The new headlight design is...
The new headlight design is the latest trend with all automotive manufacturers. The projector beam style features adaptive-forward lighting (AFL), high-intensity discharge (HID) projector high and low-beams with automatic headlamp. Adaptive means that it automatically adjusts headlamp direction for improved night time driving visibility. The system can turn the headlamps from straight ahead to seven degrees inboard and 18 degrees outboard on each lamp. The system also incorporates an automatic dynamic leveling system where the headlamp's projector lens automatically aligns itself to the vertical height of the road based on vehicle pitch.
Ok, so I don't really fancy myself as a luxury, touring car kind of guy, but I have to admit, the new 300 definitely makes me think about becoming one. In a press release from Chrysler, "the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 Sedan charts a new course for the brand, combining head-turning design with world-class refinement, craftsmanship, innovation, and performance." If you ask me, that pretty well sums it up. The 2011 300--while a luxury car in my eyes--does not feel that it needs to only attend wine and cheese events, although it would be right at home while there. Nope, the 300 delivers a good balance of performance with its refined features, and is a blast to drive.
If we found anything that we might not order in our own 300, one would be the adaptive cruise control. Adaptive cruise control maintains the vehicle's pre-set speed. But, unlike conventional cruise control, this system automatically adjusts the car's speed so it can maintain a proper distance between vehicles in the same lane. In other words, if the car in front of you slows down, so do you whether you want to or not. Now, the car will speed up again when the area in front of the car is clear, but let me tell you, if someone suddenly darts in front of your car while you're driving at about 70 m.p.h., it slows down in a hurry.
For added detail, a new instrument...
For added detail, a new instrument cluster features two large gauge faces with Sapphire Blue illumination and chrome ring accents (think 1966-67 Charger Electroluminescent).
Inside the 300's interior that we were able to drive, is definitely an upscale environment. Interior upgrades on the all-new 300 consist of soft touch materials, premium interior trim, available heated and ventilated leather seats, and wood appliques on the instrument panel, doors, center console and steering wheel. Bright chrome contrasted with satin chrome accents to give the sedan the appearance of milled aluminum. For added detail, a new instrument cluster features two large gauge faces with Sapphire Blue illumination and chrome ring accents.
The 300C that we drove featured the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI engine delivering 363 horsepower. According to Chrysler, that means a 0-60 mph performance in less than 6 seconds and up to 25 highway mpg. In addition, the engine's Fuel Saver Technology allows for seamless transition between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. When running in four-cylinder fuel saver mode, the engine delivers up to 20 percent improved fuel efficiency, and we noticed it.
Overall, the car was a blast to drive, and even had us thinking about owning one, but like any car, we noticed a few things that we really liked. And other that were not so liked. There were a lot of other features in this car that you really need to see, so all we can say is go check one out.
If we had one issue that really...
If we had one issue that really bothered us, it was the front doors, and more specifically, the driver's side door. With the ignition off, the driver's seat moves itself to the fully rearward position. This is a nice feature for getting in and out of the car, but once you sit down in the seat, reaching the open door is an impossibility.