The Chrysler 300 has been one of America’s favorite cars since it was first released in 1955. Since then, it has continued to exceed our expectations and earn a place in many households year after year. Check out a brief history of the Chrysler 300.
The Birth of the Chrysler 300
Chrysler first introduced the Chrysler 300 in 1955. Frequent updates and redesigns between 1955 and 1965 helped Chrysler perfect the 300 models. The models released during this 10-year span were referred to as the letter series because each new model was followed by a letter — Chrysler 300B, Chrysler 300C, Chrysler 300D, and so on. By 1965, they concluded the letter series with the Chrysler 300L.
The first Chrysler 300 in the lineup was powered by a 5.4-liter Hemi engine with 300 horsepower. This was paired with the Powerflite, Chrysler’s first fully automatic transmission. At the time, this made the 300 the most powerful American-made vehicle on the road. In comparison, the Chevrolet Corvette had just 195 horsepower. By 1965, the Chrysler 300 was capable of 360 horsepower.
Sixth-Generation Redesign
The next significant change came in 1967 and also included visual updates. The 1967 Chrysler 300 had a brand-new roof and pointed grille design that made it stand out from the letter series. Chrysler also removed the four-door option from the lineup. More importantly, this sixth-generation redesign also came with a larger, 7.2-liter V-8 engine with 350 horsepower. Drivers could also upgrade to the available TNT model, which gave them 375 horsepower.
The Re-Birth of the Chrysler 300
Some consider the tenth generation of the Chrysler 300 to be its rebirth. Chrysler made updates and redesigns to pretty much every aspect of the Chrysler 300 before releasing the new generation in 2005. It had a unique uni-body structure with a rear drivetrain and a suspension system that borrowed its design from the popular Mercedes-Benz E Class.
The biggest change is that Chrysler, who previously sold vehicles to drivers looking for speed and power exclusively, now positioned the Chrysler 300 as a luxury family vehicle.
Meet the 2021 Chrysler 300
The latest Chrysler 300 is modern and capable, offering an available best-in-class V-8 engine with 363 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. An available class-exclusive all-wheel-drive system with front axle disconnect gives you reliable traction, even on difficult roads. The 2021 Chrysler 300 also features fuel saver technology that optimizes your efficiency.
The exterior design might look a lot different than when compared to the first 300, but it still incorporates the latest sporty styling and design cues as previous generations. The same sporty design carries over to the interior, where you also have access to all the latest technologies. This includes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, where you can stream on the largest standard touch-screen system in its class. There are also a lot of rumors circulating about the 2022 Chrysler 300, but nothing is yet confirmed.
Chrysler has done a good job of meeting its customer’s needs and designing vehicles that leave an impression. Stop into your local dealership and check out the latest design of the Chrysler 300.
Image via chrysler.com
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