2012 Chrysler 300C Pricing and Specs Released..

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by irish2

Most of that sounds like a lot of stuff just to go wrong. I live in Queensland so the heated steering and seats is useless, adaptive cruise, tyre pressure monitoring and collision avoidance just make people lazier, and the 8 speed auto seems a bit pointless.

You do know it snows in some places in Queensland. And for when it doesn't, ventilated seats and a cooled drink holder.

I get where your coming from, but a lot of people said the same thing about the 6 speed auto, when 4 speed was considered normal.

[jpd80]

A lot of the extras some would consider as "unnecessary" and just "more things to go wrong"
are in fact options expected by luxury buyers, it's what separates a luxury car from a pretender.

The Chryselr LX platform is a US frontline product and benefits from that market's volume to
make more options available at reasonable cost, something Ford and Holden will struggle with,
their cars are tied to the Australian market...they try hard but the money only goes so far..

[big_landau]

its like comparing a falcon 500 to a silver monach ltd i suppose.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by csv8

For near the same price as a Calais/G6E the 300C has these features the aussies car don't. 8 speed auto.Cooled/heated/illuminated cup holders,heated steering wheel, backlit steering wheel controls,heated/ventilated seats.Lumbar support electric adjust,,real wood, real carbon fibre SRT8. Nappa leather,automatic temperature control with auto defog, driver inter activ colour display, tyre pressure monitoring, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, front and rear park sense, audible and visual. adaptive cruise control, foward collision warning, adaptive forward lighting. Luxury adds 20" wheels, power sunshade, dual panoramic sunroof. I am not "selling" the 300C, but it just shows how povo pack our luxury cars are...Game on !!!

Not to forget the brilliant 19 speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, real premium sound, that's a refreshing change isn't it !!
ZF claim the 8 speed is 6% more fuel efficient than the 6 speed, who doesn't want a more optimal gear, sharper acceleration and 6% better economy, especially when there's flappy paddle gearchange levers on the steering wheel !!

Game on alright, pity it seems so one sided...I can't see Falcon and FPV getting near the overall equipment of the Chrysler...

BTW for anyone wondering what revs the SRT8 is pulling with its Mercedes-benz 5 speed auto on the highway, it does 2,000 revs @ 100 km/hr quite a bit more than a six speed ZF which is about 1500 revs at the same speed but it doesn't hurt the economy and the SRT8 is actually a fair bit more economical on the highway due to its cylinder fuel cut-out to 4 cylinders at light throttle settings, yet another feature the Falcon / FPV lacks...one touchdown and up widows, acoustic glass too.

Since writing that review I've also learned the SRT8 gets adaptive Bilstein shocks and adaptive damping on compression and rebound, not sure how its controlled, havn't got that far inside the animal, but this is in addition to the driver selectable suspension mode, normal or sports.

[A300srt8]

overall the local cars cant match whats on offer,i just hope the build quality is going to with stand the aussie environment

[mik]

i think the yank cars have always been a bit more focused on accessories/gadgets, i have a handful of US car brochures buried in my car library somewhere from the late 70`s , even then they had a bit more kit than our cars, but they can afford to.

[OzGTE]

I'm booked in to test drive the new SRT8 this morning, been doing a bit of research on them lately... could possibly be a new toy ordered today if all goes well, the dealership principal was saying there is currently a 6-12 week waiting list for the SRT8. There is someone in QLD who has already ordered one to be Supercharged ;)

[TEKILA]

I just saw one on the road, a black 300c srt8. All I can say is the photos do not do them any justice at all, Chrysler has done so well with this car it looks amazing! I thought at first they had ruined it until I saw on on the road, they look so tough.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by OzGTE

I'm booked in to test drive the new SRT8 this morning, been doing a bit of research on them lately... could possibly be a new toy ordered today if all goes well, the dealership principal was saying there is currently a 6-12 week waiting list for the SRT8. There is someone in QLD who has already ordered one to be Supercharged ;)

Give us a decent write-up mate. What did you think ? I just found out today that in addition to everything else i've mentioned they have a super trick Electronic stability system.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Give us a decent write-up mate. What did you think ? I just found out today that in addition to everything else i've mentioned they have a super trick Electronic stability system.

You know if you don't stop reading about them and going over the test drive in your mind, your going to order one.

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Give us a decent write-up mate. What did you think ? I just found out today that in addition to everything else i've mentioned they have a super trick Electronic stability system.

Yep, there's no harm in doing some research!

[Cheese3]

people comparing the srt8 vs gt/r8 and mention handling/track work is lesser than aussie brands. The 300 is a cruiser not a racer and 1/4 and track times mean nothing to the common people we are the minority about tuning/quarter mile times.

I look at the 300 srt8 and i think its an amazing bit of kit and if anyone is looking at spending 70k+ on a performance 4door saloon in australia you would be crazy not to choose this one. The 5 speed does let it down but the reviews about the 5speed aint negitive.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Grunter

You know if you don't stop reading about them and going over the test drive in your mind, your going to order one.

