|
|
 |
IT DOESN'T MATTER how much more luggage space the Chrysler 300C Touring offers over the sedan variant, which incidentally is an additional 126 litres, bringing the total to 630 with the rear seats in place (and 1,602 litres when the back bench is folded). Instead, those shopping for one will probably be more interested in knowing how much cooler it is in wagon form.
Going by the response of passers-by, the Touring never failed to make a head turn everywhere it was driven. From just about every age group, the Chrysler estate got the nod of approval.
From the front end, the Touring is essentially identical to the 300C sedan with its gate-like grille and squared-out proportions. Come around to the back, and the car's cool quotient rises by a few notches with a sloping rear section.
Viewed in profile, the Touring takes on a silhouette similar to the classic shooting brakes that were popular in the 1960s.
Interestingly, this is one car that you also felt very much at home in no matter what music was being played through its superb, seven-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system.
Whether it was from The Beach Boys or The Beastie Boys, the sound system was not only adept at pumping out tunes with aplomb, its vault-like cabin also kept out external noises impressively, effectively turning the 300C Touring into studio on wheels.
As with the sedan, the 'default' 300C Touring is powered by the same 249bhp 3.5-litre V6 unit that pulls duty in the sedan.
Chrysler does make the 422bhp, 6.1-litre SRT8 version in Touring guise as well, but for now, the local Chrysler dealer says that it will only look into bringing it in if there?s enough interest...
Although the Touring has an additional kerb weight of 70kg over the 300C sedan, Chrysler quotes the same performance figures for both cars. Even so, progress in the V6-powered model feels relaxed rather than rapid.
If you're in no particular hurry, the 300C's cabin is a comfortable place to be. More so if you're in the back seat of the Touring as the angle of the backrest can be adjusted to suit your preferred seating position.
Much of the 300's comfort and refinement also comes by way of the car having inherited its underpinnings from the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Those familiar with the latter will also recognise the 300C's single indicator stalk and the way its five-speed automatic gearbox works.
Left on its own in 'D', the Touring's gearbox selects its ratios well enough for most drivers not to bother using the AutoStick manual override function, where you?ll need to nudge the lever to the left for downshifts and to the right if you want a higher gear.
When it comes to family cars, style and practicality are seldom found in the same car and those looking to bridge the generational gap with their kids often are unlikely to find it in an MPV.
With the Touring, you won't just be a dad. You'll be Daddy Cool.
Going by the response of passers-by, the Touring never failed to make a head turn everywhere it was driven. From just about every age group, the Chrysler estate got the nod of approval.
From the front end, the Touring is essentially identical to the 300C sedan with its gate-like grille and squared-out proportions. Come around to the back, and the car's cool quotient rises by a few notches with a sloping rear section.
Viewed in profile, the Touring takes on a silhouette similar to the classic shooting brakes that were popular in the 1960s.
Interestingly, this is one car that you also felt very much at home in no matter what music was being played through its superb, seven-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system.
Whether it was from The Beach Boys or The Beastie Boys, the sound system was not only adept at pumping out tunes with aplomb, its vault-like cabin also kept out external noises impressively, effectively turning the 300C Touring into studio on wheels.
As with the sedan, the 'default' 300C Touring is powered by the same 249bhp 3.5-litre V6 unit that pulls duty in the sedan.
Chrysler does make the 422bhp, 6.1-litre SRT8 version in Touring guise as well, but for now, the local Chrysler dealer says that it will only look into bringing it in if there?s enough interest...
Although the Touring has an additional kerb weight of 70kg over the 300C sedan, Chrysler quotes the same performance figures for both cars. Even so, progress in the V6-powered model feels relaxed rather than rapid.
If you're in no particular hurry, the 300C's cabin is a comfortable place to be. More so if you're in the back seat of the Touring as the angle of the backrest can be adjusted to suit your preferred seating position.
Much of the 300's comfort and refinement also comes by way of the car having inherited its underpinnings from the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Those familiar with the latter will also recognise the 300C's single indicator stalk and the way its five-speed automatic gearbox works.
Left on its own in 'D', the Touring's gearbox selects its ratios well enough for most drivers not to bother using the AutoStick manual override function, where you?ll need to nudge the lever to the left for downshifts and to the right if you want a higher gear.
When it comes to family cars, style and practicality are seldom found in the same car and those looking to bridge the generational gap with their kids often are unlikely to find it in an MPV.
With the Touring, you won't just be a dad. You'll be Daddy Cool.
SAAB 9-5 SPORTCOMBI AERO 2.3T (A) $186,888 with COE
Chrysler says that its 300C Touring will swallow more luggage than the Saab but buyers in this segment will more likely be interested in style and performance, the latter quality is something the Swedish car has in spades. The Chrysler does offer the smoothness of a V6, but turbo die-hards will better appreciate the 9-5's 260bhp turbocharged four-cylinder unit.
3,518cc, longitudinally-mounted V6
249bhp at 6400rpm
340Nm at 3800rpm
5-speed automatic
219km/h
9.2 seconds
$158,000 with COE
3 years / 100,000km
Chrysler Jeep Automotive of Singapore
6479-3333
PLUSES
Attitude, and lots of it. You?ll never be accused of driving something anonymousMINUSES
Performance can be a little underwhelming. The 422bhp SRT8 should solve this quite nicely. Tell the local dealer that you need oneVERDICT
The 300C Touring is a cool, yet practical car that everyone in the family will enjoy |
| Pick up your FREE copy of CarBuyer at all major car showrooms; car accessory and tyre distributors and car service, inspection centres and Shell service stations. CarBuyer is published twice a month, and new issues are available one week after COE results are released. |