2012 CHRYSLER 300 SHOWS IMPROVED QUALITY

Upgrades afforded the brand new Chrysler 300 take it to another plane in the brand’s history and put it that much closer to the Germans. While it might not yet match the Huns, there are rivals who should be worried. In fact, from what we can see, it now looks like a very close competitor to the Lexus GS.

When the old 300 C first came out we loved how “gangsta” it looked; that massive front grille, big chrome wheels, relatively small side windows and deep boot. Unfortunately the interior did not meet our expectations as it only presented mostly what was left over from Mercedes-Benz’s old parts bin.

So when Chrysler ironed out the gangstaness, it also introduced new levels of luxury and perceived quality, especially inside. As you can see for yourself, this is a far cry from the previous-generation in terms of leathers used, colours, plastics, dials and so on. A Natural Pore Mocha wood trim in a matte finish is one of the highlights, alongside some really impressive stitching and well-designed bits like the rear seats.

You know Sergio Marchione’s influence is now supreme law when Chrysler’s press statement says “the 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series combines ultra-premium leather - once limited to some of the most exotic Italian luxury cars - with world-class refinement and handling.”

Powertrain is spearheaded by two engines, a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a 5.7-litre HEMI V8. Both are naturally aspirated and available with a ZF-built 8-speed automatic gearbox. The V6 produces 215kW and is said to return an average of 10.2 litres per 100km in fuel. The big V8 on the other hand, delivers 267kW. Both send power to the rear wheels but can be offered in all-wheel-drive (AWD) in some markets.