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2008 Chrysler 300 Sedan
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What Changed for 2008:
Chrysler replaced the front-wheel-drive Concorde for the 2005 model year by re-launching the full-size, rear-wheel-driven, V-8-powered American sedan in the form of the 300. All-wheel drive (AWD) and V-6 power were also offered, and in 2007 Chrysler added a long-wheelbase version with 6 more inches between the front and rear axles. With its Bentley-like exterior design, the 300 has looked more like a luxury car than a standard-sized American sedan since it was released. Despite a 2008 exterior refresh, the 300 maintains that luxury look.
The Chrysler 300 has seating for 5, and the extra length of the long-wheelbase body style manifests itself as rear-seat leg room. The Chrysler 300 lineup is topped by the high-performance 300C SRT8 model with a 425-hp V-8 engine.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Chrysler 300 lineup includes 10 different models, including five trim levels, rear-wheel drive (RWD), AWD, and long-wheelbase versions. The list starts with the RWD Chrysler 300 LX that comes with cloth upholstery, 8-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD player, and P215/65R17 tires on steel wheels with hub caps. The Touring trim level is offered for RWD, AWD, and long-wheelbase models. It adds leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum wheels and fog lamps. AWD Touring models have P225/60R18 tires on chromed aluminum wheels. The Limited trim level comes in RWD or AWD. It adds a firmer touring suspension, heated front seats, 8-way power passenger seat, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, a vehicle information center, and one year of Sirius satellite radio. The 300C trim is available for RWD, AWD, or the long-wheelbase body style. It has a power tilt/telescoping steering column; memory for the driver’s seat, mirrors, steering wheel and pedals; remote engine starting; and rain-sensing wipers. The high-performance SRT8 model has leather and suede upholstery, Boston Acoustics audio with 6-disc CD changer, rear spoiler, Xenon headlights, performance suspension, Brembo brakes, and P245/45R20 front and P255/45R20 rear performance tires on aluminum wheels.
Options include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, now available with Sirius Backseat TV; a sunroof; Chrysler’s UConnect hands-free cell phone link that adds an iPod interface for 2008; and Chrysler’s new MyGIG hard-drive radio and navigation system.
Powertrain
The 2008 Chrysler 300’s architecture, internally called LX, shares elements of the last-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. Four engines and two transmissions are offered. The base LX model has a 2.7-liter, dual-overhead-cam V-6 generating 178 hp and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. It is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 300 Touring model uses a 3.5-liter, single-overhead-cam V-6 that produces 250 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission with Chrysler's AutoStick manual-shift feature. The 300C uses Chrysler’s Hemi 5.7-liter, overhead-valve V-8, delivering 340 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The SRT8 has a larger, 6.1-liter version of the Hemi that develops 425 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The SRT8 also has a 5-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the 2.7-liter V-6; 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway for the 3.5-liter V-6; 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the 5.7-liter V-8; and 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway for the 6.1-liter V-8.
Safety
All 2008 Chrysler 300s have dual-stage front air bags. Head-protecting side curtain air bags, torso-protecting front side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control are standard on all but the LX model, where they’re optional. Also optional are rear park assist and a tire-pressure monitor. The Chrysler 300 has earned a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for front-impact crash protection.
Technology
The 2008 Chrysler 300C SRT8 model has a “Reconfigurable Display” located in the vehicle information center. It displays what Chrysler calls “performance pages.” This feature can provide readouts of lateral and longitudinal G forces, 1/8- and 1/4-mile time and speed, 0-60 mph time, and braking distance.
MyGIG comes in two versions: the MyGIG Entertainment System, which has a 6.5-inch touch screen and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to hold songs and pictures; and the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System, which adds a navigation system with voice control and real-time traffic information.
