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Revised 2015 Chrysler 300 arrives Down Under

Alvin Lee

The revised Chrysler 300 has arrived in Australia with even more dramatic styling and new features for 2015. The range has been simplified to just two models, with the slow-selling diesel variant dropped. The local line-up now consists of the 300C priced from $49,000 plus on-roads and the fully loaded 300C Luxury with a sticker of $54,000.

While the 300 Limited and sports-oriented 300S also received the same fate as the 300 diesel, the refreshed fire-breathing SRT8 has been confirmed for Australian shores and will join the new line-up in August priced from $59,000 for the SRT8 Core and $69,000 for the range-topping SRT8 Premium.

The new Chrysler 300’s purposeful exterior is now crafted with a bolder front grille, revised front and rear bumpers, restyled headlamps and taillights, polished exhaust tips, new LED fog lamps and new wheel designs.

Inside, new design elements for the 2015 Chrysler 300 include a standard 7-inch full-color digital instrument display cluster and electronic rotary transmission shifter. Chrysler’s new three-spoke steering wheel with larger vehicle controls and available die-cast paddle shifters also make first application in the new 300.

The Chrysler 300’s cabin is now quieter thanks to new noise absorbing components and materials including dual-pane acoustic windshield and front-door side glass, body-cavity silencing foam, under-flush rolled-framed doors with triple seals and acoustic wheel-well liners.

Improvements have also been made to the 300’s electronic power steering. The new variable system can increase power assistance for a lighter steering in low-speed situations and when parking, or reduce steering assistance at highway speeds for a firmer feel. The new steering has also been tuned for sharper response and better road feel for spirited driving.

Elsewhere, the 2015 Chrysler 300 gains an all-new, lighter cast-aluminum axles and axle housing for reduced parasitic friction.

A new Sport mode further sharpens throttle response and cut gear shift times by 37 percent. It can also hold the desired gear without unexpected shift, including at the redline.

Under the bonnet, the 300C’s atmospheric 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine remains unchanged and continues to channel 210kW and 340Nm to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, now standard across the range.

The flagship 300 SRT8’s 6.4-litre V8 scores a slight bump in performance, liberating another 3kW and 6Nm to bring total output to 350kW and 637Nm. The rival to Holden’s HSV and Ford’s FPV also gains a new eight-speed auto in place of the old five-speeder.

2015 Chrysler 300C standard features:

2015 Chrysler 300C Luxury standard features above 300C: