300C SRT8 Touring Wagon Announced

[Rambit]

Chrysler Introduces High-performance 300C SRT8 Touring to Its International Lineup (Outside North America)

It's available in either left or right hand drive.



Geneva, Feb 28, 2006 (Their date not mine)

Exactly a year since the Chrysler Group introduced the 425-horsepower (317 kW) Chrysler 300C SRT8 for Europe and other markets outside of North America at the 2005 Geneva Show, the Chrysler Group has confirmed that the versatile 300C Touring wagon will also be available as a high-performance SRT model.

Like the sedan, the new high-performance rear-wheel drive version of the already popular Chrysler 300C Touring arrives in international showrooms in the second half of 2006 and will be available in both left- and right-hand drive.
"The HEMI® is a critical ingredient to the success of the Chrysler 300C," said Dan Knott, Director – Street and Racing Technology (SRT), Chrysler Group. "With the two new Chrysler 300C SRT8 models, we are now adding even more horsepower to the HEMI® and even more performance to this charismatic Chrysler."

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring will be as sensational a drive as the sedan and the preliminary performance target is 0-100 km/h in the low five-sec. range. Top speed will be electronically limited to 270 km/h (168 mph).

"With the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring, we're delivering the ultimate performance wagon," said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director, International Sales and Marketing. "With its world-class handling, benchmark braking, functional exterior enhancements, race-inspired interior appointments, versatile cabin and load space and a jaw-dropping 425 horsepower (317 kW), we're sure this new model will capture driving enthusiasts in Europe and other international markets when it goes on sale later this year."

Hausch concluded, "The 300C family provides a unique proposition to European buyers by delivering expressive Chrysler design and, in SRT8 form, immense power – coupled with exceptional cargo volumes, thoughtful features like our unique access rear liftgate on the wagon, premium appointments and state-of-the-art technology."

Design and Amenities
Befitting its high-performance character, the new Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring exterior styling is a sophisticated treatment that resonates with the Chrysler brand's premium character.

Modified front and rear fascias help direct air flow, particularly through unique ducts that help cool the brakes. In addition, a specially designed rear deck spoiler, while refined in appearance, is also functional — increasing rear downforce by 39 percent without increasing drag.

Other unique touches to the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring's exterior include body-colour front and rear bumper inserts, body-colour grille insert with chrome collar, body colour mirrors and door handles, and unique SRT badging.

Two exterior colours are available: Bright Silver and Brilliant Black. The interior is offered in a Light Graystone/Dark Slate combination.

Standard interior features of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring include front seats equipped with heat and memory functions, clad with performance suede inserts that secure occupants during spirited driving. Other features include an adjustable pedal cluster; `technical' leather trim on the steering wheel, shifter and door pulls; and special finishing on interior trim such as on the centre stack. Full instrumentation includes a 290 km/h (180 mph) speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges.

Versatility and Capacity with Extended Cargo Bay
The Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring wagon shares all the major attributes of its sedan sibling, but adds the customer benefit of a 630-litre load area which can be expanded to 1,602 litres with rear seats folded, plus easy access through the unique rear liftgate.

The body of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring shares the strong structure of the sedan, but has unique rear side panels, roof and rear liftgate. The steel liftgate is shaped like an inverted "L," and the hinges are set back over the load area so that the liftgate rises almost vertically and does not require the operator to step back from the vehicle. This unique liftgate architecture also allows for enhanced access to the rear cargo area. The liftgate, fitted with a two-speed wiper and wash system for additional customer convenience, can be unlocked using the button on the key fob and opened by the centrally mounted external handle.

Both the front and rear seats of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring are as spacious and comfortable as those of the Sedan — with near identical head, leg and shoulder room — but the trunk area is 25 percent larger than in the sedan when the rear seats are up. Within its competitive set, Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring offers exceptional minimum and maximum cargo volume — more than Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5-Series Touring and Saab 9-5 Estate.

The load area features a removable, rollaway tonneau cover, large storage bins in each side panel, four cargo tie-down loops and a 12-volt power outlet. The load floor has a removable tri-fold panel that weighs just 7.25 kg (16 lbs.) and can be partially or fully folded, or completely removed. When used, small items can be stored below this floor panel. When removed, the maximum available load height is increased by 102 mm (4.0 in.). An optional cargo-management system is available, which stores below the tri-fold panel. It includes a waterproof liner and folding divider with cargo retaining nets.

Additional cargo can be carried on the optional roof bars that come with two cross bars. Roof bar load capacity is 68 kg (150 lbs.).

Safety and Security Features
Following are safety and security features available on the Chrysler 300C SRT8 Touring:

Advanced multi-stage air bag system: Inflates with a force appropriate to the severity of the impact
Anti-lock brake system: Electronic sensors that help prevent wheel lockup. The standard ABS system offers improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions
Electronic Stability Control (ESC): This standard feature aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability, providing oversteer and understeer control to maintain vehicle behaviour on various road surfaces
Energy-absorbing steering column: Manual-adjust telescoping steering column includes two hydroformed coaxial tubes that move relative to each other, which allows the column to move forward and provide more energy absorption during an impact
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting: This available feature provides 70 percent more light to increase driver visibility, using XENON bulb technology
Rear park assist: This available ultrasonic rear obstacle detection system signals through an audible warning and a rear overhead display to avoid potential collisions.

Rambit

[goddardzilla]

This should market nicely against those AMG Mercedes station wagons.










Zilla

[LSV1970]

MB will use the 6.3 AMG V8 (515HP) on the upcoming E Stw in 2009.
Right now the E55 AMG Stw is pulled by 476HP (Euro version).

I'll be in Geneva in the afternoon on march 2nd. It will be cool !

[xtmracer]

thats my birthday. hoe cool .even though i live in hte states it is still cool. atlease something good is happeing on my B-daY. all the sales at the mall and stuff end on the 28th.

[Redman]

Can it be - life in the American fast lane is getting just too good?
Best of times for sure : )

[E55 KEV]

Originally Posted by LSV1970

MB will use the 6.3 AMG V8 (515HP) on the upcoming E Stw in 2009.
Right now the E55 AMG Stw is pulled by 476HP (Euro version).

I'll be in Geneva in the afternoon on march 2nd. It will be cool !

The E-Class AMG sedan gets the 6.3 liter for 2007 model year (this summer) just like the ML63, CLS63 and CLK63 just introducted in Gevena last week. So the AMG wagon should get it in 2007 also.

[LSV1970]

Geneva opens (public) on march 3rd.
I'll be there during the official opening for business.

You're right, I found out it will be presented a E63 with 510HP.

[FreebirdSRT]

I just hope with the 300 wagon, they don't just replace the magnum front end with a 300 front end. We can do that now, on our own now. Will it be re-styled to a Chrysler look of its own. I know Daimler will not let it look like there down right sexy wagons.

The AMG with 510hp, giddy up little doggy,lol. That is a smokin' grocery getter.

[urbanchemist]

thats basically what a 300C touring is. just a magnum with a 300 front end only it is assembled like that at the factory. i think its cool they are going to make a SRT8 version of it. now that i would like to get. to bad i live in the US

[Rambit]

Here's a couple of Hi Res pics of the SRT8 Touring Wagon to be revealed shortly. Interesting that they have the 300C SRT8 wheels, not the Magnum ones.





Rambit