CHRYSLER 300C Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Chrysler brought back the 300 C nameplate at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show and shook the audience with this four-door performance vehicle.

Despite all odds and the electrification trend that conquered the automotive industry, Chrysler dared to roll out from the assembly line a special 300C. The production started with a limited series of 2000 units that were sold even before the vehicle was officially unveiled at the show in Chrysler's booth.

From the outside, it didn't look that much different than its predecessor. But there were some substantial changes, such as the new front bumper that hosted the LED foglamps at the bottom. Moreover, the black mesh grille surrounded by piano-black accents around it and the unique 300C badge on it looked bold. In addition, the flared wheel fenders hinted that there was something special underneath the hood.

Inside, Chrysler installed a mixed instrument cluster with analog speedometer and tachometer and a TFT between them for the onboard computer. The dashboard continued with a center stack that hosted the 8.4" Uconnect infotainment unit on its top and the HVAC control unit at the bottom. Both front seats were bolstered and featured the 300 C emblem embroidered on the front of the seatbacks. At the same time, the rear bench was profiled for two, and due to the low greenhouse, it was very challenging to host a third person in the middle.

Under the hood, Chrysler installed its well-known 6.4-liter HEMI engine that was good for 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque and paired it with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There has been a long time until an American carmaker offered a 4-door sedan hot-rod, but in 2005 Chrysler dared to launch on the market a car that could run the quarter-mile in lows 13 seconds.

After the Mercedes-Benz took-over the Chrysler, their alliance made possible the evolution of a few models and the introduction of several cars that made history. One of them was the Chrysler 300 C, which took some parts from the E-Class but with a retro-design of the '60s American sedans. Besides its aggressive look, the 300 C SRT8 could walk the walk.

The 300C featured a unique design, with a low greenhouse and only slightly raked A-pillars. Its slightly curved areas, long hood, and short trunk lid made the car looks ready to jump in a fierce race against any other vehicle on the road. A massive, flat and vertical, grid installed as a grille enhanced the aggressive look.

Inside, the SRT8 featured a distinctive white-dial instrument cluster with black needles. A green on black LCD sat on the upper side of the panel and displayed various parameters, including G-meter. To keep its occupants in place, the powerful version of the C300, Chrysler installed bucket-seats with high-bolstering for the front occupants. The sat-nav was offered as an option.

Under the hood, a 6.1-liter pushrod V8 engine was an all-classic Hemi that provided 430 hp on regular gasoline. It was paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to the rear wheels. Chrysler 300C SRT8 featured a stiffened suspension, which could handle the heavyweight barge at the same level as its AMG German brothers.

In 1998, Daimler and Chrysler formed an alliance that lasted for almost a decade, but one of the best results was the 2004 Chrysler 300C, resembling the former glory Chrysler C-300 from 1955.

Mercedes-Benz formed an alliance with Chrysler and tried to improve the American carmaker's range. For that, it offered various parts and underpinnings. Moreover, it helped it reach the European market by offering it specific engines and drivetrains that were more suitable for the driving conditions on the Old Continent. The 300C was one of the cars that benefited from that.

The vehicle took its inspiration from the 1998 Chrysler Chronos concept car, and it was unveiled in 2003 at the New York International Auto Show. The massive look of the car featured a flat front fascia, a low greenhouse, and a short trunk. Its cab-rearward design was emphasized by the long hood, while the unusual-looking headlights that flanked the broad grille gave the 300C a commanding look on the road.

Inside, the carmaker placed two bucket seats at the front, divided by a tall and wide center console. In front of the driver, the instrument panel revealed four dials with a retro-design theme. Despite the vehicle's length, there was not too much room in the back for taller passengers, not only because of the legroom but of the headroom.

The 300C's underpinnings were shared with the Mercedes-Benz's E-Class (W211) and S-Class (W-220). The final result was a vehicle that inspired many other Chrysler products even after the separation of Daimler from Chrysler. However, the most significant change in the Chrysler large-sedan lineup was the introduction of the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine designed for the European market. On the American market, the car came with a choice of gasoline engines ranging between 190 hp and 340 hp.

Virgil Exner penned the second generation of the Chrysler 300 letter series, and unlike its predecessor, it sported the C-letter after the number.

The coupe was both a luxurious and fast vehicle. Besides its design that was out of the ordinary, it also provided a lavish interior, air conditioning, and a beast under the hood. Chrysler advertised the 300C as "the most glamorous car in a generation."

While it wasn't the first letter-series Chrysler designed by Exner, the 300C was one of its bests. At the front, the car featured four round headlamps mounted on the upper side of the fenders and surrounded by a chromed trim. The broad trapezoidal shiny grille and the V-shaped bumper just added more flair to the vehicle's look. From its side, the hard-top coupe didn't have any B-pillar, completing the image of a faux-cabriolet. But the most attractive part of the vehicle was on the back, where the fins on the quarter panels and the angular, vertical taillights were unique.

Inside, Chrysler put everything it got in terms of luxury for the 300C, from power windows and seats to air conditioning and a sound system with discs. That's how confident they were with their suspensions. The bench seat at the front was wide enough for three passengers, and so was the rear one. There were three large dials on the instrument panel in front of the driver, with a clock in the middle, the speedometer on the left, and four gauges on the right side for the water temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and amps.

Under the hood, Chrysler installed its majestic 392 Hemi engine fed by dual four-barrel carburetors. It was paired with a choice of two three-speed gearboxes, one manual and one automatic.

Chrysler introduced the third of the 300 letter-series model in 1957 as a personal luxury coupe and convertible.

To say about a Chrysler 300 C that is big is an understatement. It was huge! It was longer than most of the limousines from the 2000s yet. It was a 2-door convertible vehicle. It featured advanced systems for those times and an option for air-conditioning, which was not so common.

At the front, the dual round headlights and its trapezoidal grille were specific for the 300 C. Its slightly raked but curved windshield offered a panoramic view, suitable for a vehicle that was two-meters (78.8 in) wide. Unlike the Saratoga model, which was very similar to it, it featured a chromed line on the rear quarter panel and a round badge with the 300 C name on it. The 300 C showed sharp fins on top of the fenders and big, tall triangular taillights in the back.

Inside, it was a luxury vehicle, with room for up to six occupants on two benches. At the front, the 300 C was offered with bucket seats as well. A push-button start was unusual for those times, and that made it special. Its rag-top was completely retractable behind the rear bench, in a special compartment.

Under the hood, Chrysler installed a Hemi V8 engine available in two power options paired to a 3-speed automatic transmission. The high power output version was built in a very limited edition of just 18 units.