Autoblog

Click either image for a gallery of the Chrysler 300C Rodeo Drive Plus 6.

Performance West has rolled out a stretched wheelbase blinged-out 300C with an appropriately protracted name. The W.P. Chrysler Executive Series 300C Rodeo Drive Plus 6 by Performance West pulls together the work and merchandise of several vendors to create a six-inch longer 300C for those executives who find the standard choices too boring. Nobody will be able to ignore the chrome spear down the flanks, and if they do just crank up the stereo. Mechanicals are upgraded with a Corsa cat-back exhaust and a Flex Fuel Smart system adds E85 capability to the Hemi. Coil-overs and thicker swaybars tighten up proceedings underneath, and SSBC's upgraded brakes hide behind 22-inch Sporza wheels. Inside, the seats have been retrimmed in custom leather, there's an audio system to rattle your molars and an integrated computer and communications rig, too. Look up, there's a Glassback installation by Classic Design Concepts, look down, you'll find a Hurst shifter sticking purposefully out of the console. It looks like it'd be a whole lot more fun to shuffle papers around in the rear compartment of the Plus 6 than, say, a Maybach. The whole shebang will be available for an as yet unannounced price at dealers.

Thanks for the tip, David!

[Source: Allpar]

The almost-independent Chrysler has decided to consolidate production of the next-generation 300 at its Brampton, Ontario plant. 30,000 units for European consumption were slated to be built in Austria, but the merciful cancellation of the Imperial has left room for the right-hand-drivers at the Canadian plant. The ability to place a steering wheel on the right side will cost the folks from Auburn Hills a cool $500 million, on top of the $700 million already earmarked for the Brampton retooling. The high price of the Euro also factored into the decision to move 300 production to Canada.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

Chrysler may be in the middle of a major ownership change, but the beat goes on when it comes to future vehicle plans. The folks over at The Star are reporting that Chrysler is going to build a fifth model at their Brampton plant in Ontario, which currently assembles the 300, Charger, and Magnum. Challenger production is scheduled for next year, and the fifth vehicle, which could be built in 09' as a 2010 model, is expected to be the Imperial.

Chrysler is reportedly investing $700 million in the Brampton plant to bring the Imperial to life, and the Rolls-Royce and Bentley wannabe is expected to ride on an extended version of Chrysler's LX platform. The Imperial, which sported a 6.1L Hemi V8 as a concept, could also receive a diesel engine. Chrysler has yet to make an announcement on an additional vehicle at Brampton, but word is it that Chrysler Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Frank Ewasyshn is expected to do so June 11.

We aren't sold on the chunky, blocky, copycat looks of the Imperial, but Chrysler apparently thinks enough Americans will want the beast that they've all but pulled the trigger on making it all official

[Source: TheStar]

Well, Glassback has a better ring than "big ol' moonroof". Either way, Classic Design Concepts of Novi, MI came up with a slick way to augment the light coming through the 300's gun-slit sideglass. CDC's SEMA-award winning mod installs a piece of metallized glass where once there was only metal. Harking back to the '58 Eldorado, a stainless overlay covers the little bit of roof left. Rounding out the change from 300 to Glassback is CDC's Stainless Effects body kit. There's a new chin spoiler, rockers, a bit for the decklid that proudly announces Glassback, as well as other bits of brightwork.

Beyond style, there are a couple of real-world benefits to the glass roof. First, the Vanceva® glass panel attenuates noise in the 1000-6000Hz range by up to six decibels. That's a lot, as dBs are a logarithmic measure, so six dB is twice as quiet as a standard as a metal roof. That 1-6K frequency range just happens to be where a lot of voice action occurs, so conversations inside your Glassback will be easier. The glass is also excellent at blocking out UV and Infrared radiation, due to it's metallic layers. You'll have nearly the same experience as a convertible, without the noise, or the sunburn on your melon. You may have to rumble up the exhaust a bit to get through that noise attenuation, but that's nothing a couple Flowmasters can't handle.

