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