A Different Perspective

After years of driving incredibly efficient front-wheel drive Japanese sedans, I must admit it feels pretty good to sit in an old-school, politically incorrect, loud mouthed, rear wheel drive, American muscle car. Nothing says, “What oil crisis?” quite like the black sheep of Chrysler’s family, the new 300C. It just doesn’t give a shift.

But wait, this one is not the Greenpeace-offending, 5.7 liter, V8 Hemi version that sprints to 100 km/h faster than someone could chain themselves to a tree. This here is the new 2.7 liter V6 that gives you all the commanding presence of your typical New Jersey hit man, without drinking as much as the entire cast of the Sopranos.

If you’re looking for something that sticks out of the crowd, this would be the automotive equivalent of wearing Crocs with your Tux. But how does it stack up against the current crop of executive saloons?

Well, at 178 horsepower, the 300C is not going to be the getaway vehicle of choice for any crime syndicate, no matter intimidating they want to look – because at 3,725 pounds, it has the same power to weight ratio as a Honda Jazz. Seriously. But to look at it that way is to miss the point entirely. Power hungry people can always choose the tarmac shredding Hemi versions or the slightly more modest 3.5 liter; this, on the other hand, is meant to be the “C light” or the sugar-free version of the iconic sports sedan.

And from that end, it delivers. I was able to achieve around 7.6 kilometers to the liter during my test drive, which incorporated mixed conditions, including the spirited drive down to Anvaya Cove. All while having space to fit five adults in total comfort, plus their gear.

The 2.7 liter V6 may take a hit on power, but you give up nothing on the comfort side – plus you can sleep a bit easier knowing you have left a smaller carbon footprint. The Mercedes underpinnings help to cushion the cruelties of our local roads, but the floaty American suspension can make it a bit of a handful around corners. It will simply come down to your priorities, but it’s safe to say that this is not the car you would tackle Kennon road on with a stop watch.

The interior is tastefully detailed with leather seats, chromed door spears, chromed center console spears and cup holder rings, chromed instrument panel trim rings and a satin silver accent bezel on the center console. It is a pleasant enough place to spend time in, especially considering that the stereo has an auxiliary input for your iPod.

Driving around town can get a little challenging because of the extremely high belt line and the smaller windows, but you learn to live with it. At least you have less hassle parking it, because during my test run, security guards tended to move barriers around for me to give me the prime spot. Problem is, they expect you to tip more.

Yup, this is a car that could hold its own at any country club driveway or flashy office building. You would buy it just for that, plus the fact that it comes pretty well equipped for its price. It’s designed for the red meat-eating executive that knows how to get what he wants, and will stop at nothing until he/she does.

For a cool 2.350M, you get 17-inch aluminum wheels, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, plus a whole new persona. And even if it starts getting to your head, don’t worry; it comes with an electronic tire pressure monitor that can automatically tell you if your tires have been shot out.

THE GOOD

• Killer looks, lots of space, one hell of an attitude.

THE BAD

• 2.7 liter engine struggles a bit to keep up with its own shadow.

THE VERDICT

• Great car for those who want to stand out from the crowd.

** The 3.5 liter version is P2.650 M, the 5.7 HEMI is P3.250 and SRT8 is P3.9 M.