It certainly made an impression, can you tell ?

^^ I tend to agree about the gearbox thing, its not a bad box per se, in fact as we know its a Mercedes-benz design and has proven to be durable and reliable in high horsepower / torque applications such as the MBenz 380 kw 830 nm twin turbo S600, which makes so much power and torque the standard 7G tronic box Merc make rated to 700 nm's, can't handle it.

It shifts fairly smoothly and is adaptive BUT ZF as previously mentioned are claiming 14% fuel savings for their 8 speed compared to traditional 5 speed box's and that's a very worthwhile fuel saving, which along with even better acceleration and more intuative and adaptive programming will make next year's model significantly more attractive and lead to better residuals.

That said, anyone in the market for a high horsepower, high calibre large car right now, IMO the SRT8 is well worth their time to review.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Let's be reasonable here, Chrysler is pitching these offering at a much higher price and different demographic
to the regular RWD Ford / Holden buyer and by doing so, they are only appealing to a very small niche of buyers
who are prepared to put down in excess of $50,000 drive away....

The difference is that they have production lines back in the USA churning out lots
of LHD copies that improve the scales of economy, making these forays possible.

FoA and Holden struggle because they don't have that US support base for RWD any more,
so their developments are always tinged with cost cutting that spoil their great efforts.
It is maddening that Ford does not offer their diesel and a NA V8 for the mid series, this is an
area IMO, Ford must cover to enable the return of lapsed buyer wanting that affordable XR8/G8E...
and if Chrysler's success is the catalyst for that, then all the better for us Ford fans..

My two cents


(Off topic,
My hopes for a future Falcon is that Ford latch onto scales of economy with the perfect
amalgamation of global platform but having it applied as a regional RWD, unique and
hopefully desirable to Lincoln.. So come on Ford, put that virtual build technology
to work and let's see what can be done.)

It's not really a different demographic at all. Australians have proven that they can easily jump camps to Chrysler. Or any other brand.

To most, they see another large sedan that packs a 6, and 8, and costs more than a mid sizer.

What I'm saying is, looking at the global market, there is now more noise buzzing about RWD saloons then I can remember. Probably hasn't been this competitive since GM had half a million brands and rebodied the same vehicle for each one.

Ford is the only one with dispassionate morons staring at what's happening right in front of their face and not getting it. Just about every manufacturer bar the limp-wristed has a large RWD sedan, and throwing lots of money at them, and Ford is prepared to throw it's only one in the trash. Diesel I don't think would suit Falcon. It has EcoLPi which is basically a way to save money which is the purpose of a frugal diesel anyway.

And how long have I been saying that Lincoln could save Falcon? But No... Dearborn thinks a chromed up cheap Fusion with a glass roof is what buyers want. Not C-Classes, or 3 series, or ATS'. But I'm preching to the choir.

Originally Posted by jpd80

Well there you go.....
Maybe someone is sending a Big message to the locals to either sharpen their pencils or increase content.
Ford and Holden should start using better quality leather and interiors and start thinking higher spec.

I've been saying for quite some time. Falcon needs to become higher spec, and then go to more markets to be viable. Lower volume than the good old days, but more expensive and better than ever.

Ford will probably throw it away though. And I'm the Falcon optimist around here.

[Rodge]

On the diesel engine thing, the diesel in the Chrysler must be a pretty high tech unit to get 7.1 L/100 km's combined cycle for a 2 ton car that's not especially aerodynamic and being run through a not especially efficient 5 speed auto.

With the new 8 speed next year and if we assume ZF's claim of 14% fuel savings actually happen in this instance, we could see a Chrysler diesel with a combined consumption of perhaps as low as 6.1 L/100 km's.

Interestingly its extra urban consumption is allready very efficient for such a large car at 5.7 L/100 km's but that could be circa 4.9L/100 km's in due course translating into a range of circa 1,500 km's !! Ideal big car for Australia's big wide open spaces ? How many Falcon sales will that nick ?

[Bossxr8]

Chrysler should be paying you advertising money

[TMC]

Chrysler have always done things a little different to the other 2. Back in the 60's they came out with an engine virtually double the power of everyone else. They had the first production sedan in Australia that did 100mph, the first to fit electronic ignition as standard equipment (1973) and were the first to use an alternator. I always loved them because their engines had more torque than Ford and especially Holden. What did the Valiant in was the lack of effort given to remodel it in the late 70's due to Chrysler virtually going bankrupt. I think Chrysler have learnt from their mistakes and are doing things a little different again. I love the STR8, but what I'd really want is the 6.4L Challenger with a blower.

[Ben73]

I have been watching some Youtube videos about the new 300. I would buy one tomorrow if I could,
But I want an SUV first.

