http://img.ekstrabladet.dk/images/04/10/04/0410040944125404_13D9A21586703949714C5C889914E4.jp g

http://img.ekstrabladet.dk/images/04/10/04/0410040944189466_D1086371B9E8473186DF9277462FD4.jp g

From www.ekstrabladet.dk which is a Danish news website. Here they are reviewing the brand new Chrysler 300C Touring (station wagon = Magnum) and they write as follows:

http://ekstrabladet.dk/VisArtikel.iasp?PageID=265277

Translation:

(Headline is impossible to translate (slang), but it's not exactly flattering..."Dunderklumpen" means something like heavy and clumsy)

Main text:

"The Past Blooms in Chrysler 300C Touring.

With help from the previous Mercedes Benz E-class, Chrysler has returned to the rear wheel drive of the past which goes best with a big and heavy "American" (typical term for US produced vehicles) with a mega-engine and plenty of horsepower.

At Chrysler they also couldn't resist the urge to express the roots of the design - what they have dreamt about for many years - and which came to life in Dodge Viper and Prowler.

Chrysler 300C Touring could have been made by an enthusiast who had cut the roof off an ordinary station wagon, shortened the posts, and then re-attached the roof. They called it "chopping". 300C sedan and especially 300C Touring attach themselves to this American design tradition.

ONLY A FRACTION

That also means that they are equally many who can't stand to 300C Touring, as those who can't stop looking at it. If you're crazy about it, you should probably settle for just looking, because if you throw around 700.000 kroner on the table to get it (around $115.000) you will only get a fraction back if you sell it.

The 540 horsepower (I sent them an email about that...) in the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 get to the road via four wheel drive and a 5-speed automatic transmission. There are no more burnt tires from the green light like in the old days, but that's the only thing from back then that isn't there anymore.

VERY LITTLE FUN

The interior is Chrysler's own with the same features as the exterior design, and both driver position and ergonomics are very good.

The size and the weight put restrictions on the driving abilities, and "Dunderklumpen" mostly likes to drive in a straight line but can be forced around a corner or two. It's just not fun to do.

The fun consists of sometimes hearing the engine burn off 98 (octane) and then just view the style from the rocker. (Yes, "rocker" like those rocking chairs...sigh)"

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Clearly this reviewer was smoking something. There are always differing views on any given car, but this just strikes me as a lack of understanding of the culture of American cars. In Denmark gas is ridiculously expensive ($6/gallon) so that's why no one has cars like this. That and the price tag of course. Only $80.000+ difference on getting on of those here and over there. How can't it be "fun" to have 340 HP to fool around with? I guess it's way more fun to have a nimble little 1.3L POS which can turn on a dime. :all_cohol

The reviewer got it right. The LX's are very unrefined, heavy, and handle poorly. Very american.

The reviewer got it right. The LX's are very unrefined, heavy, and handle poorly. Very american.

:comp08:

WTF all the LX platforms actually handle quite well for being big cars which yes means they wont turn the same as a 1.3L four banger POS but who cares thats not what it is meant for even though it cant turn well in a race with lots of turns it would still smoke the little POS because of good old American horsepower Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g,2004 Honda Accord EX V6--Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skid pad: 0.79 g,2005 Chrysler 300C considering the 300 wieghs 1000lbs more thats not bad

I found that there wasn't much difference between my Intrepid, and a Hemi LX, with the traction control on. I don't really know if that's impressive for the car that's FWD, or the car that weighs 500lbs more. Still, in European terms, the Magnum (well, the 300 touring, whatever) is massive, and incredebly inefficient. The LX's weren't designed for Europe. Europe's got small roads, and expensive gas.

Heh, they can stick with their MB E-Class....

I found that there wasn't much difference between my Intrepid, and a Hemi LX, with the traction control on. I don't really know if that's impressive for the car that's FWD, or the car that weighs 500lbs more. Still, in European terms, the Magnum (well, the 300 touring, whatever) is massive, and incredebly inefficient. The LX's weren't designed for Europe. Europe's got small roads, and expensive gas.

The Magnum and the 300 are both the same size as the outgoing 300M...a 5 meter car (Europe's "limit"). The outgoing Intrepid is actually a bigger car then the LX's.

Alright, I wasn't certain if the LX's were less than 5m. Makes sense though. Even still, you must admit, that to a European, something that's 499cm will still be massive. And, it's more the weight of the LX that makes it seem so big. Ultimately, the LX is a car that was developed for North America, and as such, isn't perfectly suited for Europe. One of their 1.3litre POS's is better suited for them, but isn't so good for us.

Alright, I wasn't certain if the LX's were less than 5m. Makes sense though. Even still, you must admit, that to a European, something that's 499cm will still be massive. And, it's more the weight of the LX that makes it seem so big. Ultimately, the LX is a car that was developed for North America, and as such, isn't perfectly suited for Europe. One of their 1.3litre POS's is better suited for them, but isn't so good for us.


$3.50 a gallon gas may change many peoples mind. There is a 6 month wait for the MB smart cars with the .8L engine here in Ontario. I read that there will be some Chinese type smart cars in north america in the next few years selling at less than $5,000.00 That may be a major problem for the automakers. Our Canadian government just anounced that they will be going ahead with a 25% increase in gas mileage for cars by 2010. Can you say big gas gusler tax.

$3.50 a gallon gas may change many peoples mind. There is a 6 month wait for the MB smart cars with the .8L engine here in Ontario. I read that there will be some Chinese type smart cars in north america in the next few years selling at less than $5,000.00 That may be a major problem for the automakers. Our Canadian government just anounced that they will be going ahead with a 25% increase in gas mileage for cars by 2010. Can you say big gas gusler tax.Uhh, cool.

Since I'm in America, I'll stick with my V8's and HO V6's...

There is a 6 month wait for the MB smart cars with the .8L engine here in Ontario.
I wonder, how much of that is people who are actually concerned with fuel economy, and how much is people who just want to be the first on the block with one? I mean, people who were really concerned about fuel economy could just as easily go buy a Jetta TDi, or a Prius, you know, cars that are able to keep up with traffic on the highway (well, to be fair, the Smart has a top speed of 140kmh, it just takes forever to get there).

The only fuel efficient vehicle I'd buy is a TDi. But it always gums up with the low quality diesel we have here.

The Prius is only fast (or acceptably fast) with a full battery, which only happends during city driving. After an hour cruising at 75, you're using pure gas power, at which point you'll be as slow as a Smart.

The TDi is a much better touring car. With its abundant torque, highway passing does not require downshifts.

The reviewer got it right. The LX's are very unrefined, heavy, and handle poorly. Very north american.

There I fixed it for you.

$3.50 a gallon gas may change many peoples mind. There is a 6 month wait for the MB smart cars with the .8L engine here in Ontario. I read that there will be some Chinese type smart cars in north america in the next few years selling at less than $5,000.00 That may be a major problem for the automakers. Our Canadian government just anounced that they will be going ahead with a 25% increase in gas mileage for cars by 2010. Can you say big gas gusler tax.

Looks like the ole Altima will look like a guzzler too then eh?

Looks like the ole Altima will look like a guzzler too then eh?

Yes it may be. I may be paying a $3,000 tax but a V8 300 may be paying $6,000


It will be interesting if any car company can make money on econoboxes.

I saw one of the 300C Tourings today (I was driving by the DaimlerChrysler headquarters in Auburn Hills today). I gotta admit, it doesn't look right. I see the body, and expect to see the Magnum front end.