| In 1955, when the Chrysler 300 was first introduced to | | | | The handling of the 2006 Chrysler 300 mimics that of |
| the American public, the nation's population was | | | | the Mercedes Benz E-Class. The rear wheel drive car |
| 151,684,000, the average annual salary was $2,992, | | | | shares the same suspension with the Mercedes |
| and the cost for a loaf of bread was $0.14. Times | | | | E-Class, and the 50:50 weight distribution helps deliver |
| sure have changed. DaimlerChrysler has built the 2006 | | | | a smooth, supple ride with enhanced cornering |
| Chrysler 300 to meet the challenge of a modern | | | | capabilities. The 120-inch wheelbase provides greater |
| America. The new car, which was launched in 2005 - | | | | stability. Moreover, there are subtle differences |
| has a bold new look, sumptuous leather interior, refined | | | | depending on which trim you choose. For example, the |
| handling, four choices for engines, and shares many | | | | ride in the Touring trim is supple and controlled, while |
| components including the chassis with the | | | | the 300C with the more powerful Hemi(R) is stiff. But |
| Mercedes-Benz E Class. But the MSRP of $23,525 to | | | | the more you drive it, the more familiar you'll get with |
| $39,920 suggests the company has kept pace with | | | | its agile feel and responsive handling. |
| the vision of the Company founder Walter P. Chrysler | | | | |
| to build mid-size cars that were technologically | | | | Safety is also a vital component of the design in all |
| advanced and priced adequately to meet the needs | | | | DaimlerChrysler automobiles. The 2006 Chrysler 300 |
| of the American people. | | | | has attained the five star front-impact crash test rating |
| | | | (the highest government safety standard for |
| On May 8, 1998 when Daimler-Benz merged with | | | | evaluating vehicle management of crash energy). All |
| Chrysler, resulted in the co-development of the | | | | 300 models use steel Unibody (TM) safety cage |
| company's new car, the Chrysler 300. The car | | | | construction and standard multi-stage airbags with |
| features engineering from both companies. Its large | | | | Occupant Classification System(R) that evaluates |
| headlights, full front grill, and a boxy cut complements | | | | forces to determine which bags should be inflated, |
| its bodacious exterior making the car resemble the | | | | when and how fully. Front and rear side-curtain airbags |
| more expensive Bentley Continental coupe. Step inside | | | | are available as options, and we strongly urge you to |
| the cabin and you'll be surprised with the amount of | | | | get these to complement the vehicle's otherwise |
| space. The full size cabin is comfortable, as legibly put | | | | exceptional safety reputation. |
| together. Look around, and you'll see large, clear dials | | | | |
| that have a retro appeal, yet are easy to read. Turn | | | | On January 5, 1924, the same year Lee Iacocca was |
| on the engine and listen to the Hemi(R) growl, engage | | | | born, the first Chrysler car model was launched. It was |
| the gear, and the 2006 Chrysler 300 is ready to rock. | | | | called the Chrysler Six; it was a statement that |
| | | | enshrined Walter P. Chrysler's philosophy of beating |
| At the heart of the 2006 Chrysler 300 is the | | | | Henry Ford at the automotive game by building |
| re-engineered Hemi(R) engine that gained infamy by | | | | technologically advanced cars. For its time, the |
| winning Le Mans in the original 1955 Chrysler 300. For | | | | Chrysler Six was way ahead of the curve offering the |
| 2006, the Chrysler 300 gives you choice of the 2.7 | | | | industry's first high-compression engine with aluminum |
| -liter V6 engine tweaked with 200 horsepower, the | | | | pistons, detachable cylinder heads, vacuum fuel feed |
| 3.5-liter 250 horsepower; the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi(R) with | | | | and uniquely expressive design. The Chrysler Six |
| 340 horsepower, and thetop of the range SRT-8 with | | | | served as inspiration for the original 1955 Chrysler 300, |
| 6.1-liter Hemi(R) with 425 horsepower (torque of 420 | | | | which in-turn inspired the current Chrysler 300. What |
| feet/pound at 6,000 rpm) that can go from 0 - 60 mph | | | | would make these cars better would be the availability |
| in the low 5 seconds. Fuel efficiency ranges from 21 | | | | of a Hybrid engine, and word has it DaimlerChrysler, |
| mpg city, to 28 mpg in the highway but also depends | | | | BMW, and Ford and jointly developing one which |
| on how you drive. | | | | should be ready for the market in 2009. The passage |
| | | | of time is glorious indeed. |