Chrysler unveils diesel 300C SRT! (in Europe, natch)
Click above for more images of the Chrysler 300C SRT diesel
When we heard word of a diesel-powered Chrysler 300C SRT, visions of overdosing our right foot on torque were instantly conjured. While the Pentastar has unveiled such a car in Europe, it's not exactly what you think. Basically a trim package for the 300C in Europe, the SRT model gets visual enhancements to its buttocks including new rear taillight clusters and a deck lid spoiler, but the car still uses the same 3.0L V6 diesel producing 218 bhp and 376 pound feet of torque you can get in other models. As Top Gear put it, "we were hoping for something a bit meatier". While the wheels appear to be the same butch 10-spokers as our own 300C SRT8, the front fascia lacks the deeper chin spoiler and the grille is Chrysler's Euro-spec Bentley-like tight mesh. One Autoblogger described the diesel 300C SRT as Chrysler of Europe's version of an Impala SS, i.e. long on looks but a bit toothless. For Europeans who prefer the American machismo only the 300C can provide, however, the SRT version delivers.
Gallery: Chrysler 300C SRT diesel
[Source: Top Gear]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
monobox 2:22AM (2/22/2008)
Why don't they sell it in the US too since that Mercedes 3.0 V-6 engine meets US emission standards? Also now that Chrysler is no longer owned by Daimler-Benz, I wonder how much longer they will be able to get Mercedes engines and what will happen to the Dodge Sprinter in the US.
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Mattias 12:22PM (2/21/2008)
For the Sprinter they will probably go with a similar agreement as with VW, so the Dodge Sprinter will be continued as long as it is financially viable.
Regarding the engines Chrysler will continue to use Mercedes Benz engines, but they already stated that they will cut down the number diesel engine suppliers to two. Volkswagens engines in the Caliber and Sebring will be faded out (probably with the first major facelift of these cars). The are most likely to be replaced by the VM 420 series. The VM 630 might replace the relative expensive Daimler V6 diesel in the US bound Jeeps. For austrian made 300Cs it might make no sense to replace the Daimler diesel any time soon. It is more likely that they cancel the euro model completely.
blogged to death 12:01PM (2/21/2008)
Wow...that's nice. Now only if the car was easy to see out of or could fit on their much smaller roads or easily navigate the crowded small city streets.
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Val 3:16PM (2/21/2008)
Regarding the size, this car is not larger than an A8 or S-class, and you see a lot of these everywhere in germany. The comment about the small streets is really getting old, you do realize that, with some very small exceptions, people still live in the oldest parts of the cities, and they still have garbage trucks go by their house and collect the garbage, you have buses running all over the place, even on some quite narrow streets. A normal sight where i live is two articulated buses (mercedes-benz citaro or the similar MANs) passing by each other, and on some narrow places one of them will see the other in the distance and wait for it in its bus stop. But these are buses and garbage trucks, no way a 300C will have problems going about in 95% of the area of most cities in europe.
why not the LS2/LS7? 12:08PM (2/21/2008)
Wow, now even Brits think 200HP in a car isn't enough. Even when it isn't supposed to be the range topper. 8 years ago the Audi A6 (a rather large car) was only available with up to 200HP (2.8L NA engine).
It's no wonder oil is $100 a barrel.
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nagmashot 12:44PM (2/21/2008)
8 years ago the Audi A6 was the C5 platfrom... the most powerfull version on the C5 platfrom was 480hp...
The engine ranged from 1.8T to 4.2l V8
A6 300hp, S6 340hp, RS6 450hp, RS6 plus 480hp.
why not the LS2/LS7? 4:01PM (2/21/2008)
Sorry, 8.5 years ago (before fall 1999).
I got one of the 2.7Ts right when it became available. The A6 on that platform was available for a year and a half with only the 2.8 fronttrak and 2.8 quattro options.
Gardiner Westbound 12:26PM (2/21/2008)
don't know if Americans have gotten over their GM-inspired mad about diesels, but Canadians would buy these by the truckload.
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zamafir 12:40PM (2/21/2008)
I'm American. I've been buying Diesel cars for the last five years. O_o
rar 12:59PM (2/21/2008)
How much better is the mpg? How much more would the diesel option cost? With diesel costing about 40cents more a gallon would this be cost effective? I guess if you put a lot of miles on your car or plan on keeping in 7+ years it might work out.
NarutoRamen 1:06PM (2/21/2008)
American here as well, I would love to buy a diesel, but since I'm in Cali, there is no way that I can buy a new car that's diesel. =(
Bryan 4:53PM (2/21/2008)
I'm American and I would absolutely love a diesel option that isn't a VW. This is a cool car, but pretty underpowered
Nathan 12:57PM (2/21/2008)
This is inaccurate. The 300C you're looking at is a SRT Design not a real SRT. They make the same car for the US. It basically is an appearance package without the engine.
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nagmashot 1:36PM (2/21/2008)
the German numbers manufactor claims
300C CRD (diesel)
average city/highway mix 29mpg
topspeed 143mph
0-62mph 8.6s (underrated in some tests they reach 7.8s)
39,890Euro
oilchange each 20,000km (12500miles)
service each 40,000km (25,000miles)
300C Hemi
average city/highway mix 19mpg
topspeed 155mph
0-62mph 6.8s
53,590Euro
oilchange each 12,000km (7,500miles)
service each 24,000km (15,000miles)
300C SRT8
average city/highway mix 16mpg
topspeed 165mph
0-62mph 5.3s
61,290Euro
oilchange each 12,000km (7,500miles)
service each 24,000km (15,000miles)
The 300C is the most popular foreign car in the large car class in Germany.
In public traffic there is no huge different between a 300C CRD and a 300C Hemi... the diesel isn´t so much slower that the Hemi could drive out of sight.. driving long distance and the diesel is the faster car.. much longer range..less stops at the gas station..
Nice side effect the diesel is the most CO2 friendly version of the 300C.
Gregg 1:30PM (2/21/2008)
218 bhp and 376 whopping pound feet of torque should move that thing around nicely, not to mention the 30+ mpg.
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rar 1:54PM (2/21/2008)
Nagmashot, if the diesel is cheeper than the Hemi, they should bring it to the states. Do you know if it comes with the same 5 speed auto as in the states? Or is it a manual only?
nagmashot 1:37PM (2/21/2008)
this should be a reply to rar... :(
nagmashot 8:30PM (2/21/2008)
@rar
the 300C is only avaible with a 5speed automatic based on the old Mercedes E-Class automatic, I guess that is the same as used in the USA.
Robert Ryan 2:13PM (2/21/2008)
The diesel 300C is sold in Australia and it has a higher towing capacity than the Hemi.
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HC 2:33PM (2/21/2008)
Surprised they did not offer the brabus diesel upgrade tuning for this engine. It is listed at 200 kW / 272 PS and 590 Nm adding + 35 kW / 48 PS + 80 Nm. In the E-class, it lists 0-60 in 6.5s and a top speed of 250kph.
Sounds like fun.
specs @ brabus dot com.