Chrysler 300M
| Chrysler 300M | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (DaimlerChrysler) |
| Production | 1998–2004 |
| Model years | 1999–2004 |
| Assembly | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury sports sedan |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler LH platform |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed 42LE automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 113.0 in (2,870 mm) |
| Length | 197.8 in (5,024 mm) |
| Width | 74.4 in (1,890 mm) |
| Height |
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| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Eagle Vision |
| Successor | Chrysler 300 (2004) |
The Chrysler 300M is a full-sized luxury sports sedan that was produced by Chrysler from 1998 to 2004. It is a front-wheel drive, 255 hp (190 kW; 259 PS) V6 engined car using the Chrysler LH platform. It was 10 inches (254 mm) shorter than the Chrysler Concorde to make it exportable to Europe as a sports sedan, and was priced above the Concorde. The 300M was positioned just below the flagship LHS (1999–2001) and Concorde Limited (2002–2004).
Chrysler redesigned the LH-cars in 1998. The Eagle Vision filled the "import-fighter" segment and its second-generation replacement was benchmarked against the BMW 5-series. However, the entire Eagle line was dropped by Chrysler. The automaker brought back the "300" model name, although the cars were not rear-wheel-drive, nor did they have engines rated at 300 horsepower as did the historic models. It also didn't feature the traditional "cross-hair" grille of previous 300 models, as by the mid-1980s it had been adopted by sister division Dodge for its entire model line.
Had the Eagle brand not been dropped, the 300M would instead be sold as a redesigned Vision. Test cars, factory manuals, and design images were prepared for the second-generation Vision featuring a prominent Eagle badge on the grille. The 300M was similar in exterior and almost identical in the interior as the Concorde. The 300M also fit the European "5 metre" (16.4 ft) size class for exports to Europe, unlike the substantially similar, yet larger Chrysler LHS. It had the same wheelbase as the Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and pre-2002 Chrysler Concorde, reducing its length by cutting front and rear overhangs.
Only one engine was available, the Chrysler-engineered 3.5 L V6, initially created for first-generation LH vehicles and revamped for the newer LH line. It was shared with the Plymouth Prowler and a limited edition R/T variant of the second-generation Dodge Intrepid. The engine was shared with the LHS and rebadged Concorde (2002–2004). For 1999, it was rated at 253 hp (189 kW; 257 PS), and 255 lb·ft (346 N·m) of torque. It was connected to the 42LE, a four-speed automatic transmission with Autostick, which allowed manual selection of gears. Standard gear ratio on the 300M was 3.66:1.
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