[dimka100]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=25306

A nine speed gearbox is incoming for the 300C next year, hope it comes out here as well

[Cheese3]

Originally Posted by dimka100

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=25306

A nine speed gearbox is incoming for the 300C next year, hope it comes out here as well

Very good chance we will get it IMO, They wont keep building a 5 speed for 20million low population of australia. What ever they get we will get, just ours will be RHD.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Rodge

On the diesel engine thing, the diesel in the Chrysler must be a pretty high tech unit to get 7.1 L/100 km's combined cycle for a 2 ton car that's not especially aerodynamic and being run through a not especially efficient 5 speed auto.

With the new 8 speed next year and if we assume ZF's claim of 14% fuel savings actually happen in this instance, we could see a Chrysler diesel with a combined consumption of perhaps as low as 6.1 L/100 km's.

Interestingly its extra urban consumption is allready very efficient for such a large car at 5.7 L/100 km's but that could be circa 4.9L/100 km's in due course translating into a range of circa 1,500 km's !! Ideal big car for Australia's big wide open spaces ? How many Falcon sales will that nick ?

NONE if Falcon would have fitted a diesel donk instead of that silly 4-cylinder EB job!

I think the charm of the 300C would die off after a while.

Waiting for a proper Fiat/Chrysler enginnered one, not a 2 decade old obsolete Benz hand me down

And to stick a Lancia badge on the Euro sold ones is THE largest car-crime ever done to the human race............hope it fails BIG TIME

[RASER]

Originally Posted by TMC

Chrysler have always done things a little different to the other 2. Back in the 60's they came out with an engine virtually double the power of everyone else. They had the first production sedan in Australia that did 100mph, the first to fit electronic ignition as standard equipment (1973) and were the first to use an alternator. I always loved them because their engines had more torque than Ford and especially Holden. What did the Valiant in was the lack of effort given to remodel it in the late 70's due to Chrysler virtually going bankrupt. I think Chrysler have learnt from their mistakes and are doing things a little different again. I love the STR8, but what I'd really want is the 6.4L Challenger with a blower.

Chrysler is like a 2 bit prostitute, its been kicked around from one owner to the next, how long before Fiat get sick of it?

Poor Walter, love his building in NY!

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Chrysler should be paying you advertising money

lol

we do as a human race run off the rails from time to time and fall in luv with the most bizzare items.

look at all the apple suckers!

[Cheese3]

Originally Posted by RASER

NONE if Falcon would have fitted a diesel donk instead of that silly 4-cylinder EB job!

I think the charm of the 300C would die off after a while.

Waiting for a proper Fiat/Chrysler enginnered one, not a 2 decade old obsolete Benz hand me down

And to stick a Lancia badge on the Euro sold ones is THE largest car-crime ever done to the human race............hope it fails BIG TIME

A 2 decade old benz hand me down will still out handle and perform a brand now 2012 FG.

I have owned 2 mid 90's euro cars and the handling/driving dynamics of them are better than 2012 FG's. This is one of the reasons i own AU's, Its the best handling/responsive falcon made IMO. And when people say the GT has super duper power with a tune, who cares? I rather take a slower car but enjoy the driving dynamics because racing to 60 from the lights is super cool, am i right?

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by RASER

...we do as a human race run off the rails from time to time and fall in luv with the most bizzare items....

A bit like someone constantly going on about a $30,000 F150 in Oz. ;)

[Rodge]

Driving the SRT8 has given me a bad dose of Bi-polar disorder from which i'm doing my best to recover.
On the bad days I think, FPV is lacking so much technology compared to it shame on them, other days I think, who cares... the FPV does the core business so well all that tech doesn't matter and it looks good doing it. The good days are the ones I drive my SC GT-P, I guess that's a good sign

[Franco Cozzo]

Diesel isn't just about the fuel economy, I reckon they drive a hell of a lot better in day to day driving than anything else (plus they sound cooler), I'm a diesel convert, just need a truckers hat now.

But with that Ecoboost engine producing most of its torque from 1500 RPM onwards, i reckon it would be damn good as well.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by dimka100

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=25306

A nine speed gearbox is incoming for the 300C next year, hope it comes out here as well

Nowhere in that article does Chrysler confirm anything going into the 300C, just that they are looking at 9 speed autos.

From previous articles i've read 9 speed autos will be for small capacity engines, and considering that Chrysler have just gone to the trouble of fitting the 8 speed to the V6, and going into the V8 next year, a 9 speed for 300C is unlikely in the short to medium term.

[pitpal]

I have looked very closely at the new srt8 and value for money they are bees knees. Would have loved to get into the sc fg but it's lame and tame looks just doesn't do it for me. Picked up a 2009 srt, fully loaded immaculate condition, 6.1 hemi with massive road presence,all for 35k. Would have luved an fpv as iv been a ford man all my life, but value for money, I couldn't go past the srt. In my opinion, the new srt has even more bang for your buck that anything that fpv or hsv has to offer, even the looks are restrained somewhat.

[Rodge]

I'm with BossXR8 on the 8 speed box. I know Chrysler have invested $300million to set up a manufacturing plant in the States to make the 8 speed ZF under licence and they have yet to spread that technology throughout the Chrysler range. Not aware that ZF have a 9 speed auto for rear drive application (they have one for FWD).