In the mid-90s, the American automaker Chrysler presented to the public its concept, which became known as Eagle Jazz. It was this car that became the forerunner of such a luxury sedan as the Chrysler 300M. His debut took place in Detroit, in 1998. And in his appearance, it was indeed possible to catch some similarities with the concept that became known 3 years ago. However, the refined appearance was not the only feature of this sedan.
Exterior
The Chrysler 300M is five meters long, 1422 mm high, and 1980 mm wide. The wheelbase is quite impressive - 2870 mm. Ground clearance is only 13 centimeters.
Outwardly, this car seems incredibly huge, but this is only at first glance, because it has an impressive length and a swept shape. But the car looks impressive. Everything draws attention: a low roof, expressive optics, a large glazing area (both front and rear), a long hood, large feed and massive overhangs. Each element gives the appearance of the car sportiness and swiftness.
Salon
If you look inside the car, you can immediately understand - this is a true business class. Everything looks expensive and presentable. Only high-quality materials were used in the decoration, and ergonomics are thought out to the smallest detail. By the way, the interior still looks modern and relevant.
On the dashboard there are 3 ventilation deflectors and neat audio and climate control units. The dashboard consists of four circles of white color on which indicators of black color are located.
Comfortable seats are especially pleasing. They are wide, comfortable, moderately soft and, moreover, are regulated in 8 directions. The only thing they lack is pronounced lateral support.
Three passengers will feel comfortable behind. There is enough space and space for everyone, largely due to the overall wheelbase and the length of the model.
It is also worth noting the attention of the trunk. Its volume is 530 liters. True, he also has a minus, which lies in a small loading opening. Oversized items cannot be put into the compartment.
What's under the hood?
Chrysler 300M is not only an attractive and comfortable business sedan, but also quite powerful and dynamic. Its characteristics justify the sporty design.
The base Chrysler 300M was equipped with a 203-horsepower 2.5-liter engine. This petrol V-shaped atmospheric six accelerated the sedan to 210 km / h. And the speedometer needle reached 10.2 seconds after the start of movement. By the way, this motor was offered in tandem with a 4-speed "automatic".
It is worth noting that the Chrysler 300M engine has a fairly solid fuel consumption. About 10.2 liters of gasoline goes per 100 kilometers in a combined cycle.
True, the buyer could purchase a car with a more powerful engine under the hood. Its volume was 3.5 liters, and power - 252 hp. Up to 100 kilometers, a car with such a motor accelerated in 7.8 seconds, and its speed limit was 225 km / h. The consumption of this car, of course, was greater - about 12 liters in the combined cycle.
Controllability
Talking about what the Chrysler 300M has, one cannot fail to note the smoothness and handling of the car. For a machine that weighs nearly 2,000 kilograms, it is ideal. The only negative is a somewhat delayed reaction to sudden steering movements. But there are no rolls in the corners, and this vehicle holds the trajectory. On the road, the car drives very confidently, especially comfortable and soft suspension. Even large holes smooth out imperceptibly, which is to say about ordinary urban irregularities. True, if you drive on this car along hard asphalt joints or rails, then in the steering wheel you can feel the vibration.
In general, you should not test this model on bad roads. She, of course, is assembled soundly and boasts good quality, but her ground clearance is only 13 centimeters. It is necessary to remember this. And in no case do not drive on the road, and if necessary, it is better to do it at minimum speeds.
And one more small nuance - brakes. They are disc, ventilated, but you have to get used to them. They cannot quickly stop such a dimensional and dynamic car, so the driver needs to be braked in advance.
Equipment
This car, like every business class car, has a rather extensive list of equipment. There is an alarm system, a central locking system, an ABS system, EBD, an immobilizer, an Airbag, a multi-function adjustable steering wheel with power steering, cruise and climate control, an on-board computer, power windows, mirrors and seats, as well as their heating.
But that's not all. Feedback alarms, ESC, xenon headlights, a navigator, 12-inch alloy wheels and factory tinting were also offered. In general, everything that you might need is in this car.
Cost
This topic should also be noted with attention when talking about the Chrysler 300M. The price of this car in America is 3-4 thousand dollars nowadays. Initially, it was more expensive, of course. In Russia, this model can now be found in ads for sale, and for a fairly modest price.
What it will depend on the year of manufacture, equipment and installed under the hood of the engine. For example, for 350 thousand rubles you can buy a model in excellent condition, produced in 2000, with a 3.5-liter engine. For this amount, a person will receive a car in the maximum configuration with ASR, ABS, power steering, adjustable and heated seats, remote control, central locking and other nice additions. You can find cheaper options, for example, for 200, 250 thousand rubles. But then it is advisable to check the car at the service station before buying, so that later in the process of operation there will not be any unpleasant surprise like the car was bat, welded, etc. Still, the car is not new, care should be taken.
Owner Comments
Business class has always been held in high esteem by motorists. Naturally, the majority, having a certain amount of money, makes a choice in favor of Mercedes, Audi or BMW. It’s only in Russia that it is unlikely that these machines will surprise anyone, but you want originality, which Chrysler has plenty of. So many people, thinking, decided to purchase this particular car.
"Chrysler 300M" receives only positive reviews largely due to its engine. Reliable and unpretentious in maintenance, it works quietly, which also pleases. Motorists note that this car can be driven silently and dynamically, if you do not gain more than 2-2.5 thousand revolutions. Many more praise overclocking. It is impressive: you can’t expect such dynamics from a car 5 meters long and weighing two tons.
Another advantage is the incredibly convenient tuning of the gas pedal. As the driver presses it, so the car will go. In the management of this car is really very convenient, especially happy PPC. Adaptive "automatic" adapts to the driving style. If a person travels rather slowly, not gaining speed, then the gearbox shifts to higher gears earlier, so as not to consume too much fuel. Over the years, these cars have quite a solid consumption: around the city - about 15-17 liters (including traffic jams), along the highway - about 9-10.
Car improvement
Many people, having bought this or that car, have a healthy desire to improve it, and this can be understood. Chrysler 300M is no exception. Tuning often touched him.
Especially popular are the so-called lambo doors. That is, those that open vertically. I must say that on a business sedan such as Chrysler, it looks good and fully justifies itself. Just trust the installation procedure for such doors to a professional. In the absence of proper experience, it will turn out not to improve, but to ruin the car.
Many more install a new aerodynamic body kit, which also makes the model more attractive and spectacular. Some change the console, lining, make inserts under the tree to look more solid.
But the most difficult tuning is technical, namely forcing the engine. Chrysler’s motor is powerful, but some drivers would like to make the performance even more impressive. If you wish and with skillful hands, you can increase the number of “horses” up to 300. However, forcing is a whole range of measures during which you will have to replace pistons, connecting rods, valves and many other details. Trust this business only to professionals.