September 1, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Celebrating more than nine decades of American ingenuity, the 2017 Chrysler 300 lineup delivers on the brand's promise of style, sophistication, world-class quality and technology – all at an attainable value. Through iconic design proportions with inspired materials; class-exclusive innovations, including all-new fourth-generation Uconnect touchscreen systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus improved features, performance and award-winning interface; TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission delivering 30 miles per gallon (mpg) highway fuel economy standard on every model; plus the availability of the segment's most advanced all-wheel drive (AWD) system and numerous style packages, including the all-new Exterior and Interior Sport Appearance Packages with enthusiast appointments on 300S, the Chrysler 300 lineup is America's big and bold sedan.

Highlights •Class-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on every model, delivering best-in-class V-6 highway fuel economy, plus best-in-class V-6 and V-8 driving range

•All Chrysler 300 models are available with the segment's most technologically advanced AWD system, which includes a segment-exclusive active transfer case and front-axle-disconnect system to improve real-world fuel economy. This advanced AWD system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and AWD with no driver intervention to maximize fuel economy

•Chrysler 300S represents the brand's Y-strategy, offering more athletic and youthful appointments to the lineup thanks to a unique 300 horsepower Pentastar V-6 engine with paddle shifters and sport mode, touring-tuned (performance-tuned with V-8) suspension, blacked-out exterior accents, 20-inch Hyper Black wheels, leather-wrapped sport seats, exclusive Piano Black interior accents and signature 10-speaker BeatsAudio system

•As the pinnacle of the Chrysler lineup, the 300C Platinum features model-exclusive Platinum Chrome finishes, 20-inch polished-aluminum wheels, sport mode with paddle shifters, signature two-tone Indigo/Linen (Black also available) interior environment with segment-exclusive quilted and perforated Nappa leather seats and door panels, hand-sanded natural pore wood, French accent stitching and leather-wrapped steering wheel with unique chrome accent ring

•Sport mode instantly transforms the personality and performance of the Chrysler 300S, plus 300C with V-8 and 300C Platinum models, by reducing shift times from approximately 400 milliseconds to 250 milliseconds, increased engine and throttle responsiveness, firmer steering feel and turns AWD 'on' (if off) with AWD models for improved dynamics

•For drivers who want even more performance from the Chrysler 300S, 300C or 300C Platinum models, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver Technology delivers 363 horsepower, 394 lb.-ft. of torque, 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in less than 6 seconds and best-in-class V-8 driving range (EPA estimated 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 combined)

•Building on its 'Top Safety Pick' credentials, Chrysler 300 offers a 360-degree perspective thanks to the SafetyTec Plus Group's Full-speed Forward Collision Warning – Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus with Full Stop, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection and more

•For drivers who want more handling capability, a performance-tuned suspension with increased spring rates, performance-tuned steering and bushings, larger sway bars (with V-8 engine) and Goodyear Eagle F1 three-season tires is available on rear-wheel drive Chrysler 300S models

Model Lineup

For 2017, the Chrysler 300 lineup consists of four models, all of which are available with the segment's most innovative AWD system: •300 Limited

•300S

•300C

•300C Platinum

Exterior Colors •Ceramic Gray Clear Coat (NEW)

•Velvet Red Pearl Coat

•Bright White Clear Coat

•Redline Red Tri-coat Pearl

•Gloss Black Clear Coat

•Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat

•Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat

•Jazz Blue Pearl Coat

•Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat

Interior Colors •Black

•Black/Linen

•Black/Caramel

•Black/Sydney Gray (NEW)

•Indigo/Linen

by Chrysler

Bolder and More Athletic Inside and Out: New 2017 Chrysler 300S Sport Appearance Packages

•New Exterior and Interior Sport Appearance Packages provide even more athletic attitude to the blacked-out 2017 Chrysler 300S model

•Exterior Sport Appearance Package is standard on 300S V-8 model, available on 300S V-6 models, and includes a more aggressive front fascia, unique LED fog lamps, plus sculpted side sills and deck-lid spoiler

•New for 2017, the Interior Sport Appearance Package adds premium perforated leather performance seats with high-bolstered contours in suede, along with new discretely appointed interior accents and materials

•New Ceramic Gray exterior paint provides the 300S with a 'straight shade' hue for a truly avant-garde look

•Ordering for the 2017 Chrysler 300S with new Sport Appearance Packages will start in August

March 23, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - For 2017, the Chrysler brand is updating its bold and blacked-out Chrysler 300S model with even more athletic and aggressive styling appointments thanks to new Exterior and Interior Sport Appearance Packages, plus updated color and materials to make this flagship 300 model the most enthusiast-focused ever.

