Autoblog

Chrysler 300 Glacier edition ready to chill with AWD

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST

It seems that word is finally out on the redone Chrysler 300, as evidenced by the fact that the model's sales almost doubled last year compared to 2011 (when the distinctive sedan was a little slow out of the gates). One thing that's likely helping the car is a growing number of unique models like the 300S, 300 SRT8 and the new 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition, and now one more trim has joined the lineup. Initially announced back in September, the 300 Glacier is on sale now with a starting price of $36,845 (*not including a $995 destination charge).

Designed with cold-weather climates in mind, the 300 Glacier is only available with all-wheel drive. Chrysler says the Glacier will run an additional $1,500 over the 300S AWD off which this car is based, but that extra money gets unique 19-inch aluminum wheels, an exclusive Glacier Blue Pearl Coat paint job and special interior treatments including piano black accents and fancier leather seats and stitching. Like the 300S, power from the Pentastar V6 has been bumped up to an even 300 horsepower (up from 292 hp) with the aid of a cold-air induction and freer-breathing exhaust. Naturally, the 363-hp Hemi V8 is still available, too.

For more information, scroll down to check out Chrysler's official press release.

Continue reading Chrysler 300 Glacier edition ready to chill with AWD

Chrysler 300 Glacier edition ready to chill with AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Chrysler 300C Motown Edition spot features music mogul Berry Gordy Jr.

George Kennedy — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:14:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Design/Style

We're not sure if you heard, but Chrysler likes to celebrate the fact that it's from Detroit. You know, with the whole "Imported from Detroit" campaign featuring Eminem? It seems brand synergy may have reached its peak in the form of the Chrysler 300 Motown. According to Chrysler, this special edition sedan sedan "pays tribute to the Motor City's resurgence and determination through Detroit-born style and world class ingenuity." In real terms, that means extra chrome bits here and there, including a chrome grill and 20-inch polished "heritage" style aluminum wheels, all accented with black Chrysler and "Motown" badges.

Inside, the 300 Motown gets unique Pearl White Nappa leather seating, while the rest of the interior fittings are black. In a nice nod, the Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system's SD card reader has been pre-loaded with 100 tracks from original Motown artists. That collection of music pumps though the 10-speaker Beats Audio system, complete with 12-channel amplifier. The 2013 Chrysler 300 Motown is set to arrive this spring, with an MSRP of $32,995, which does not include a $995 destination charge.

This special edition is no random celebration of Detroit's music, as "Motown: The Musical" is arriving to the Lunt Fontanne Theater in New York City today. To that end, Chrysler has a new television spot, featuring Berry Gordy Jr., founder of Motown Records. Check out the video and learn more about the new 300 Motown by scrolling below.

Continue reading New Chrysler 300C Motown Edition spot features music mogul Berry Gordy Jr.

New Chrysler 300C Motown Edition spot features music mogul Berry Gordy Jr. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler to challenge locals with less-costly 300 SRT8 in Australia

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chrysler, Australia

Chrysler Australia is preparing to launch a new, slightly de-contented version of its 300 SRT8 performance sedan for the Australian market. The planned SRT8 model comes in response to feedback from Aussie buyers, many of whom have expressed interest in a car with the 300 SRT8's performance, but without all of the high-end features and the big sticker price.

The Chrysler 300 STR8 currently sells for around $66,000 Australian; the intended price for the new, stripped down version of the car is reported to be under $60k Australian. That would make the car an even stronger competitor for rear-drive, V8 powerhouses like the HSV Clubsport, which was recently reintroduced at $64,990 AU.

Russ Ruedisueli of Chrysler Australia tells the Brisbane Times that the lower-spec 300 will do away with things like adjustable suspension, adaptive cruise control and forged alloy wheels, while still offering the massively strong 6.4-liter Hemi V8. In fact, this "core" model SRT8 figures to be a bit quicker than the loaded version, thanks to a lighter curb weight.

