Chrysler Heads Upscale with 300C Sedan

["Stragand, Dave" <dave.stragand@xxxx>]

The 300C name is back again! Should be out next year, and with a Hemi.
=) But where's that nice looking 300 Hemi C Convertible?

-Dave

Chrysler heads upscale with 300C sedan
Wednesday April 16, 1:49 pm ET 
By Justin Hyde 


NEW YORK, April 16 (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler AG's (NYSE:DCX - News;
XETRA:DCXGn.DE - News) Chrysler arm unveiled the 300C sedan concept car
on Wednesday, its boldest attempt yet to recapture some of the
near-luxury status the Chrysler brand once held.
 
The rear-wheel-drive car, which closely mimics a model that will go on
sale next year, ties a 300-horsepower V8 to a Mercedes transmission and
driveline. Instead of using the "cab-forward" design of its current
large sedans, the 300C revives a formal, upright style and large front
grill that Chrysler says will be its future look.

While Chryslers once competed with Cadillacs as luxury cars decades ago,
most Chryslers today cost less than $30,000. But this year's new models,
the Mercedes-based Crossfire coupe and the Pacifica wagon, both carry
price tags of more than $32,000. A fully loaded Pacifica can break
$40,000 -- heady territory for a brand whose only other near-luxury
offering is the Town & County minivan.

Chrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche has long argued that the
incentive-driven sales approach led by General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM -
News) was destructive, teaching customers to buy on price instead of
real demand.

He said Chrysler's new models were as much about offering more value for
consumers as they were about getting more money for the Chrysler name.

"It's not a new market for us," Zetsche said, noting the Town & County's
price tag. "It's just more product in that one area."

Wes Brown, an industry analyst with Nextrend, said the near-luxury
market Chrysler was targeting was one of the most competitive in the
United States, but also one with high potential for growth.

"To move into that segment where you haven't been before -- it's going
to be a difficult transition, being that the brand image associated with
the name Chrysler is weaker than the majority of the competition," Brown
said. 

****************************

Chrysler Redefines the Classic American Automobile
with Worldwide Reveal of 300C Concept

Combines Elegant Design, Noble Proportions

Production Version of Chrysler 300C Concept to Arrive in Chrysler
Dealerships in 2004

All-New Platform Features Contemporary HEMI Power, Rear-Wheel Drive
Performance

Chrysler 300C Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Famous 'Letter Series' Cars

Chrysler 300C, Along with All-New 2004 Chrysler Pacifica and Crossfire,
Propel Brand into Premium Market Position

Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr. 16, 2003 -Today, Chrysler redefines the
classic American automobile with the worldwide debut of the Chrysler
300C concept at the 2003 New York International Auto Show. With an
entirely new shape based on the company's all-new rear-drive
architecture, this striking concept sedan continues the Chrysler brand's
proud 'letter series' tradition - but in a thoroughly modern way.

It's been nearly five decades since Chrysler first introduced its fabled
'letter series' cars. The brand's renowned line of Chrysler 300s
started with the C-300 in 1955, and continued for 11 years. Few American
automakers have since matched their reputation for blending performance,
prestige and sheer presence.  

Chrysler 300C features classic proportions -- a long hood, short deck
and a dramatic profile complete with 20-inch tires. Paying tribute to
some of the first letter series cars, a production version similar to
the Chrysler 300C concept will go on sale in 2004, further solidifying
the Chrysler brand's premium position in the market.

"Chrysler 300C signals a dramatic new design direction for Chrysler,"
said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group. "With its
new shape and noble proportions, the Chrysler 300C redefines the classic
American automobile, while moving the brand solidly into the premium
segment of the market." 

While Chrysler 300C is a concept vehicle, it provides a strong hint at
the first sedan from Chrysler Group's much-anticipated next generation
of rear-wheel drive vehicles to debut in 2004.  

"With recent introductions including the innovative Chrysler Pacifica
sports tourer and the head-turning Crossfire sports coupe, and now the
all-new 300C, the Chrysler brand has one of the most impressive product
portfolios in the industry," added Zetsche. "These vehicles will enable
us to move the Chrysler brand to a premium position within the U.S.
market."
   
Transferring all this power to the pavement is Chrysler's new rear-drive
architecture. Rear-wheel drive offers improved handling with front
wheels steering and rear wheels driving. With tremendous advances in
tire technology and electronic stability control, Chrysler brings back
the rear-wheel drive passenger sedan.  

The Chrysler 300C concept also marks the return of the HEMI engine to
the Chrysler brand after more than 30 years. The legendary engine
design that powered Chrysler's 'letter series' cars in the 1950s has
been re-engineered and reborn as a modern, high-performance,
fuel-efficient and durable powerplant known as the all-new 5.7-liter
HEMI V-8.  

"Combining confident performance with stunning design, the Chrysler 300C
concept defines our next generation of automobiles," said Zetsche. "With
rear-wheel drive and HEMI Inside, Chrysler 300C delivers power and
performance in an elegant package." 

Following are "at-a-glance" features in the Chrysler 300C Concept Sedan:

Performance

5.7-liter HEMI(r) V-8 engine 
Electronically-controlled five-speed automatic transmission with
AutoStick(r) 
Rear-wheel drive configuration 
Short- and long-arm front suspension 
Independent five-bar multilink rear suspension 
Rack and pinion steering 
Front P245/45R20, Rear P275/40R20 tires 
Deep-disch 20" x 8" front/20" x 9" rear fives-spoke wheels 
Dual exhaust
Amenities

Tortoise shell accents on steering wheel rim, shifter knob and door
pulls 
Heated leather seats 
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with flush-mounted audio and trip
computer controls 
Tilt-telescoping steering wheel 
Automatic temperature control
Safety

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 
Traction Control 
Anti-lock brake system 
Vehicle architecture supporting all-wheel drive system 
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps 
Navigation radio with integrated six-disc CD changer