Detroit Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Chrysler 300C

Chrysler's facelifted 300C, which has made its public debut at the Detroit motor show today, is set to heavily influence the future styling of its future models as part of a serious "comeback onto the automotive stage".

Chrysler and Lancia boss Olivier Francois is keen for the US brand to thrive under Fiat ownership and the 300C would play a central role in this.

The chunky four-door gets a mild restyle that includes a liberal dab of chrome around its front end - including the tops of the side mirrors, unusually - and LED daytime running lights. Chrysler's senior vice president of design Ralph Gilles told Autocar the 300C's grille will form the basis of the firm's new corporate look.

The car's overall profile does change slightly, though; its A-pillars are more rakish and thinner, improving visibility. There's also a double-length sunroof, designed to make the cabin feel more airy.

Chrysler is also promising refinements to the interior, including a larger touchscreen (8.4in), a finer grade of leather seats, soft-touch dashboard materials and a revised infotainment package.

The company will introduce its latest 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine to the model, which developes 288bhp and 260lbft of torque. Also available will be the 5.7-litre, V8 HEMI unit with 358bhp and a 0-60mph time of under six seconds.

The 300C will be one of the Chrysler models to remain in Fiat Group's revised UK line-up for the brand - although the British spec of the car is likely to do without some of the chrome flourishes and stick to diesel power instead of adopting the US car's V6 and V8 petrol powerplants.

Chrysler confirmed late last week that the 300C will be joined by the Grand Voyager and rebadged Lancia Deltas and Ypsilons in 2011. The 300C will also be sold in continental Europe, as a Lancia.

Thanks to: Autocar

First photos of the interior of the Chrysler 300C 2011

2011 Chrysler 300C interior

The internet appeared first images of the interior of the Chrysler 300C sedan new generation.The premiere of the car will be in less than a month in Detroit. So far we have seen only pictures of the appearance of the car, and some teasers of the interior.From the photos suggests that the biggest change is in the center console where there is a new multimedia screen size 8.4 inches. Car navigation with Garmin, a new unit for climate control and new openings for ventilation.The steering wheel is completely changed, with parts of the metal in the style of the new models of the American company. Instruments are also new with blue light.

Spied: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible

Just last week, we took our first turn behind the wheel of the heavily reworked 2011 Chrysler 200 sedan. The former Chrysler Sebring underwent a very quick 12-month transformation, with nearly everything but the roof and the doors being replaced or redesigned. So we can give pretty solid predictions of what is hiding beneath the camouflage in these spy shots of the 200 convertible.

On the droptop 200, expect to see the same reworked front end, including the new grille, hood, fenders, fascia, and headlights housing LED accents. The rear should receive the same treatment as the sedan, with LED taillights bridged by an attractive chrome strip. We caught this mule wearing a cloth convertible top, but because the car keeps the same overall structure as the Sebring—and the two tops use the same mechanism with different skins—we expect to see the folding hardtop return as an option.

We’re trying to avoid sounding like a broken record, but in this case, it’s impossible. Like the sedan, the 200 convertible will welcome the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 deploying its 283 hp through a six-speed automatic transmission. (Also like the sedan, it should retain the base 2.4-liter four, which is to be avoided.) To improve on the old Sebring’s atrocious ride and handling, we’re anticipating a similar approach to that which has greatly livened the sedan: lowered suspension with stiffer bushings, higher spring rates, and thicker anti-roll bars, as well as quicker steering. The interior will be greatly improved; like many other new Chryslers, the 200 will get a new one-piece, soft-touch dash pad accented by other high-quality plastics and chrome dressings.

We can say from firsthand experience that the 200 sedan is much improved over the car it replaces, and we’re looking forward to seeing those changes make their way to the 200 droptop. The convertible should debut early in 2011 and, if pricing stays in line with the sedan’s, expect a slight increase from the 2010 models, which started around $28,500. Considering the tremendous improvements to the car, it should be a fair deal.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

New Car: 2012 Chrysler 300C

Take a look at the first official pictures of the updated Chrysler 300C. Despite the styling overhaul, this model is still essentially the same underneath the skin as the model that debuted in 2004.

That means UK models will only be available with a 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine mated to an automatic gearbox. An SRT-8 model, fitted with a 6.1-litre V8 is currently on sale but it hasn’t yet been confirmed for the updated range.

At the front, the 300C features a toned-down, less monolithic nose than the one that dominates the current car. There is still chrome in abundance, but the more rounded bonnet and grille soften the car’s appearance. The headlights are new too, and feature C-shaped Led daytime running lights.

The car’s taillights have also been tweaked, and there’s a new chrome strip which runs beneath the bootlid. Expect the interior to see a number of changes too, mostly involving improved trim materials.

Expect to see the updated 300C on sale in the UK early next year, with an official unveiling at the Detroit Motor Show in January. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express