Thanks for the tip, Jason!

[Source: CDC]

While the rest of us dream about things like that long-since-departed puppy we had as a child or Angelina Jolie in somethin' skimpy, classic car collectors dream of the barn find: a forgotten classic automobile sitting in a barn somewhere for decades, just waiting to be discovered. For some lucky collector, that dream will come true with this unrestored 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" coupe.

The Gullwing remains one of the most venerated of classic automobiles. It wasn't much of a performer, but the styling set it apart from anything and everything else on the road. It also had the first gasoline engine with fuel injection.

This example, with a white finish and red leather interior, was recently found in a barn where it sat in storage, undriven, for the past 30 years. It's only had one owner since 1969, and while it looks pretty beat up, that just means it's ripe for a full restoration. The car is for sale, price upon request, from Aston Martin of New England. Good examples can easily sell for $400,000, so you can bet somebody's going to snatch this one up and give it the TLC it deserves.

[Source: Aston Martin of New England & Lotus Motorsports, inc. via German Car Scene]

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]

Few would argue that Chrysler's 300 has quickly proven to be a transcendental product. With apologies to Henry David Thoreau, the Ralph Gilles penned LX-platform sedan has been one of a handful of recent vehicles whose appeal quickly transcended demographic pigeonholing (Toyota's Prius and the MINI Cooper are two others that come immediately to mind). Prospective owners are seemingly as likely to trade in something like a Ford Taurus as they are a Cadillac CTS.

This widespread appeal has served DaimlerChrysler well, but buyers accustomed to higher-end marques have been notably let down in one area: the 300's interior. While the design of the instrument panel and certain detailing is generally up to snuff, some interior plastics and switchgear has conspired to underwhelm, particularly in higher trim levels where the 300's attractive base MSRP climbs well into the $30's.

When addressing the Automotive Press Association in a recent meeting, Gilles indicates the company is aware of the problem, and is working on a "significant improvement." While Gilles apparently failed to include the Dodge Magnum and Charger models with which the 300 shares its platform, it would be reasonable to expect the majority of the proposed upgrades to be fitted platform-wide. The only question now is... when?

[Sources: Calgary Herald; DaimlerChrysler]

DaimlerChrysler's popular LX-platform vehicles, the 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger are being recalled over brake issues. The automaker announced Friday that it will be sending notices to some 45,000 owners about a possible brake fluid leak that has resulted in at least nine engine fires. Vehicles affected are all 2006 models using the 2.7-liter V6 engine.

In addition, DCX also announced that it is recalling almost 7,000 six-speed Jeep Wranglers due to clutch problems. According to the automaker, the hydraulic clutch's master cylinder rod can fracture, inhibiting normal  shifting.

[Source: Associated Press via Los Angeles Times]

Ralph Gilles, best known for penning the blockbuster 300 sedan, is getting a new office and ordering new business cards. Effective April 1, the designer will be kicked upstairs, promoted to the role of Vice President – Jeep/Truck and Component Design for the Chrysler Group. Gilles, who had been serving as director of the truck studio since last year, will be replacing a retiring Ricardo Aneiros.

Gilles has been with the company since 1992.

[Source: DCX via PRNewswire.com]

 

According to Edmunds Inside Line, DaimlerChrysler appears to be readying suppliers for production of the love/hate Imperial that debuted at the 2006 NAIAS in January. Perhaps the most interesting news is that DCX isn't only thinking about the possibility of utilizing a derivation of the LX/LY platform (which underpins the 300, Magnum, and Charger)--it's mulling dropping it on the chassis of the next-gen Mercedes-Benz R-Class crossover for 2010.

The current (and initial) iteration of the slow-selling R-Class is 203 inches in length--close to that of the Imperial concept's 214-inch elephantine span, and the present iteration has already proven its flexibility, accommodating a range of engines, transmissions and driveline configurations.