A Fond Farewell to the Chrysler 300
2023 marked the end of an automaking era—as of December 31st, the Chrysler 300 was officially taken out of production, meaning no new models will be made from here on out.
The 300 has been a staple luxury car for decades, renowned for its ballistic engine options and roomy, well-appointed interior, but with electric cars on the rise and gas prices ever fluctuating, parent company Stellantis has decided to shift their focus. So, the 300 is no more. Rather than mourning the loss though, we’ve decided to celebrate its legacy and look back on why it’s still one of the best full-size luxury cars around.
History of the Chrysler 300
The modern version has been around since the mid-aughts, but the 300 nameplate has actually existed in some shape or form since the ‘50s.
Letter Series, Mid ‘50s to Mid ‘60s
The very first 300 was released for the 1955 model year and was named the C-300, although some collectors have retroactively dubbed it the 300A. It derived its name from the burly 300 horsepower engine, and it was billed as “America’s Most Powerful Car.”
It was one of the first production models to feature the prototype of the almighty HEMI V8 engine, although back in that day, it was known as the Chrysler FirePower engine. Many automotive historians consider the C-300 to be one of the very first American muscle cars.
This era of 300 ran for roughly a decade, with each subsequent year receiving its own letter designation—1956 saw the 300B, 1957 saw the 300C, and so on until its discontinuation.
Sport Series and Hurst 300, Mid ‘60s to Early ‘70s
Alongside the Letter Series, Chrysler released a less expensive run of 300 models, sometimes known as the “non-letter series.” This segment of the fleet was intended to compete with other muscle cars of the time, while offering a greater focus on luxury amenities and styling.
In 1970, the limited-edition performance Hurst 300 was released. It features a rowdy TNT V8 engine, and less than 500 were produced.
After a good run, 300 production was halted in 1971. Aside from an optional 300 package offered on the Cordoba in 1979, the name disappeared for years.
300M, Late ‘90s to Mid ‘00s
After nearly 20 years, it was resurrected as the 300M, named as an homage to the Letter Series of the previous generation.
Despite bearing the 300 badge, it bore little resemblance to any other production 300. It was smaller than previous models and had a V6 under the hood. However, it still offered many cutting-edge luxury features and was quite well-received, even earning a place on Car and Driver’s 10Best list in its first year.
Modern 300, Mid ‘00s to Present
Hot on the tail of the 300M, the now-familiar 300 saw its debut in 2005. It was seen as a return to form by many, as it had much larger proportions, rear-wheel drive, and an option for the HEMI V8 engine. The first-gen model, which ran until 2010, was also available in a station wagon body style.
The second-gen Chrysler 300 came out in 2011, and continued until just last month, when the final model rolled off the line at the Brampton, Ontario production facility.
The Chrysler 300 Today
2023 may officially be the last year that the 300 ever sees production, but make no mistake, it’s still a force to be reckoned with.
There are multiple engine options, depending on trim. The Touring and Touring L trims feature the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, which puts out 292 ponies, while the 300S V6 has a slightly beefed-up engine with an even 300 hp, in a nod to the classic C-300 model. A 5.7L HEMI V8 engine is also available, and it cranks out 363 horsies. The 300 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for Touring trims.
For those with a true need for speed, Chrysler brought the 300C back for its final year, and it has an outrageous 485 horsepower 6.4L HEMI motor, which can motivate it from zero to sixty in under five seconds. It has a number of performance parts as well, like Brembo brakes and sport-tuned suspension.
As a large luxury car, the 300 has always been a suitably spacious offering. It has over 16 cubic feet of cargo volume, and the cabin boasts ample head, leg, and shoulder room dimensions for adults in the front and rear rows.
Another area the 300 shines is its comfort and tech features. It benefits from the largest touch screen display in its class, which measures 8.4 inches and sits positioned below the elegantly-designed analog clock. Infotainment is powered by the Uconnect 4C operating system, and it features Voice Command, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth Sirius XM, and an integrated 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.
Available ADAS includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go settings, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and full-speed forward collision warning with active braking.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Buy the Best Large Luxury Car
Now that no new models are being made, we can’t think of a more perfect opportunity to score a new Chrysler 300 for yourself. If you’re interested in owning a piece of history, contact us at McCarthy Jeep RAM Chrysler Dodge while we still have them in stock, and be sure to ask about our new vehicle specials at our dealership outside Kansas City.