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27 Oct 2011

2012 Chrysler 300C Launches in Europe

European version of the Chrysler 300C, the Lancia Thema, goes on sale in LHD markets. All-new bodywork more elegant and sophisticated but no less distinctive than before. All-new interior offers class-defining quality, comfort, refinement and equipment levels. New engines combine performance and refinement with low running costs. Suspension and steering tuned specifically for demanding European tastes. On sale in the UK and Ireland in the spring, badged Chrysler 300C. Prices and final specifications announced closer to that time.

2012 Chrysler 300C Launches in Europe

Launched in the U.S. in 2004 and in Europe the following year, the Chrysler 300C was a milestone vehicle for the brand. Its unabashed American style, refined chassis, vast cabin and impressive performance helped the Chrysler 300C amass a strong fan base on both sides of the Atlantic and re-establish Chrysler as a maker of desirable and competitive luxury cars.

Now, under the guidance of Fiat Group Automobiles and once again posting strong sales and profits, the resurgence of Chrysler continues with the European launch of the 2012 Chrysler 300C. Known as the Lancia Thema in Continental Europe, the new Chrysler 300C gets a sophisticated new look thanks to its all-new bodywork: A new front grille, sculpted front bumper and HID headlamps with C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights define the Chrysler 300C's distinctive new ‘face', while a more steeply raked windscreen, new doors, new glazing and new wheel designs all combined to redefine the 300C's profile. The rear end is updated with sophisticated LED light clusters, new exhausts, a new bumper and a new, aerodynamically-enhanced boot-lid.

The Chrysler 300's cabin has also been completely reinvigorated. There's a new dashboard and door-card design, finished with luxurious new soft-touch plastics, open-pore wood and plush leather. The new instruments are bathed in sapphire-blue lighting and a high-resolution, touch-screen display, the largest in the class, not only gives the dashboard a high-tech look it also makes accessing the vehicle's many features both easy and intuitive.

The 300C's seats are now more supportive and comfortable than before, while the exacting build quality and vastly improved refinement levels all help lend the new Chrysler 300C the feel of vehicle from a class above. For a truly first-class experience, Nappa leather and a dashboard trimmed in "Poltrona Frau" leather are optional on the top "Limited" model.

Three engines are offered to European customers, one petrol unit and two diesels, although because of the diesel orientation of Irish market the new "Pentastar" 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, which produces 286hp and 340Nm and is mated to a new, eight-speed, ZF automatic transmission, will not be offered in Ireland. Instead, Irish customers will be able to choose one of two versions of Chrysler's new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, one producing 190hp and 440Nm and the other an impressive 239hp and 550Nm. Developed by Fiat Powertrain and VM Motori, this new engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission as standard and offers vastly superior fuel economy, performance, refinement and CO2 emissions than the engine it replaces.

Based on the current model's LX platform, the new Chrysler 300's multi-link front and rear suspensions have been extensively retuned for demanding European customers, while the electro-hydraulic power steering system has been sharpened to make the vehicle even more precise and satisfying to drive. Refinement levels and cabin quietness have also been boosted considerably, thanks to new, composite, under-body panels; twin-layer acoustic glazing; new sound-deadening wheel-arch liners and triple seals on all doors.

In keeping with Chrysler tradition, standard equipment is exceptionally high on all 300C models, with buyers of the entry-level SR version enjoying such luxuries as a touch-screen Uconnect® infotainment system; dual-zone climate control; reversing camera; bi-xenon headlamps; "Keyless Go"; cruise control; full leather trim; power-adjustable and heated front seats; 18-inch alloy wheels; a power adjustable steering wheel; auto-dimming and power-folding door mirrors and even a power-operated fuel filler cap. The top "Limited" model adds Garmin satellite navigation, a premium audio system, heated rear seats, cooled front seats, heated and cooled cupholders, power adjustable pedals, Smartbeam headlamps and 20-inch alloy wheels, all as standard.

In addition, standard safety features across the range include advanced ESP (incorporating both brake pre-fill and brake-disc drying systems) Active Pedestrian Protection, a reversing camera with Cross Path Detection and nine airbags, including a drivers' knee airbag and rear side airbags. The top Limited version adds Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Mitigation and Blind Spot Detection, advanced features which cost thousands extra on rival models.

The new Chrysler 300C goes on sale in the spring of 2012 with prices and final specifications to be announced closer to launch. For your information, there are no plans to produce the new Chrysler 300C in estate form and the high-performance SRT-8 version will not be produced in right-hand drive.

 

 

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