'The new 2017 Chrysler 300S re-excites the passion of what owning an American flagship sedan is about,' said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. 'And now for our Chrysler enthusiasts, two all-new sport appearance packages that take the 300S model's athletic styling and appointments to the next level.'

The 2017 Chrysler 300S with new Exterior and Interior Sport Appearance Packages will debut at the 2016 New York International Auto Show and be available at Chrysler dealerships nationwide for ordering this August.

New Exterior Sport Appearance Package provides Chrysler 300S with even bolder styling

The new Exterior Sport Appearance Package makes the Chrysler 300S model's commanding presence even more prominent.

Standard with the 300S V-8 model, and available on the 300S V-6 model, the new Exterior Sport Appearance Package features a more aggressively styled front fascia with larger air intakes and integrated LED fog lamps highlighting the 300S model's world-class handling and levels of technology. These fog lamps are exclusive to the Exterior Sport Appearance Package and are comprised of a strip of eight horizontal LEDs each, for an even more distinctive signature look at night.

Nestled below the Gloss Black headlamps and dimensional grille is a larger body-color painted Mobius strip, which further emphasizes the flagship sedan's road-holding width, while tying in the brand's design DNA. The Chrysler 300S model's signature proportions take on an even sportier aesthetic as 20-inch (19-inch with AWD) wheels flank the new package's sculpted side sills.

At the rear, Chrysler 300S model's new Exterior Sport Appearance Package adds a deck-lid spoiler to complement the dual exhausts and further the sedan's athletic appearance.

Interior Sport Appearance Package upgrades 300S

New for 2017, the Interior Sport Appearance Package takes the Chrysler 300S model's sport-contoured leather seating and upgrades it for more cradling and comfort.

New premium perforated leather performance seats with high-bolstered contours in suede provide front seat passengers with more lateral support during spirited driving. In addition, these front performance seats are heated and ventilated – adding to the flagship sedan's already lengthy list of convenience features.

Updated 300S color and material selection for a truly avant-garde look

The Chrysler brand's product design office (PDO) team continues to build on the brand's leadership position in expressive and industrious exterior and interior selections by integrating colors and materials that were inspired outside of the automotive industry, including fashion, architecture and technology, and even in the design office's backyard – the Motor City.

In keeping with the Chrysler brand design team's use of unique finishes, the 2017 Chrysler 300S exudes an athletic-luxury interior with new Piano Black interior trim appointments on the instrument panel, door panel and instrument cluster bezels. New Light Gray Diesel colored accent stitching expressively highlights the Chrysler 300S model's craftsmanship on door and center console armrests, instrument panel brow, steering wheel as well as the leather-wrapped sport seats, or on the new performance seats as part of the new Interior Sport Appearance Package.

New Ceramic Gray exterior paint provides the 300S with a 'straight shade' hue for a truly industrial-tough look. Other 300S colors include Bright White, Gloss Black, Granite Crystal Metallic, Billet Silver Metallic, Maximum Steel Metallic, Jazz Blue Pearl and Redline Red Tri-coat.

Sport mode, plus an available 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine

In the Chrysler 300 lineup, the 300S model is the most dynamically capable and driver focused.

Sport mode instantly transforms the Chrysler 300S model's performance and personality. By engaging Sport mode, drivers can reduce shift times from approximately 400 milliseconds to 250 milliseconds, increase engine and throttle responsiveness, plus firm up the steering feel of the electric power steering (EPS) system.

For even greater V-6 performance, the Chrysler 300S model increases the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine's output to 300 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque, plus adds a unique sport-tuned dual exhaust system with a more distinctive sound. For customers who want more performance, the Chrysler 300S can be had with a 363-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver Technology.

The Chrysler 300S model's chassis features a sport-tuned suspension with increased damping to make sure the flagship sedan's power and precision connects the driver to the road. For drivers who want more handling capability, a performance-tuned suspension with increased spring rates, performance-tuned steering and bushings, larger sway bars (with V-8 engine) and Goodyear Eagle F1 Three-season tires are also available on rear-wheel drive Chrysler 300S models.

Segment's most innovative all-wheel-drive (AWD) system

For customers who want the best of Detroit-born style and even more all-weather traction, the Chrysler 300S AWD model includes an advanced AWD system that delivers traction to all four wheels when necessary, or thanks to its segment-exclusive technology, can electronically adjust back to two-wheel drive for maximum fuel efficiency.

The Chrysler 300S AWD pairs the 300-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with the state-of-the-art TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission and the segment's most innovative AWD system for up to 27 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway. And for driving enthusiasts, Sport mode turns AWD 'on' (if off) and enables the 300S to deliver rear-biased torque for improved dynamics.

About Chrysler Brand

The Chrysler brand has delighted customers with distinctive designs, craftsmanship, intuitive innovation and technology all at an extraordinary value since the company was founded in 1925.

Whether it is the family-room-on-wheels functionality of the all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the groundbreaking, bold design of the Chrysler 300, or the simple elegance and extraordinary driving experience of the Chrysler 200, Chrysler brand vehicles reward the passion, creativity and sense of accomplishment of its owners. Beyond just exceptionally designed vehicles, the Chrysler brand has incorporated thoughtful features into all of its products, such as the innovative center console with pass through storage and sliding cup holders in the Chrysler 200, the industry-exclusive Stow 'n Go seating and storage system on the Chrysler Pacifica and the fuel-saving Fuel Saver Technology in the Chrysler 300.

The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in design, engineering and value. The premium for the Chrysler brand is in the product, not the price.

by Chrysler

In 1955, Chrysler introduced the C300. The 'C' stood for coupe, and the 300 was the horsepower rating of the original Hemi engine equipped with two four-barrel carbs, solid lifters, special manifolds, and enlarged dual exhausts. This vehicle gave the Chrysler Corporation a performance and sporty image, a much-needed persona in this post-World War II era. Many European manufacturers, such as Jaguar and MG, had introduced high-powered, small, responsive sports cars. American manufacturers countered with the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird. The Chrysler 300 was a performance car with a contemporary 'Forward Look' designed by ex-Studebaker stylist Virgil Exner. The design was void of the popular chrome sides prevalent during this era. It was a simple but aggressive gentleman's car.

The Chrysler 300 was outfitted with a hemispherical (Hemi) combustion chamber 5.4 liter V-8 that produced 300 horsepower and matted to a performance-modified two-speed 'PowerFlite' automatic gearbox. The body came from the New Yorker; rear quarter moldings were compliments of the Windsor. The two-piece grille came from the Imperial. An improved suspension was implemented to provide sporty and responsive handling. The base price was $4,055.

Sales of the C300 were fueled by its success on the stock car circuit. The C300 dominated the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, where it won the stock production class and took home the Tom McCahill trophy. From 1955 through 1957, it was the fastest American car.

In 1959, a 300D driven at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats by Norm Thatcher set a new Class E speed record of 156.387 mph. During the same year, Brewster Shaw achieved a quarter-mile time of 16 seconds with a trap speed of 94 mph at Daytona Beach, Florida.

In 1956, Chrysler increased the displacement of its Hemi engine to 5.8 liters and changed the name to 300B. With 355 horsepower, the V8 engine had one horsepower per cubic inch, an achievement that very few manufacturers were able to claim.

The letters continued to climb the alphabet annually until the 300L of 1965 (the letter I was skipped). They became known as the 'letter cars'. In 1959, the 392 Hemi was replaced with the 413 cubic-inch Golden Lion wedge-head design engine. In 1962, the 300 Sport series became available alongside the 300H. The 300, without a letter designation, was continued until 1971. In 1970, the 300 Hurst was produced, built by Chrysler, and modified by the Hurst Company. The modifications included two-tone paint, special striping, a spoiler on the deck lid, and wheels. The 300 name was again revived in 1979 as the 300 Special Edition, but endured a short life span. It was based on the Cordoba platform and available only in white with a red leather interior.

Even with eleven years of production, less than 17,000 were produced. The body styles available were either a two-door hardtop or convertible. The convertible was not available in 1955, 1956, and 1963.

In the early 2000's, Chrysler revived the model name with the 300M. For most 300 enthusiasts, it is a good attempt, but far from the original 300's. The original 300's, as argued by some MOPAR enthusiasts, is considered the first muscle car. Although they were fast, they were also large and luxurious, qualities muscle cars did not typically process. The 300 did get America moving on the fast track to the horsepower and performance revolution and looked good while doing it.

by Dan Vaughan

In 2005, the wave of retro design that is still shaping American cars first washed over Detroit. American companies, with their stale product offerings, began looking towards their rich pasts to inspire new models with the design and flair of long-gone icons. It was in 2005 that Chrysler launched a modern iteration of the famed 300.

The 300 name had actually been revived by Chrysler several years before the 2005 300's introduction as a car called the 300M, but that model was dated even when brand new and didn't evoke nostalgic memories in the same way its replacement would. The 2005 300 was a total departure from the Chrysler models immediately preceding it. The sleek, low slung, 'cab-forward' design language of the 300M and others was replaced by the new 300's brash and blocky look. The 2005 Chrysler 300 was not merely an updated version of a bygone classic, but rather a revival of Chrysler's attitude during the company's most exciting times.

The new 300 went back to a rear wheel drive platform and reintroduced the muscular proportions of America's former bad-boy sedans. Available V8 power rounded out the package and a large, upright chrome grille stood proud in grand American fashion. The 2005 Chrysler 300 was met with great fanfare and positive press. For as exciting a car as the '05 300 was, though, it could barely capture the style and spirit of the car that inspired it. The original 300 was one of the most thrilling Chryslers ever released. It was a car whose inspirational design and performance will be lauded forever and whose legend will continue to be respected by Chrysler workers, owners and admirers, as well as by the flashy new car that shares its name.

Produced without interruption from 1955 through 1971, the Chrysler 300 in its earliest form was one of the very first muscle cars. Though production extended into the early 1970's, the best-known (and best-loved) 300s were the 'letter series' cars of 1955-1965. All 300s were part of this letter series until 1962, when both letter and non-letter variants were offered through 1965. Models made from 1966 on were not part of the letter series. Each Chrysler in the letter series used the 300 designation followed by a single letter. That letter ascended alphabetically once every year, making it up to 'L.' Confusingly, the first of the series was not called the 300A but the C-300. In that one instance, the letter 'C' simply stood for coupe. Revisions on the C-300 theme created the 300B for 1956, then 300C for 1957, 300D for 1958, and so on. The only other snag in the letter series system was the use of the letter 'J' for the 1963 300, instead of the 'I' for which the car was due. Chrysler likely used the 'J' nomenclature to prevent confusion between the letter 'I' and the Roman numeral I.

The letter series 300 introduced potent performance and a fresh design to Chrysler, whose other models had grown stale. In that sense, the original 300 arrived for the same reasons as 2005's remake. The name was chosen for bragging rights. Chrysler, with its aptly named C-300, had become the first American manufacturer to develop 300hp in a production car. That power led the 1955 Chrysler to become the fastest production car in the world, reaching 127.58mph at Daytona Beach. The C-300's engine was a 331ci Chrysler V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers and two 4-barrel carburetors. The aforementioned 300hp was achieved at 5,200rpm.

There was much more to the C-300 than formidable speed. The car was large, luxurious, and packed with comfortable features. At 220 inches in length, the C-300 was huge for a two-door. A weight of 4,300lbs gave it the bulk of a personal limousine. Its two speed automatic transmission required no effort on the driver's part. The car was rolling evidence that speed and luxury were not mutually exclusive traits. The C-300 was the fastest car on the road, and it may very well have been the most comfortable.

A superb combination of performance and comfort alone would have made the Chrysler C-300 a classic. But the car's quality didn't stop there. Designed by the talented and innovative Virgil Exner, the C-300 was a triple threat of sumptuous luxury, speed and, and style.

Before moving to Chrysler, Exner had worked for GM under the guidance of Harley Earl and for Raymond Loewy's own design firm. His experience led him to be a daring designer, but the 1955 C-300 was a subdued design. It was handsome and understated, free of the garish detailing the plagued so many of its contemporaries. With its regal proportions and proud stance, the C-300 separated itself from lowlier cars that used glitz and glam as their only stylistic values. A split egg crate grille, in chrome, dominated the frontal aspect of the C-300 and had a tastefully minimal chrome bumper running beneath it. The subtle fins picked up just aft of the doors and beneath the beltline. At the rear, the vestigial fins flowed into vertical taillights. With a base price above $4,000, buyers paid dearly for a fine congregation of elegant design, comfort, and rapidity.

Even more power was made available for the 1956 300B. A 354ci V8, at first making 340hp, was available with 355hp by the middle of its run—making it the first American engine to produce 1 horsepower per cubic inch. Three transmissions were offered: PowerFlite and TorqueFlite two-speed autos, and a three-speed manual.