SRT's Ralph Gilles has indicated that the core 300 SRT8 is being produced now, indicating that the models should be ready for Australian consumption by the middle part of 2013.

Chrysler to challenge locals with less-costly 300 SRT8 in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler readying 200 8 Mile, 300 Motown special edition models [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities

It's been a couple of years since Chrysler first kicked off its popular "Imported from Detroit" tagline, but the automaker's hometown rally cry is about to make the move from advertising to special-edition models. According to The Detroit News, Chrysler will introduce the Chrysler 300 Motown and Chrysler 200 8 Mile special editions confirming our previous report, and these new models are only two of 66 new models expected out by 2014 that Chrysler previewed to its dealers recently.

The article states that the new 200 package will mark 10 years since Eminem's 8 Mile movie first hit the big screen, and while there are sure to be many jokes about a special-edition car named after the city's historic yet poverty-lined road, it is one of many "buzz packages" that Chrysler hopes will continue its upward sales trend. With filming already complete for the 300 Motown commercial, it is likely that this will be the next buzz car we will see from Chrysler, as it will coincide with the new Broadway show called Motown: The Musical opening next spring. The 300C John Varvatos and 300 Glacier are new additions for Chrysler as well and special edition packages are also planned for the Ram 1500 and Dodge Dart.

Scroll down to see Chrysler's original "Imported from Detroit" ad with Eminem's Lose Yourself which received plenty of buzz when it aired during Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

Continue reading Chrysler readying 200 8 Mile, 300 Motown special edition models [w/video]

Chrysler readying 200 8 Mile, 300 Motown special edition models [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler and fashion designer John Varvatos team up for special edition 300 sedans

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, Design/Style, Luxury

Chrysler and John Varvatos, two award-winning entities with strong ties to the city of Detroit, have teamed up to create a pair of bespoke luxury sedans that showcase what can happen when the automotive world meets the fashion industry. The 2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition and Luxury Edition will both bring a new level of exclusivity to this stylish, full-size sedan.

Varvatos' self-named menswear fashion brand, John Varvatos, has a raw industrial look, but the designer is also heavily infused with the rock 'n' roll scene from his early interest in fashion to his involvement with the VH1 Save the Music Foundation where he is a board member. This mix of industry and rock 'n' roll can easily be seen in the new 300C models.

Each car will get a slightly different look and feel with the 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition coming in an exclusive Phantom Black tri-coat paint job as the basis of the car's dark and sinister appearance. All of the 300's regular bright chrome trim has been replaced by dark titanium accents (on the grille surround, daylight opening trim and the dual exhaust outlets) or black chrome on the front grille. Dark 20-inch, multi-spoke wheels and smoked LED taillight lenses finish off the eye-catching styling, and even Chrysler's signature wing badge has been darkened to match the rest of the exterior. The 300C Luxury Edition gets slightly different look with a platinum chrome mesh grille and polished wheels.

The 300C's fashion makeover gets even more intense inside. Looking like it came right off a John Varvatos runway, the Limited Edition gets features like the pewter metallic leather seats with exclusive Diesel Gray and black stitching to match one of Varvatos' leather jackets. Also, the instrument panel clock and gauge cluster has been redesigned to match the brand's watch design including what should be a stunning pearlescent white face with black bezels. The Luxury Edition's cabin steps things up even more with two color options for the Nappa leather seats and hand-sanded, matte-finished Natural Pore Mocha real wood accents. Both cars come with Chrylser's 8.4-inch UConnect system with a distinct "John Varvatos" screen display.

Chrysler has yet to announce the pricing or availability for either of these models, but it did say that the Limited Edition would in fact be produced in limited numbers.

Despite carrying the 300C name, the Limited Edition and Luxury Edition versions of this car will be available with both V6 and V8 engines as well as optional all-wheel drive. Up until this car, the 300C nameplate was used solely to distinguish cars equipped with the Hemi V8. Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Chrysler and fashion designer John Varvatos team up for special edition 300 sedans

Chrysler and fashion designer John Varvatos team up for special edition 300 sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments