Chrysler to debut 300 Extended Wheelbase at New York Auto Show
For fans of the Chrysler 300 who need a big back seat (for various reasons), Chrysler has just the thing -- the Chrysler 300 Extended Wheelbase. Announced today and to be shown at the New York Auto Show, the stretched version of the popular sedan offers up an additional six inches in length, for 10.2 extra cubic feet of interior space. Sure to make fans among livery companies everywhere, the new Big Daddy LH will be available with Chrysler's 3.5-liter V-6 or the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI.
(More pics and full release after the jump)
New 2007 Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase Will Have Extended Run at the New York International Auto Show, April 14-23
- New Chrysler 300 is six inches longer than current models, providing an additional 10.2 cubic feet of interior space
- Engine options include the 3.5-liter V-6 and the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI®
It will soon take just a bit longer than usual to linger over the Chrysler 300.
Chrysler Group announced today that a new model — the 2007 Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase — will be on display at the New York International Auto Show, in the Jacob K. Javits Center, April 14-23 in New York City. The Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase is six inches longer than the current models, providing more than 46 inches of rear legroom and an additional 10.2 cubic feet of interior space. Available this fall, the lengthier Chrysler 300 is expected to attract sales from the livery/limousine industry, as well as retail customers.
"The 300 Long Wheelbase will have six inches more of the elegant, distinct design that made the Chrysler 300 the most-awarded new car in automotive history," said David Rooney, Director —Chrysler Marketing Communications. "In addition, limousine-like features have been added and custom options are available. The result is a truly distinctive and personalized experience for commercial and retail customers, all for what will be an affordable price."
Both the 300 Touring and 300C Long Wheelbase models can be ordered with unique, personalized features, including lighted rear writing tables, two 12-volt power ports for computers/cell phones, footrests, lighted vanity mirrors and directional reading lights for rear passengers, and available custom paint colors or pinstriping.
The Chrysler 300 Touring Long Wheelbase model will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, providing 250 hp, more than some domestic V-8 competitors. The 300C Long Wheelbase will have the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI® engine, generating 340 hp, and the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which seamlessly reduces the number of cylinders from eight to four when less power is required, improving fuel economy.
The 300 Long Wheelbase will be modified by Accubuilt, a leading custom specialty vehicle manufacturer with more than 128 years of experience, based in Lima, Ohio, and will be sold through Chrysler dealerships.
Pricing and production information will be provided closer to launch this fall.
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JoeStalin 7:27AM (3/28/2006)
Now if I could get a motorized partition...um, yeah that would be great.
Reply
Gardiner Westbound 7:56AM (3/28/2006)
Chrysler deserves credit for responding to the market. You would think the longer 300C could be better and more cheaply manufactured on a Chrysler assembly line than a custom coach builder.
Now if only Chrysler could get its quality and customer relations up to acceptable levels.
Reply
Puff Chippy 9:05AM (3/28/2006)
Looks to be a great idea, I'm sure they'll sell well. Oh, and Chryslers long term dependability ratings are above industry average so I doubt that would deter anyone who wanted a big vehicle like this.
Reply
DJ 9:18AM (3/28/2006)
So where's the faux sailcloth vinyl type convertible looking roof option???
Actually, they should do very well with this in the "livery" market with limo companies like Carey and others. The 300C already undercuts the Lincoln Town Car and Cadillac DTS by $8000 - $10000. Figure this extension will run $3000 - $4000 extra and it's still a deal. Plus, the 300C has a 40HP advantage over the other two.
Reply
Michael Karesh 9:37AM (3/28/2006)
Great idea, but the way they're going about is bound to make it too expensive to sell in volume. A wheelbase stretch like this should be doable for $1,000-1,500. My guess is that by farming the work out--do the original rear doors, headliner, carpet etc. simply get tossed?--will result in a much higher price.
Reply
DJ 10:13AM (3/28/2006)
#5-"My guess is that by farming the work out--do the original rear doors, headliner, carpet etc. simply get tossed?--will result in a much higher price."
Usually, cars destined for custom coach work arrive at the customizer without those items. Most of those parts come from third party suppliers to begin with and the customizer will contract with them for retrofitted pieces. As a result, the cost difference for the individual parts is not much more than the original. The real cost is in the labor to slice the car in half, insert the extension and weld it back together.
Reply
Noah 11:05AM (3/28/2006)
I think this is very exciting, I look forward to seeing more 300 town cars around town.
--Noah
Reply
j-dawg 11:22AM (3/28/2006)
To the person who was referringto the Town Car and the DTS: The cars you mention are in a completely different category. The Town Car and DTS are full-blown luxury cars. The 300 is an entry-level family sedan. that was the purpose of the Imperial--to fill the hole in the LX's family, the "luxury" model.
Although the Charger is making headway in the police market, the taxi market has its Crown Victoria P72 with a six-inch stretched platform,basically the same thing asthis. The Crown Vic serves taxi companies well, though, and I doubt if they will bite at the LX platform. Still, it should be good for private civilian customers needing more space.
Reply
Chrysler 300C 11:32AM (3/28/2006)
The 300C platform has worked out really well for Chrysler. I think the new look is great!
Anyone interested in the Chrysler 300C should check out http://www.300cforums.com
Reply
RossL 11:52AM (3/28/2006)
> The 300C platform has worked out really well for Chrysler. I think the new look is great!
Sigh. I understand why DCX hires people to write those ridiculous posts (yesterday we were subjected to a similar advert for the Caliber). But c'mon - how lame can you get? DCX obviously thinks that Autoblog readers are complete sheep.
Reply
Steve B. 12:04PM (3/28/2006)
"The Town Car and DTS are full-blown luxury cars. The 300 is an entry-level family sedan. that was the purpose of the Imperial--to fill the hole in the LX's family, the "luxury" model."
The Town Car and DTS are low-end luxury cars. There are no American high end luxury cars, save perhaps for the Ford-owned Jaguar XJ. The DTS is competitive to some extent, but the Town Car simply does not have the refinement or pedigree to hold its own against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-class or the BMW 7-series.
The Chrysler 300 is not an entry level family sedan either. The Chrysler Sebring fills that niche. It ranges from the slightly upmarket 300Cs to squarely midmarket in lesser trims.
Reply
KT 12:52PM (3/28/2006)
If you are in the market for a 300C now is the time to buy. Dealers are begging to give them away. Seems that everyone who wanted a Hemi has already bought one. The only 300's selling are the V6's.
Parachute Pants.....
Reply
Gary 8:48PM (3/28/2006)
[sigh] I was hoping this would be a regular production model, maybe $2-3000 more than the regular 300. The one complaint I have about My 300C is it's just slightly too small for My needs. I would have traded up to a larger model, but obviously won't be able to afford this thing.
Reply
Alexis 2:20AM (3/29/2006)
Thanks Erin, this news about the 300C was very interesting.
At the begining of the year Chrysler said they will launch 10 new models this year.
I have searched but I have found 10 but I am not sure for a few of them.
Here's the one I see :
Dodge Caliber, Dodge Sprinter, Dodge Nitro
Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler Sebring (not sure?), Chrysler Pacifica restyled (not sure?), Chrysler 300C Long
Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot (not sure?), Jeep Wrangler
So if anyone could help I would appreciated a lot!
Thanks guys
Reply
John 6:08PM (3/30/2006)
Too bad it's a Chrysler.
Reply
c LUCAS 2:06PM (4/18/2006)
MY 300 T IS ALWAYS PULLING TO RIGHT, AFTER TAKEING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM I DARE ANY OWNING A CHYSYLER 300 TO LET THE STERING WHEEL GO AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN
Reply