Chrysler UK Launches Diesel-Powered 300C SRT-Design

Along with the introduction of the slightly revised MY2008 300C in the UK market, Chrysler added a new version into the car’s range, the diesel powered SRT-Design that will be available as a saloon or a Touring. Before you get all puffed up, the SRT-Design is nothing more than a 300C 3.0 V6 CRD 215HP equipped with SRT design elements.

That translates into SRT 20-inch alloy wheels and wheel arch spats as well as a chrome mesh grille on the outside while inside, the SRT-Design features MyGIG satellite navigation, an SRT-8 steering wheel, SRT-8 leather sports seats and carbon fibre interior details. Prices are set at £32,495 or $63,900 for the Saloon and at £33,245 and $65,400 for the Touring model. –Details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE:

CHRYSLER REFRESHES 300C FOR 2008 AND LAUNCHES NEW DIESEL-POWERED SRT MODEL

The Chrysler 300C is already the most striking vehicle on the road for less than £30,000 – and for 2008 Chrysler will make the 300C stand out even more – with a revised exterior and an updated interior across the range. Chrysler will also launch an entirely new model in the UK – the diesel-powered ‘SRT-Design’.

The exterior of the 300C has been refreshed for 2008 with changes to the rear fascia and rear light clusters. The rear saloon boot lid is also new and now incorporates an integrated spoiler and high-mounted stop light.

The interior design has been enhanced with a new instrument panel and centre console design, highlighted with satin silver bezels. Soft touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels add to the comfortable interior while the new dark interior colour adds to the sophisticated feel. A new ignition key with one-touch start-up, a fully adjustable steering wheel as well as LED lighting in the front cup holders and front and rear door pockets all provide additional driver convenience.

In addition, seat-mounted airbags have been added to the front and side-curtain airbags to the rear for increased driver and passenger safety.

The MyGIG infotainment system is a new option that offers owners the very latest integrated onboard systems. There’s MP3 player compatibility, a touch screen controlled navigation system featuring outstandingly clear graphical maps as well as the ability to store up to approximately 1600 songs on an integrated 20GB hard drive. The UConnect Hands-free Communication System uses Bluetooth technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication.

The 300C SRT-Design model includes all of these refinements and adds all the visual enhancements that make the high-performance SRT-8 such a crowd pleaser. The SRT-Design is available as a saloon or a Touring and features the economical 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. SRT-Design features include SRT 20-inch alloy wheels and wheel arch spats as well as a chrome mesh grille. Inside, the SRT-Design gets MyGIG satellite navigation as standard as well as an SRT-8 steering wheel, SRT-8 leather sports seats and carbon fibre interior details.

Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler UK Ltd, said: “We have sold more than 6,000 cars since the launch in 2005 and this means the 300C has been a huge success story for Chrysler in the UK. We have struggled to keep up with customer demand since launch and this sustained popularity has helped make sure that it has maintained a very healthy residual value and this bodes well for our future success.

“While the 300C SRT-8 is still one of the most affordable performance cars on the block the diesel-powered SRT-Design model means you get all the looks with the everyday driving benefits of our 3.0-litre diesel engine. The changes to the interior help take the 300C to a whole new level but the changes do not detract from what has made the 300C such a success – it remains a great looking, well-equipped and a very competitively priced car.”

Standard features on the Chrysler 300C include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and an all-speed Traction Control System, front and rear side-curtain airbags, xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a rear park assist system. A leather interior, air-conditioning and heated driver and front passenger seats also come as standard on all vehicles in the range.

The 2008 300C Saloon comes with a choice of two engines in the UK: a 3.0-litre V-6 engine that produces 215 bhp at 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque from just 1600 rpm, and a mighty 6.1-litre V8 Hemi SRT-8 petrol engine that produces 425 bhp at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft of torque at 4800 rpm. The 2008 300C Touring offers the 3.0-litre V-6 engine.

Prices:

3.0 V6 CRD auto Saloon - £27,495

3.0 V6 CRD auto Touring - £28,495

3.0 V6 CRD SRT-Design auto Saloon - £32,495

3.0 V6 CRD SRT-Design auto Touring - £33,245

6.1 V8 Hemi SRT-8 Petrol auto saloon - £40,995

Interior Specification changes for 2008:
The new interior dashboard materials, colours and textures, along with the new atmospheric lighting, help to lift the ambience of the 300C interior to an even higher level of luxury. Here is a complete list of the improved features:

• MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with MP3 compatibility (optional)
• Satellite navigation, which also includes UConnect (Bluetooth) and MP3 player interface (optional)
• Cupholders in centre console
• Centre console arm rest
• LED lighting in front cup holders and front and rear door pockets
• Single disc CD/DVD radio with MP3 jack
• Dark Slate Grey leather interior

Exterior Specification changes for 2008:

• Rear lamp clusters
• Boot lid and rear lip spoiler
• Centre mounted stop lamp
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Roof mounted antenna
• Automatic headlamps
• Body side mouldings

300C SRT-Design Saloon and Touring (extra specification in addition to standard model):

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• SRT wheel arch spats
• Chrome mesh grille
• MyGIG satellite navigation as standard
• SRT-8 steering wheel
• SRT-8 leather sports seats
• SRT-8 door trim
• SRT-8 body coloured exterior mirrors and door handles
• Carbon fibre interior details
• Upgraded Boston Acoustic Audio system (saloon only)