Next Chrysler 300 gets evolutionary exterior, "huge leap" in interior
When the Chrysler 300 dropped on an unsuspecting public in 2004, it was all crisp edges and upright stance, with a bulldog face to help drive home the message of urgent thrust delivered by a reborn Hemi V8. Chrysler's got a refreshing in the pipeline for the 300, and that's giving designers fits. It's akin to sophomore album syndrome – when the original is a huge hit, how, exactly, do you follow it up? Chrysler designers are invoking the Porsche philosophy used to update its 911 through the generations as a roadmap for the 300's body changes, so don't expect anything too dramatic on the outside.
Inside, however, will be where the real action occurs. While not the worst interior Chrysler puts out, it's certainly got room for improvement. Cerberus chairman Steven Feinburg is reportedly passionate about improving the quality of Chrysler's offerings, and the lower quality materials we have today are being jettisoned in favor of more competitive finery. Whether that means competitive with what's out there right now, or as good as what everyone else will have by the time the new 300 hits the market, we don't know. Equipment levels, too, are an area where Chrysler wants to improve. Look for more technology and features that are better executed in the new 300, which the design staff has hopefully not managed to whack with an ugly stick in the name of "continued distinctiveness," or some other marketing double-speak for "we couldn't do better, so we did weird."
[Source: Wards Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Torrent 6:47PM (5/26/2008)
That's what every car maker has to consider deeply: When they make a hit car, how will the redesign affect sales/attention? Nevertheless, the new 300 I hope is another home run. So does this mean the Charger is getting an overhaul also?
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Flashpoint 9:42PM (5/26/2008)
I own a Chrysler 300 SRT-8 2007.
The interior for all the 300's, even the SRT8 is cheap BUT, I forgive that because it is also easily maintaneable with typical household products and leather cleaner.
I assume the next 300 will have a redesign similar to the Cadillacs, but if you look back, the Cadillacs interior was dated plastic until 2007 when GM had Drexl Meyer (designers of Maybach) head the Cadillac redesign.
I find it interesting though, that the Toyota Avalon (a fairly newer car model) has wood grain strips that make its interior look anything but cheap.
IK47 1:41AM (5/27/2008)
I don't think it's the materials which make Chrysler interiors so bad, but rather the design.
I drove a dodge caliber recently, and kept thinking about things they could have done to make the interior better without adding material cost.
Jrejre 6:57PM (5/26/2008)
I'd think after 5 years anyone who would be offended at a restyling would have already bought one so a redesign could only attract new customers or push people on the fence into buying the previous model year before it's gone.
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Tool 7:00PM (5/26/2008)
I'd like to see the New New Chrysler do a proper re-do along the likes of the Ford Interceptor. That was the most awesome concept car I have seen in the past decade.
The proportions of the current 300 are off. While the front-end is very iconic, the other parts of the car don't look right a lot of times. Looks like it was designed by committee.
Oh, and the interior . . . let's hope they devote more than a half an hour of thinking to it that they apparently did on the current generation.
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SPF 7:05PM (5/26/2008)
I bet they took a 25 mins break during that half an hour.
Mehul 12:46AM (5/28/2008)
Very true about the interior. I sat in a 2007 300C the other day and I felt like my Scion Tc has better quality interiors than 300C.
Cheap plastics, lack of basic amenities like one touch up windows and steering mounted audio controls makes my Scion (which is about $12000 cheaper) look better.
Rafael Illan 7:05PM (5/26/2008)
" or some other marketing double-speak for "we couldn't do better, so we did weird."
The quote of the day i brought you by the letter R as in ROFL!!!!!!
Dan you made my day. What is even funnier(and/or sadder) is that you are talking the truth.
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iCameiSawiConquered 7:05PM (5/26/2008)
Was never a fan of this vehicle...it's just so disproportionate in my eyes...and it turned into the ghetto-pimp-mobile of choice for those that can't afford an Escalade...
I'm saddened they will not be updating the exterior...in my humble opinion it needs drastic plastic surgery.
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EuropaCar 8:51PM (5/26/2008)
ditto
Mr. Oak 10:48AM (5/27/2008)
I so disagree, ever sat inside of one of these? Largest (interior) RWD car on the market that is not a land yacht. Your "ghetto-pimp-mobile" comment is unfortunate.
a). I know a few cats who own both.
b). I see quite a few gray templed middle-aged white men driving these.
c). Lots of people who wanted a full-sized (interior) vehicle and were tired of the "SUV" thing bought these.
There isn't much they could do to "improve" the exterior of this car proportions are perfect for what it is. was never intended to be a sleek sportster.
Just hope they are judicious with the scalpel. On the interior, they neet to gut this car and start over.
Za 7:26PM (5/26/2008)
Without pics, we got nothin'.
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nero 6:55PM (5/27/2008)
chrysler should use the 2002-2010 E-class platform for its next generation 300c
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Frank 8:31AM (5/28/2008)
Why? They didn't use the previous generation E class for the current car, just parts of the rear suspension, steering column, and telematics, all of which Mercedes charged a pretty penny for in royalties, even though it was old (from the last generation). Chrysler will save money doing it themselves and can put that money into the interior.
AngeloD 7:38PM (5/26/2008)
""" or some other marketing double-speak for "we couldn't do better, so we did weird."""
...cough..cough..Scion!..cough...
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Azael 10:11AM (5/27/2008)
Thats one ugly vehicle, too blocky, not enough curves or refinement. I doubt its very aerodynamic when it has the looks and drag coefficient of a brick wall.
But of course, people that buy this car are people without taste and just wanna look tough.
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Brent 10:47AM (5/27/2008)
They want to have a tough looking car. You don't know why people buy certain cars, so don't make generalizations.
Injun Joe 2:57PM (5/27/2008)
You tell 'em, Brent! People by the 300 for the same reasons people by other makes and models of cars. Simply because they like and want them.
People place too much significance to image for the things they drive, wear and own. If you're comfortable with what you have and who you are, then what others think really doesn't matter.
Azrael4h 7:47PM (5/26/2008)
I can actually see why they want to evolve, rather than change, the styling. It worked well for the 911 and Corvette, and the 300, despite a lack of updates, bad Mercedes engineering, and the cheapest interior possible has remained a strong seller. That's in addition to high fuel costs!
I predict it will have a 6 speed DCT, and a range of Phoenix V6's in the next generation, with the styling similar but more aerodynamic. I expect vastly improved fuel economy. Now if they'll only offer the 300 Touring Wagon here as well...
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tom 7:47PM (5/26/2008)
I'd give the car individual round headlights instead of the round /rectangle together shape of the current model. I also think the car would benefit by having the front end and some overall details from the Chrysler Chronos concept.
http://chrysler.thenetlab.net/experience/concept/feature5.html
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