Spy Shots: 2008/09 Chrysler 300
by John Neff on Dec 27th 2006 at 5:25PM 
Our bros over at LeftLaneNews procured a set of spy shots showing the 2008 (or possibly 2009) Chrysler 300, and while they claim that there has been a change to the front end, at least the addition of new headlights, we just don't see it. The headlights on this vehicle look identical to the beams on the 2007 model. Regardless, through the camo on the rear we can definitely see taillights that are different than the current model's. Changes to the exterior, however, will pale in comparison to the interior's transformation. LLN quotes Ralph Gilles, VP of Design at the Chrysler Group, who said back in May, "we need an update [...] you're going to see a significant improvement in the interior of that car." Bring it, Ralph! Unfortunately non of these spy shots offers any glimpses of the interior, and we're unlikely to see the changes at the Detroit Auto Show in a few weeks.Check out more pics by clicking on the Read link and follow the jump to see front and rear shots of the current model for comparison.
[Source: LLN]
2007 Chrysler 300
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CJ 5:39PM (12/27/2006)
Really? You dont see the headlight change? It subtle... but just enough to make a nice design... well, less nice. Why bother?
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Johnny 5:40PM (12/27/2006)
looks exactly the same to me.
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Adam T 6:10PM (12/27/2006)
Would someone PLEASE tell Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep designers that there is, believe it or not, more than one way to design a taillight? There's nothing new about those.
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Jeff 8:00PM (12/27/2006)
that really creeps me out.... just about three hours ago, i saw a 300 on the street and started thinking about all the talk about the new lincoln... Ford fans like myself said the 300 was too in your face and it would grow tired quickly, while the Ford 500 was a more toned down car that could stay simple but good looking for years... Peter Horbury had some quote along the lines of "Come into a room playing a trumpet, and everyone will listen to you, but their ears will hurt pretty soon." And then he goes out and gives us something like the MKR concept, which is definitely a trumpet and not uhhh... a soft spoken clarinet... or something....
Anyway, i was thinking, yeah, Ford put out the 500 and won't have to update it very soon, cause people won't get tired of it (of course they went a little too far in that direction, people didn't get tired of it, cause they hardly noticed it in the first place). But now I'm thinking that maybe the key is to put out brash, in your face designs, but just keep updating them frequently enough, provided that doesn't cost too much. So that got me thinking that, if that's the case, Chrysler should probably update the 300 pretty soon, as people have definitely gotten tired of that design.
Not to say it was a bad design though, i think its an awesome car, just needs to be freshened. Ralph Gilles is from Montréal, represent!
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tommcg 8:20PM (12/27/2006)
the article says "the car's headlights are unchanged" ... so that's what's up.
let me be the first to moan about the trunk-lid brake light ... wah wah wah ... seriously, what an unwelcome addition. i can't imagine it not taking away from the chrysler emblem.
no hood stripes like the new pacifica & sebring ... yay =) either that's not the new front end or chrysler got the message that they're ridiculous. imagine the dirt building up in those.
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John 6:32PM (12/27/2006)
The tail lights pictured are already on the 300C.
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Craig N. Cote 8:28PM (12/28/2006)
Spare me, another waste of time from Chrysler-or is it Daimler/Benz (they never make this clear at the dealerships). Just a few questions. Will it sit on a German platform? Will it be loaded with Mitsubishi parts? Will it be made in Mexico? And finally, if the answer to any of these questions is yes, will Chrysler make this clear to any potential customer who presumes they are buying "American"? Oh yes, one more question. Will it have a terrible resale value compared to a Honda or Toyota?
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Nill 6:57PM (1/22/2007)
I seriously wonder how many of the people responding are even clicking on the link to the spy pics.
Unless you missed it, the two pictures above are of the current 2007 model.
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Milos 7:25PM (12/27/2006)
in europe we are getting 300c with little different headlights
http://www.auto.co.yu/img/download/Chrysler-300C.jpg
I think they are far nicer than the set of headlights on these pics
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Lime 9:21PM (12/28/2006)
Craig N. Cote , you stupid!!!!!
300C doesnt sit on german platform
300C has no Mitsubishi parts and NO it's not made in Mexico!!!!!
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Graham 8:35PM (12/27/2006)
For the confused, the 300 and 300C have always had different headlights and taillights. The test mule has the plain old 300 headlights, and seems to have the 300C taillights, or at least very similar.
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ramsport47 9:45PM (12/27/2006)
#5...again someone without knowledge putting in his/her 1/2 cent opinion. The 300/Magnum/Charger are made in Canada (technically America) and the platform, although dervied from a German sedan is actually used only on the triplets noted above. Also, have you looked at a used 300??? They're holding their value REALLY well. Now...go suck on your Hondota's tailpipe
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sam 3:32PM (12/28/2006)
It looks like the taillights are more horizontal behind the camo, and I think the chop is awful. Th taillights have three white streaks in them. Personally, i like the distinction between the 300 and 300C. If you want to make them look the same, put 300C headlights on the 300, not the other way around.
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John 9:58PM (12/27/2006)
About the rear, I'm wondering if the real (I mean really big) change is in what seems to be a longer trunk. The rear does indeed seem to be about 6 inches longer than in the current model. To me, this would be a good thing, as the current model always seemed a bit unbalanced in profile. The longer trunk would also aid in the overall utility of the vehicle as a livery car. Furthermore, the long wheelbase vehicle due to come out, would look much better balanced with a longer trunk.
Or, I could simply be imaging a longer trunk that really does not exist. Not sure ...
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Daniel Stettner 10:31PM (12/27/2006)
you guys are clueless -_- ... the two pictures shown are the pictures of the current chrysler 300... the headlights in that picture haven't changed a bit.. but they shant have.. these pictures aren't spy shots.. and the reason you think they look different is because they're the headlights from a 300..not a 300c.. a 300 doens't have the circly things in the headlights.. 300c doeheadlights aren't any different from a european 300 than from an american 300s.
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Andy 11:58PM (12/27/2006)
Man, I hope this facelift is more than the one Infiniti did with the G35 and Mini did with the Cooper. The press gets us all excited for...nothing. Perhaps Chrysler could do something like the classic '50s C-300.
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Wyce 1:07AM (12/28/2006)
The G35 and the Mini aren't facelifts. Sure, they look the same as the previous versions, but they're definitely not facelifts.
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Graham 1:00AM (12/28/2006)
#12, the beige car is the current model, 2007. The black car is the test mule, with camoflague over the rear.
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Jim Gilliland 1:58AM (12/28/2006)
Mr.Cote, if you want to be informed, go to Acura.com and do a comparison between an Acura RL and a Chrysler 300C.
I think you will find the the 300C has an equal projected resale value after 36 months (47%) and a better resale after 60 months (32% vs 29%).
It's always best to try to get your facts right before you have pie on your face.
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Jim Gilliland 12:27AM (12/29/2006)
Mr.Cote, if you want to be informed, go to Acura.com and do a comparison between an Acura RL and a Chrysler 300C.
I think you will find the the 300C has an equal projected resale value after 36 months (47%) and a better resale after 60 months (32% vs 29%).
It's always best to try to get your facts right before you have pie on your face.
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