Chrysler 300 Spied!

[2o6]

Too anonymous.





http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/04/spy-shots-2012-chrysler-300c-caught-completely-undisguised/

[Vinsanity]

Anonymous? It's definitely recognizable as a Chrysler 300 to me

I'd say it's a bit too familiar. Although it does look a bit more refined.

[Mustangfan2003]

I like it. 

[Colonel Cadillac]

Is it still on that old E-class platform?

[2o6]

Is it still on that old E-class platform?

Chrysler LX cars used the E-class as a design basis, but the Chrysler 300 is not merely an E-class in drag.

[Submariner]

Chrysler LX cars used the E-class as a design basis, but the Chrysler 300 is not merely an E-class in drag.

AFAIK, the LX cars use old Merc 5-speed autos and bit's and pieces off of the W210 suspension, but I don't think the platforms are shared.  I could be wrong, though. 

[the Teuton]

Bigger windows = I'm sold. The gunslit windows trend was retarded.

[MX793]

AFAIK, the LX cars use old Merc 5-speed autos and bit's and pieces off of the W210 suspension, but I don't think the platforms are shared.  I could be wrong, though. 

This is correct.  The LX was already in development before the Mercedes "merger".  The finished product lifted the E-class's rear suspension design and Merc's 5AT and the rest was actually developed from the FWD LH platform.

[the Teuton]

This is correct.  The LX was already in development before the Mercedes "merger".  The finished product lifted the E-class's rear suspension design and Merc's 5AT and the rest was actually developed from the FWD LH platform.

Bob Lutz released his book, "Guts,"  in 1999. He mentions the LX platform in it.

[SVT666]

Bob Lutz released his book, "Guts,"  in 1999. He mentions the LX platform in it.

Which means LX was in development in at least 1998 when the book was written.  That's a long development.  Extremely long.  Especially for Chrysler who has a history of getting cars to market very quickly.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

That looks nice. I'd rock it!

[Payman]

I like the old 300's Ghia inspired front end better, but the rear half looks very Rolls Phantomish. Overall I approve. Can't wait to see the interior.

[the Teuton]

Which means LX was in development in at least 1998 when the book was written.  That's a long development.  Extremely long.  Especially for Chrysler who has a history of getting cars to market very quickly.

He said it was in the pipeline but the funding wasn't where it needed to be. It was put on hiatus. It sorta was put on a longer hiatus after the companies merged.

[giant_mtb]

Damn, that looks good!  Now if only all customers kept them that classy and nice lookin'!

[Mustangfan2003]

German/American/Italian engineering in da house.

[2o6]

Bigger windows = I'm sold. The gunslit windows trend was retarded.

I'm pretty sure this is the old car with a total body facelift.

[Laconian]

Not digging it. It looks too much like an airport Town Car. I don't wish to drive it; I want to be chauffeured in it.

[cawimmer430]

Wimmer prefers this.

[TBR]

It just doesn't look quite right. I can't explain it; it just looks cobbled together to me.

[MX793]

It just doesn't look quite right. I can't explain it; it just looks cobbled together to me.

Yeah, the front end just seems off.  Looks almost like a knock-off of the actual car (like what you'd see in a video game without official brand licensing like Burnout, or at any Chinese auto show).

[cawimmer430]

German/American/Italian engineering in da house.

German = UNRELIABLE
American = UNRELIABLE
Italian = EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE

This can't be good! 

It needs JAPANESE ENGINEERING in it!

[Onslaught]

German =  Overpriced, Ugly and UNRELIABLE
American = UNRELIABLE
Italian = EXTREMELY UNRELIABLE

This can't be good! 

It needs JAPANESE ENGINEERING in it!

[hounddog]

AFAIK, the LX cars use old Merc 5-speed autos

I am not sure that is entirely true.

The transmission behind the 5.7l is the 545RFE was actually a Jeep transmission if I remember correctly.

It is a little anonymous, but everyone complains that the current one is outdated. 

I think Chrysler did a nice job on it, look as someone said, "refined" compared to the old one. 

It actually reminds me a little of the G8.

[thewizard16]

1- We already have a thread for this, it's in Mainstream.
2- I don't care for it, but I like it more than the last one.

[MX793]

I am not sure that is entirely true.

The transmission behind the 5.7l is the 545RFE was actually a Jeep transmission if I remember correctly.

The 545RFE (which is indeed a Chrysler/Jeep transmission) is only used in truck/SUV applications.  The LX cars use a Mercedes-sourced gearbox.

[hounddog]

I'm pretty sure this is the old car with a total body facelift.

Well, duhhhh.

[hounddog]

The 545RFE (which is indeed a Chrysler/Jeep transmission) is only used in truck/SUV applications.  The LX cars use a Mercedes-sourced gearbox.

Huh.  Why on Earth would they do that? 

The ONLY reason I can come up with is maybe for smoother shifting, but from a reliability standpoint the 545rfe makes far more sense.

Oh well, thanks for pointing that out.

[TBR]

Huh.  Why on Earth would they do that?  

The ONLY reason I can come up with is maybe for smoother shifting, but from a reliability standpoint the 545rfe makes far more sense.

Oh well, thanks for pointing that out.

Because of Chrysler's stellar reputation for automatic transmissions?

The Jeep/Chrysler transmission might have been too big for the application.

[MX793]

Huh.  Why on Earth would they do that? 

The ONLY reason I can come up with is maybe for smoother shifting, but from a reliability standpoint the 545rfe makes far more sense.

Oh well, thanks for pointing that out.

I have no idea.  Maybe the RFE is physically to large to easily be packaged in a car chassis?

Further, the 545 actually has 6 forward gear ratios.  With a little tinkering, I'd think Chrysler could easily make it operate like a traditional 6AT.

[hounddog]

Because of Chrysler's stellar reputation for automatic transmissions?

The Jeep/Chrysler transmission might have been too big for the application.

There were two transmission families which had problems.  

Both of them were from issues that were not entirely due to poor design, but also from improper application.