- Refreshed front and rear fascias, front grille, side moldings and decklid
- New instrument cluster, instrument panel, center console, cruise control stalk, and door trim panels
- Base model now called LX
- Adaptive cruise control newly available
- MyGIG hard-drive radio now offered
- Sirius Backseat TV offered
- UConnect hands-free cell phone link now has iPod interface
Chrysler replaced the front-wheel-drive Concorde for the 2005 model year by re-launching the full-size, rear-wheel-driven, V-8-powered American sedan in the form of the 300. All-wheel drive (AWD) and V-6 power were also offered, and in 2007 Chrysler added a long-wheelbase version with 6 more inches between the front and rear axles. With its Bentley-like exterior design, the 300 has looked more like a luxury car than a standard-sized American sedan since it was released. Despite a 2008 exterior refresh, the 300 maintains that luxury look.
The Chrysler 300 has seating for 5, and the extra length of the long-wheelbase body style manifests itself as rear-seat leg room. The Chrysler 300 lineup is topped by the high-performance 300C SRT8 model with a 425-hp V-8 engine.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Chrysler 300 lineup includes 10 different models, including five trim levels, rear-wheel drive (RWD), AWD, and long-wheelbase versions. The list starts with the RWD Chrysler 300 LX that comes with cloth upholstery, 8-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD player, and P215/65R17 tires on steel wheels with hub caps. The Touring trim level is offered for RWD, AWD, and long-wheelbase models. It adds leather seating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum wheels and fog lamps. AWD Touring models have P225/60R18 tires on chromed aluminum wheels. The Limited trim level comes in RWD or AWD. It adds a firmer touring suspension, heated front seats, 8-way power passenger seat, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable pedals, a vehicle information center, and one year of Sirius satellite radio. The 300C trim is available for RWD, AWD, or the long-wheelbase body style. It has a power tilt/telescoping steering column; memory for the driver’s seat, mirrors, steering wheel and pedals; remote engine starting; and rain-sensing wipers. The high-performance SRT8 model has leather and suede upholstery, Boston Acoustics audio with 6-disc CD changer, rear spoiler, Xenon headlights, performance suspension, Brembo brakes, and P245/45R20 front and P255/45R20 rear performance tires on aluminum wheels.
Options include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, now available with Sirius Backseat TV; a sunroof; Chrysler’s UConnect hands-free cell phone link that adds an iPod interface for 2008; and Chrysler’s new MyGIG hard-drive radio and navigation system.
Powertrain
The 2008 Chrysler 300’s architecture, internally called LX, shares elements of the last-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. Four engines and two transmissions are offered. The base LX model has a 2.7-liter, dual-overhead-cam V-6 generating 178 hp and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. It is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 300 Touring model uses a 3.5-liter, single-overhead-cam V-6 that produces 250 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission with Chrysler's AutoStick manual-shift feature. The 300C uses Chrysler’s Hemi 5.7-liter, overhead-valve V-8, delivering 340 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The SRT8 has a larger, 6.1-liter version of the Hemi that develops 425 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The SRT8 also has a 5-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the 2.7-liter V-6; 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway for the 3.5-liter V-6; 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the 5.7-liter V-8; and 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway for the 6.1-liter V-8.
Safety
All 2008 Chrysler 300s have dual-stage front air bags. Head-protecting side curtain air bags, torso-protecting front side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, and electronic stability control are standard on all but the LX model, where they’re optional. Also optional are rear park assist and a tire-pressure monitor. The Chrysler 300 has earned a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for front-impact crash protection.
Technology
The 2008 Chrysler 300C SRT8 model has a “Reconfigurable Display” located in the vehicle information center. It displays what Chrysler calls “performance pages.” This feature can provide readouts of lateral and longitudinal G forces, 1/8- and 1/4-mile time and speed, 0-60 mph time, and braking distance.
MyGIG comes in two versions: the MyGIG Entertainment System, which has a 6.5-inch touch screen and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to hold songs and pictures; and the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System, which adds a navigation system with voice control and real-time traffic information.