Chrysler 300C : TORQUE IS CHEAP

Chryslers 300C executive saloon is a big bruiser of a car. June Neary found it an enjoyable experience

Rarely have I come across a car that so obviously wasnt designed for female consumption. A Mafia boss maybe. Me and the family, no. For that, I rather liked the Chrysler 300C.

To be frank, Im rather sick of cars that, in pandering to the needs of families end up rather patronising them. This one is its own hunk of very macho metal and the more I looked at it, the more I liked it.

The 300C is not an especially easy car to manoeuvre about and I was grateful for the rear parking sensors when I needed to reverse it into a parking bay. The high rear shelf limits rearward visibility and youre left with a vague approximation of the 300Cs extremities.

Even with that amount of torque, 1,928kg of car takes some shifting but the engine never sounds strained or harsh. The direct injection unit is very linear in its power delivery and the turbocharger gets going from very low engine speeds. This means that even while trickling about town, letting the engine and gearbox do all the work for you, youll still return reasonable fuel consumption figures. Like every American car Ive tried, the handling isnt quite up to the standard of its key European rivals.

I thought the steering to be somewhat vague and the slow-witted handling does make the 300C feel a little stodgy, an impression backed up by the nautical levels of body roll the car displays if the driver gets a little enthusiastic at the tiller. Despite this relaxed attitude to cornering, the ride quality is surprisingly garrulous. If you drive this car in a straight line it will feel sporty which is doubtless enough for the US domestic market.

The range starts off with the 3.0 V6 CRD diesel version. Youll need to stump up another £1,000 if you want the Touring estate and a premium of £5,000 in both cases if you want the flashier SRT-Design diesel model. The next step is a large one, reaching up to the SRT-8 performance flagship vehicle.

This might seem like a serious slug of cash for a bit of a hot rod but in terms of bhp per pound, it isnt as ostentatious as would first appear. Equipment levels are very competitive across the range with all the basics included and more. Stretch out in that generously proportioned cabin and crank up the excellent Boston Acoustics stereo while ticking off the standard dual-zone climate control and the electrically adjustable drivers seat. Youd need to tack a good £5,000 onto the cost of its German rivals to get anywhere near this.

The entry level cars also get ESP stability control, Bluetooth phone integration and automatic gearboxes at no extra cost. The SRT Design models add a variety of cosmetic upgrades while the SRT-8 is the very definition on the term fully-loaded.

I hadnt realised before I checked out this car just how sick to the teeth I am with sensible, practical family designs. If I was in the market for an Executive saloon and didnt mind making a statement, then yes, Id consider a 300C. Cars designed for women and families? Who needs em.