler has modeled 2,000 models for this final year, and so far, they’re all being talked about.

What does the Chrysler 300C look like?

Back in 2004, people were saying Chrysler 300 he looked like a baby Bentley or Rolls Royce. Following a 2011 facelift, Chrysler designers smoothed things out a bit, resulting in a more aggressive stance, if you ask us. The 300S models have become more stylish and sporty.

In the case of the 300C, it’s been messier yet. Add in a mesh grille, blacked-out exhaust tips, red Brembo brake calipers, and more black trim around the exterior. Finally, top it off with a chrome, red and blue 300C badge up front for the final cherry on top.

Inside the four-door Challenger.

Back when this model was new in 2011, critics called the interior bulky. Now that we’re in 2023, it’s still there. It is packed with everything a discerning driver could want these days. These include full leather interior, Uconnect 4C infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are part of the package, as is the standard Alpine audio system. But since this is part of the 300C package, that means it will include a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.

In hindsight, we think the car looks dated inside. After all, this is a 12-year-old model that debuted in 2011. It offers ventilated and heated front seats and rear seat headrests and legroom for even the tallest passengers. And you can’t help but fall in love with the great trunk, too.

Behind the wheel of the 300C

Like the old school, the Chrysler 300C is part of the last line of HEMI-powered V8 muscle cars from the Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram divisions of Stellantis. Indeed, it is long in the tooth, and in some eyes already put out for pasture, but the truth is that it is still a high-performance advantage of the four-door five-seater.

Thanks to its Mercedes-Benz-sourced adaptive suspension and multilink rear set-up, and its 6.4-litre fire-breathing engine, it’s still some of the most fun you can have on four wheels.

Touch the ignition button and you’ll be instantly awakened by the roar of power from the Hemi engine. Turn the gear selector to drive, and you’ll be off in no time. Did we mention that once you get inside, you’ll be rewarded with a screaming boost that will get you to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds? It does the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 114 mph. Car and Driver magazine says that it is one of the few cars in recent memory that “uses every part of the 160 mph speedometer.

Well, we didn’t get there, but we worked the needle well. It’s sad, but after this model year, not many will get the chance to repeat this…in this car. We consider ourselves some of the lucky few.

Chrysler 300C specs