Performance improvements in the 1956 300B were complemented by the availability of an even more comfortable interior. Air conditioning was offered as well as a clock in the steering wheel for the particularly punctual. And, of course, if the clock wasn't distracting enough, a record player could also be ordered.

The styling of the 300B featured a revised rear treatment, but the car was largely the same as 1955's C-300. For the 1957 300C, though, Exner thoroughly revamped the 300's shape. The new design was more brash but still tasteful and clean. It featured more pronounced fins and a quad headlight face with a large, one-piece egg crate grille. From the side, the 300C looked particularly good. Its long and low proportions were readily revealed from that angle. Also easily noticeable from the side, the 300C had a forward tilt to its front end that was mirrored by a rearward tilt to its fins. The balanced look was an Exner hallmark that worked wonderfully on the 300C. A convertible version was offered whose absence of a roofline emphasized the trapezoidal side profile of the 300C's body. A top speed of 150mph could be reached by the 300C.

For 1958, a 300D was introduced. It looked very similar to the 300C, but big improvements were still made. Fuel injection became an available option and power brakes were standard. With 380hp, the 300D could be propelled to 156mph. The 300E of 1959 offered similar styling but with a very different engine. The hemi-head V8 was replaced by a 413ci wedge-head V8.

The 300F brought major styling changes for 1960. While other companies toned down their use of fins for the 1960's, Chrysler gave its 300F a wild, one-year-only rear treatment with razor sharp fins. Ralph Nader, in his book Unsafe at and Speed that most famously criticized the Chevrolet Corvair's poor handling, called the 300F's fins 'potentially lethal.' Automotive writer Quentin Willson offered good reason for Nader's concern in his own work titled The Ultimate Classic Car Book, pointing to a 1963 traffic accident in which an unfortunate motorcyclist became impaled by one of the fins of a 300F.

With a front end that looked slightly awkward compared to the noses of its predecessors and a heavily criticized faux spare tire cover incorporated into the rear deck lid, the 300F's overall look lacked the thoroughly clean appearance of earlier models. But from the side at least the 300F still looked good, and performance and comfort were as impressive as ever. Up to 400hp could be had from the 413ci engine. A beautifully finished interior continued a tradition of comfortable motoring. The interior was so inviting that the seats literally offered themselves to driver and front passenger, automatically swiveling to allow easy access whenever a door was opened.

The 300G was brought out for 1961 and was the last finned 300. The front end retained four headlights, but they were now stacked two per side in tilted columns. Standard power windows and cruise control further enhanced an already excellent list of convenience features, and performance options remained similar to those of the 300F. The 300H used the following year was similar in most respects to the 300G, but had a fresh tail design with a smooth, tapering deck where once stood fins. Production of the 300H was unusually low even for the exclusive letter series, but sales were bolstered by the introduction of a more affordable non-letter series variant, named simply the '300.'

For 1963, the letter 'I' was skipped and the 300J was introduced alongside a revamped standard 300. The 1963 models were plainer, with square styling that belied their still capable performance. The 1964 300K and 1965 300L were the last two models of the letter series. By 1965, the plain styling of the 300L and the narrow performance gap between it and the base 300 had created an uninspired package. After 1965, the letter series was discontinued.

The garden variety 300 soldiered on until 1971, losing sales and substance as it went along. Chrysler couldn't have picked a better time to pull the plug on the aging model, as allowing it to last any longer would have exposed it to stringent emissions regulations that instantly would have robbed the car of the only virtue it really had left—power. Even the very last 300 had a 440ci V8 that had a tremendous output compared to any American offering of the mid-1970's.

History has ignored any shortcomings of the largely average 300 produced from 1966-1971, focusing on the raw power and suave personality of the early letter series. Few American cars before or since have been able to offer so much speed and luxury wrapped in a shell of aesthetic excellence. From 1955 through 1959, the 300s were the uncompromised rulers of the American automotive kingdom—even the 1960-1965 models were superbly executed. Inspiring the successful 2005 Chrysler 300, the early letter series cars have shown that sometimes history is worth repeating.

Sources:

'History of the Chrysler Three Hundred Series.' The Chrysler 300 Site Web.28 Jul 2009. http://www.chrysler300site.com/cgibin/history.cgi.

Nerad, Jack. 'Great Classic Cars: Chrysler C-300.' AntiqueCar.com Web.28 Jul 2009. http://www.antiquecar.com/gc_chrysler_c300.php.

Willson, Quentin. The Ultimate Classic Car Book. First. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.

by Evan Acuña