Chrysler 300 2016: Price and specs for Australia

Refreshed looks outside and a more refined interior headline changes for the 2016 Chrysler 300. An American sedan that started life as a gauche monument to chrome has been toned down to something much more handsome.

The pricey $5,000 diesel option has been deleted. For now, all Chrysler 300 models are powered by the company’s 3.6-litre petrol Pentastar V6.

That’s until the 6.4-litre HEMI V8 arrives. Australia is now Chrysler’s focus market for the 300 HEMI, with other world markets (including the United States) being slow to express interest in the brashest of the 300’s engines.

Outside, subtle panel changes complement a move away from chrome parts. The 300 has moved towards its Lancia Thema twin—as the Chrysler 300 is known in the Italian market. There’s a larger grille with a larger Chrysler emblem, plus LED lighting accents and new wheel designs.

The number plate has also been jauntily relocated to the left side of the front bumper, much like its Italian placement. We think that looks great.

Inside, the design centred around an 8.4-inch touchscreen remains the same, though there are new matte wood trims. Greater acoustic damping has also been added in to reduce wind noise.

At launch, the 300 will launch in two trims: the 300C and 300C Luxury. Both receive an eight-speed automatic transmission standard, sending power to the rear wheels and consuming between 9.4L/100km and 9.7L/100km depending on the model.

Dynamically, the normally-aspirated V6 carries over from last year’s model. It’s a tried-and-tested powerplant that makes 210kW and 340Nm. The 300C Luxury now includes a sports drive mode that promises to tighten up engine and steering responsiveness.

Value increases, too. The 300C ($49,000) brings 18-inch polished aluminium wheels and HID bi-xenon lights outside. Inside, it’s kitted-out well with heated leather in both the front and back, satellite navigation, an Alpine-branded nine-speaker sound system, push button start, and a reversing camera.

Stepping up to the $54,000 300C Luxury buys larger, 20-inch polished wheels, quilted Nappa leather that’s ventilated up front, paddle shifters, and memory for the driver’s seat.

The 300C Luxury also comes fitted with a number of advanced safety features. There’s active cruise control with the capacity to bring the car to a complete stop. Additionally, you’ve got lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

2016 Chrysler 300: Australian price