The redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 has hardly cooled from the heat of the lights at this year’s Detroit show, but Chrysler is pushing onward, adding several new models to the 300 lineup at the New York affair. There, we’re being introduced to the fire-breathing 2012 300C SRT8, plus these new 300 S and 300C Executive Series offerings; they join the V-6 300 and the Hemi V-8–equipped 300C and 300C AWD. What it all means: Whether you’re looking for a 300 with big wheels and a bangin’ stereo, one fueled by righteous and furious anger, or one with fine leather and premium wood trim, Chrysler probably has a model for you.
300 S
While the slick design of the 300 should appeal to customers of all ages, we can see where some might view the sedan as being fit for, well, an older crowd. Chrysler has a solution to decisively broaden the appeal with the new 2012 300 S. The S models are stripped of bright chrome and wood, those elements being replaced with body-colored accents on the fascia and mirrors, a black-chrome grille, black headlight surrounds, and polished aluminum wheels with black accents. Inside, the interior can be finished in black or Radar Red leather, with piano black and matte carbon trim replacing the wood. The standard 8.4-inch infotainment display is the control center for a 10-speaker, 522-watt Beats Audio system supposedly developed by Dr. Dre in conjunction with Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M Records.
The 300 S will be offered in several varieties, and it marks the return of the V-6/AWD pairing to the 300, as S customers can opt to have all four wheels powered by either the 292-hp six or the 363-hp Hemi V-8. When ordered with AWD, the S comes with 19-inch wheels and 235/55-19 all-season rubber. Rear-drive S sedans also can be spec’d with either the V-6 or V-8, and either option gets 20-inch rollers. V-6 models will come with the new ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a transmission we expect will be attached to all 2012 V-6 300s. V-8 buyers are stuck with the old five-speed auto for now, but do get the new paddle shifters. The S models will go on sale this fall.
300C Executive Series
Looking to inject some extra lavishness into the 300C, Chrysler has created the Executive Series. Available with rear- or all-wheel drive, the Hemi-only Executive aims to offer the exotic materials of Italian luxury cars, says Chrysler. Beginning with a 300C fitted with most of the trimmings, the car is then treated to either Mochachino or Black Poltrona Frau “Foligno” leather on the instrument panel and cluster brow, center-console side panels, and upper door panels. The seats are stitched with Nappa leather in a two-tone color combo of your choice, and the upscale accouterments are finished off by hand-sanded brown or gray wood that displays its natural pores. On the outside, the chrome trim is replaced with clearly superior “platinum” chrome, and the car gets unique polished 20s. No word yet on pricing, but we expect the top-spec AWD Executive Series to hit at least $50K when it and its rear-drive sibling go on sale at the same time as the S models.
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