Automotive

New Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan: 8-speed auto, 31 mpg, lots of trimmings

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The new eight-speed Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan leather trim
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan power backlight sunshade
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
The new eight-speed Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan
The new eight-speed Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan
The new eight-speed Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan interior
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Chrysler has launched its new 300 Luxury Series with what it has dubbed "the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler flagship ever." Coupling a ZF 8HP45 eight-speed automatic transmission to a 292 horsepower, 3.6-liter aluminum Pentastar V6 engine, the 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan gets 31 mpg (7.5 l/100 km) on the highway and 19 mpg (12.4 l/100 km) in the city, for a combined fuel economy figure of 23 mpg (10 l/100 km).

Chrysler says this is an improvement in fuel economy of up to 17 percent compared to previous generation six-cylinder Chrysler 300 AWD models. The new Chrysler 300 is available in RWD or, for a little more cash, with an AWD system that offers improved fuel economy. The AWD system features an active transfer case and front-axle-disconnect system so that when AWD isn't required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle and transitions between AWD and RWD without driver intervention.

As Chrysler's flagship, the car has a range of luxury trimmings including Italian leather interior with hand sanded wood finish, 12-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats, die cast paddle shifters and an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Garmin navigation, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. There's also power-adjustable pedals with memory, power backlight sunshade and dual heated/cooled cup holders.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series joins the Chrysler 300C Luxury Series sedan, which boasts a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with Fuel Saver Technology. The 300 Luxury Series starts at US$40,145 for the RWD model and $42,495 for the AWD model.

View gallery - 12 images
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8 comments
Slowburn
Unless it has either really smooth gear changes or is really good at finding the right gear for cruising the constant jerking will distract from the luxury.
Fahrenheit 451
You can\'t make a silk purse out of a sow\'s ear.
Bill Bennett
that grille looks my electric shaver
Alan Belardinelli
Not a bad looking car. I\'ll wait until the reviews come out before commenting on something that I cannot see or feel, Slowburn :)
Bruce Curtis
This car\'s interior is the obvious beneficiary of Fiat\'s (Chrysler\'s current owner) boosted investment; you\'ve got a quality looking wood trimmed environment that telegraphs upscale Manhattan loft, looking a lot more Bauhaus than Mercedes\' austere luxo interiors. It\'s a sow\'s ear that\'s a lot more \'silk purse\' that whatever Fahrenheit 451 is now driving. And where are you going to find an entry level prestige car capable of a muscle car-like 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, while still breaking 30 mpg highway? The 300 could be a renaissance carrier for for the pentastar.
PrometheusGoneWild.com
An eight speed transmission is amazing (four speed with hi/low?). But only 31MPG? With an aluminum engine block? Where is all the weight coming from? While I applaud the technological innovation, My Ford Fusion with a five speed auto and a four cylinder that gets 20/29 MPG. Granted it has a smaller engine (but on the highway many times a bigger engine with the right gearing can be very efficient. They idle down the highway), but is not much smaller in physical size. It has three gears less.....
Neil
I\'m sorry to be dismissive but every Chrysler product we have owned has been a dog. To add insult to injury we were forced to pay our hard-earned taxes for this company\'s bailout. Also, we recently rented a Chrysler for a trip. It was horrible. Never will we buy from Chrysler again.
JD Auto Talk
I agree with Neil and Fahrenheit 451 - it's a sow's ear with nothing relevant to contribute to today's marketplace. There are so many car companies in American history that retired into the long night; some long ago, some recently. I really wish Chrysler would join them.