Richmond Review ·· Page Page 11 11
Friday, January 9, 2015
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Welcome to the driver’s seat
Visit the Chrysler 300 gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca
Hip with hip-hop stars and seniors too Inside When Chrysler resurrected the 300 It is amazing to see how much has nameplate (originally sold from the mid changed inside a modern sedan in the 50s until the late 70s) back in 2005, it was past 10 years. When the 2005 Chrysler met with the kind of enthusiasm of which 300 was introduced, the company was automakers can only dream. still addicted to hard, cheap looking plasHip-hop stars all the way to seniors chose tic. Today, the 300 is fitted with upscale the car with aggressive exterior styling materials and the latest infotainment. and full-size dimensions. In fact, the 2005 The changes for 2015 include a new inChrysler 300 wasn’t just a sales hit — it Much has strument cluster display that is bold and won more awards than any other vehicle bright. My preference would be to have to date. When Chrysler updated the car for changed in 10 years the ability to dial down the brightness 2011, the intention was to make the car for the 300, but the of the glowing instrument rings during less “brutal” looking, making it more ele- same goodness that the day, something that can be adjusted gant and sophisticated. This was achieved was in the 2005 at night when the headlamps are on. by opening up the glass area for better The award winning 8.4-inch uConnect outward visibility and minimizing the model is still here; infotainment screen is standard on all bold front grille. Now, for 2015, Chrysler is it is the refinement trim levels and it is a snap to learn. Also retracing its choices and going back to a that makes this a included now, on all models, is the rotary blunt look again. modern sedan. transmission controller, something that Looks becomes second nature after a few days The people who drove the 2005 model Zack Spencer of use. The rest of the interior is tailored welcomed some of the changes made in depending on the trim. The sportier S 2011. The glass area was improved by 15 model is covered in black with bold white stitching. It is per cent and the top of the front window was raised, the top Platinum models that get the opulent diamond making it easier to see traffic lights. This has not been stitching in the seats, a two-tone leather steering wheel adjusted for 2015; the revisions are kept to the front and open grain wood accents. and rear of the 300. The most noticeable update is the Drive return of a big, bold grille, which is 30 per cent bigger The reason for the standard transmission controller is than the aggressive grille found on the 2005 model. the standard 8-speed automatic transmission for both The way it is integrated is more polished, thanks to V6 and V8 equipped cars. The base engine is the same three distinct grille inserts depending on the trim level. 3.6L V6 with 292hp. The optional 363hp Hemi V8 is a The S trim (seen above) receives more black trim, not powerful upgrade but this car is no longer available just on the grille, but also the side window trim and with all wheel drive (AWD), this is something previous smoked 20-inch alloy wheels. This car has some of the V8 owners didn’t choose in great numbers, so it was attitude of the Dodge Charger in a slightly more upscale dropped. The 300 is now available with a sport setting package. Other refinements include LED lighting for for the transmission, engine management and steering daytime running lights, rear tail lamps and available feel, taking advantage of computer algorithms to LED fog lights. The rear bumper has been raised slightly extract the most out of the car’s strong engines. Unlike to make it look less heavy and integrated exhaust tips the sportier Dodge Charger, there is not an adjustable help refine the look.
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suspension but the S model does run on 20-inch wheels and tires making it feel very connected to the road. This will not be the choice of traditional luxury buyers; they will like the more upscale 300C for grand touring. Verdict Starting at $37,395 and maxing out at $45,295 for an AWD platinum V6 model, there are many trims to choose (V8 equipped cars run roughly $2,000 more). The base is the value leader, the S is the sporty model, with standard 20-inch wheels, and the 300C Platinum is the one featuring the opulent interior. Chrysler believes that the S model will be the volume leader thanks to the aggressive black trim and chunky wheels. This is a surprise because the Dodge Charger is based on the same platform and has the whole “bad boy” attitude in spades, something the 300 looks to be mimicking. The top Platinum would be my choice because it’s interior is so different from the Dodge, something that truly separates the two cars plus it has all the latest safety features including the autonomous braking system when a crash is detected. Much has changed in 10 years for the 300 but the same goodness that was in the 2005 model is still here; it is the refinement that makes this a modern sedan. The Lowdown Power: 2.4L 185hp or 2.0L Turbo with 245hp Fill-up: 9.8L/6.7L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price: $23,999-$34,799 zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
Question of the Week This week’s ICBC tip recommends that people carry an emergency kit in their car’s trunk. The list is extensive but we are looking for tips from readers about what else they carry and why. Let us know! Go to DrivewayCanada.ca to submit your answer. QUESTION
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OF THE WEEK!
Safety Tip: An emergency kit for your vehicle is crucial in case you become stranded or stuck. Items in your kit should include non-perishable food and water, blankets, first aid supplies, flashlight and extra batteries, flares and matches, jumper cables and a spare tire, jack and wheel wrench.
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