What? did you know that Mercedes-Benz W 210 is still produced? Well... more or less

On the other side of the Atlantic, the equipment that created the Mercedes-Benz EW 210 Class lives under the clothes of the Chrysler 300C. The real history of resistance.

That’s fine. Features that 28 years ago made Mercedes-Benz E-Class (generation W 210) they are still alive and are “on the other side” of the Atlantic.

They continue their path in the almost “immortal” Chrysler 300C, a model launched in 2004 and which is still produced almost two decades (!) later – it was extensively revised in 2011.

Along the way, it did the most amazing thing these days: it went through the raindrops of the ongoing revolution in the automotive industry.

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Apparently, 2023 will be the last “cucumber” of the Chrysler 300C. But we’re not betting against it…

The American brand has long lost its connection Mercedes-Benzbut the German DNA continues to run in the «guts» of this model.

More carefully, this is not a completely unknown example. You probably have a memory of this model already being sold in Europe. However, it changed its name, it was sold as Lancia – yes that is correct – and now, for 2023, it will receive its most powerful version ever.

To recap: he is an American model, with German genes and who somewhere during his life became an Italian model in Europe. Thank you globalization!

Confusing, isn’t it?

explain this cock of parts and components, should go back to the end of the last century.

It was 1998 when Daimler – now Mercedes-Benz Group – had the unfortunate idea of acquiring the Chrysler Company, the owner at the time of the brand. Chrysler, Jeep and to avoid.

I say I was unhappy because, despite the good intentions of both parties, the cultural differences between the two companies spoke louder. The Germans and the Americans did not understand each other.

One of the children of this marriage – which, as we know, was short-lived – was the Chrysler 300C in particular.

The American brand, already at the beginning of this century, began the development of a new generation of its large models and was in dire need of new features, and Mercedes-Benz was its “line”.

In 2004, “Frankenstein’s monster” was born – recalling a character from Mary Shelley’s novel – called Chrysler 300C and which used components from the old Mercedes-Benz E Class (W 210) and other models of the star brand mixed in new. a platform developed by Chrysler called the LX.

The Germans went to the trunk and took elements from the already rejected E-Class of the W 210 generation. For the low demand market of North America it was enough.

The multi-arm rear suspension of the W 210, five-speed automatic transmission with rear differential, steering column, electronic equipment (ESP, traction control) and other invisible equipment from the E-Class and other Mercedes were fully used by North American brand for the 300C.

Despite not being a technological breakthrough, the first 300C managed to have a successful commercial run in the USA and, for a short time, was very popular in Europe as well – thanks in large part to a V6 Diesel from, you guessed it, Mercedes. Largely due to its design, which was highly praised at the time.

In addition to the saloon, there was a 300C wagon.

However, the results of this Daimler-Chrysler alliance worldwide have never been positive. Many millions of dollars later (in 2006 alone the damage reached 1500 million euros) the Germans were fed up with the Americans and lost money – We don’t know what filled them first… – and in 2008 announced the sale of Chrysler.

Goodbye Daimler, hello FIAT

Who was always careful with all these movements Sergio Marchionne (1952-2018). The man who saved FIAT from almost inevitable bankruptcy, looked at Chrysler and managed to find potential where no one else could see it.

With this change in position, the Chrysler 300C also underwent several changes. Did you stop using Mercedes-Benz features? Don’t act. The second generation was launched in 2011, still based on the LX (which also evolved), and on this side of the Atlantic it was called… Lancia Thema.

As we know, this was not what Lancia needed.

However, as expected, Lancia failed to succeed – who would have said… – in the way recommended by the management of the agora Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Management order: stop the Lancia brand and thus the Thema.

Lancia has supported its market presence with a number of models with only one each – Italy and Ypsilonrespectively —, but the Chrysler 300 C survived, against all odds, supported by the North American market where standard Demand is traditionally lower than in Europe.

Arrived in 2021, French of PSA group (Peugeot Citroën), led by the Portuguese manager Carlos Tavaresagrees to merge with FCA, creating a “giant” Stellantis.

So, to recap, since it was launched in 2004 the Chrysler 300C has survived three regimes: Daimler (Mercedes-Benz), FCA (Fiat) and Stellantis.

2023. End of the Chrysler 300C line?

If bugs were a car, it might be a Chrysler 300C—apparently the only thing alive that could survive a nuclear holocaust. The survival potential is very similar to that of this North American model.

Or maybe he was a butterfly. An insect that is born as a larva and that after a short metamorphosis is completely transformed into its best version: a butterfly. This is probably the most accurate analogy, because in 2023 – most likely the last year of the 300C – we will see its best version.

To say goodbye to this model, the American brand – of course with the approval of Carlos Tavares – will launch the most powerful 300C ever.

The last 300C as we know it since 2004, in a limited edition of 2200 units with a very special engine.

We are talking about the final version that will have the original HEMI V8 engine with a capacity of 6.4 liters and 492 hp (485 hp) of power. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h? Just four seconds.

In dynamic terms, the rear axle received a limited slip differential and the brakes received significant improve provided by Brembo. Only 2200 units will be produced.

That is why we know that Carlos Tavares was consulted. If it were up to the Americans, they would produce another 60,000 units.

This is what we found when we opened the hood of the 300C. Big V8 engine, “American” style.

For this farewell, Chrysler thus pays tribute to the first generation 300C, launched in 1955. It had a 5.4 l V8 engine and produced 300 hp – it was one of the fastest models of the time.

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Be that as it may, the story of this style is extraordinary. Despite all the obstacles and against all expectations, it not only survived but is revealed in its «last act» in its best form. It doesn’t matter that under its skin, pieces of what was once the Mercedes-Benz EW 210 Class still live on.