2012 Lancia Thema - Luxury Car

The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury car first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built as a high-end sedan while the SRT-8 model was designed to be the high-performance version. The Chrysler 300 is also marketed in Australia, as the first full-size Chrysler vehicle sold there since the Valiant was discontinued in 1981. The car will be sold in Europe as the Lancia Thema beginning in October 2011. However, it will remain branded as the Chrysler 300 in the UK only.

A redesigned 300 was introduced in 2011. Exterior changes include a revised body, bi-xenon HID projector headlights, LED daytime running strips within the headlights, modified tail lights with LEDs and a horizontally slotted front grill. The car also features an updated version of the Chrysler brand's winged emblem. Thinner roof pillars and a more raked windshield will contribute to improved visibility. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof will offer twice the outward visibility of an average sunroof. The new 300 has optional 20-inch polished-aluminum wheels. Interior upgrades included a new instrument panel with "soft-touch" materials throughout, 8.4 inch Uconnect Touch, new steering wheel and center console. Both seat-mounted and curtain side airbags were made standard.

The predecessors' 2.7- and 3.5-liter engines were replaced with Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 292 horsepower (218 kW) and 260 lb·ft (350 N·m) of torque. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine remained available with 363 horsepower. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 will also be available in Europe.

The 2011 model is offered in Touring, Limited, 300C, and 300C AWD configurations. Touring and Limited trims will come with the Pentastar V6 while the 300C line will offer the 5.7. A 300S trim was introduced in 2011 New York International Auto Show, which featured a blacked-out grille and headlamps, as well as 20-inch polished-face aluminum wheels with black painted pockets, and a 300C Executive series. The 300C will be marketed as Lancia Thema in all European markets except the United Kingdom, where it will retain the Chrysler marque.

An SRT-8 version was unveiled at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, powered by a 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 engine. The 6.4 392 Hemi engine is also used in other Chrysler Group SRT vehicles. With 465 hp (347 kW), the new 300 SRT-8 can go from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in the high 4 seconds range.

In addition to the increase in power, the SRT8 will receive some exterior restyling to include a lower front fascia, large exhaust tips, removal of chrome trim (replaced with body color trim,) and large 20-inch aluminum wheels. The car is also lowered by a half-inch and rides on a new, sportier suspension. Lastly, the car gets a large Brembo brake package.

Posted in: Chrysler