2023 Chrysler 300C Packs 6.4L HEMI V8 in Final Iteration
Reinvented in 2005, a half-century after the original, the Chrysler 300 is about to retire once more, but not before offering customers the biggest engine in the automaker’s catalogue—the 6.4-litre HEMI V8.
A special event to mark the occasion took place tonight near the Spirit of Detroit statue, on the eve of media day for the 2022 North American International Auto Show.
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The new Chrysler 300C introduced for 2023 will be limited to 2,000 units in the U.S. and 200 in Canada. It would have made more sense to make 300 of them available, right? Anyway, the model packs 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, good enough to reach 97 km/h (60 mph) in just 4.3 seconds and cover the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds.
The famous 392 cubic inch, naturally aspirated engine is paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission that can perform 160-millisecond shifts. Keeping the car under control are red-painted, four-piston Brembo brakes.
Other performance goodies include a limited-slip differential with a 3.09:1 ratio, active damping suspension and active exhaust system with black rounded tips letting out a throatier sound.
Designers slapped a tri-colour 300C badge on the front grille and rear decklid, and they chose 20-by-9-inch forged wheels to go with the all-season performance tires. The exterior also carries black chrome accents on the grille and lower fascia, plus black headlamp and taillamp bezels. Three body colours are available including Gloss Black, Velvet Red and Bright White.
The interior has not been overlooked, of course. Black Laguna leather front seats (with standard heating and ventilation) are embossed with the new 300C logo and further accented with unique silver stitching. Silver stitching also reaches the doors and leather instrument panel, with carbon fibre and Piano Black touches on the interior bezels.
Furthermore, drivers will enjoy the 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, as well as the numerous active safety features including Advanced brake assist, Lane Departure Warning Plus and Full Speed Collision Warning Plus.
The 2023 Chrysler 300C will be available to order this fall with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Remember, the Brampton, Ontario assembly plant where it’s built will undergo retooling starting in 2024. When it comes back online sometime in 2025, the facility will manufacture all-new vehicles built on one of Stellantis’ new architectures including at least one fully electric model.