Chrysler 300 has power, panache

Chrysler is back! The jury has been out since the company's brush with bankruptcy and bail-out, but the news that Chrysler is paying back Canada and the U.S., $7.5 Billion in government loans together with the arrival of 16 new or improved models, is proof positive that the third member of the Big Three is alive and well once more.

Leading the charge is the new Chrysler 300. First introduced in 2005 during the partnership with Mercedes-Benz, it signaled a shift from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive for the company's flagship large sedan. Designed in-house by Ralph Gilles, the 300 had an immediate visual impact with its Bentley-esque nose, broad shoulders and commanding presence, heightened by the knowledge that a brooding 340-horsepower Hemi V8 was lurking under the hood.

Fast forward to 2010.

The new 300 retains its basic shape but the frontal aspect has lost the brutish character of its predecessor. The new nose is less square and the revised chrome grille with seven horizontal slats and elegant winged Chrysler hood emblem suggest a new refinement without so much flexing of the muscles. The headlight clusters, for example, have a slimmer, more elegant keyhole shape that better defines the fenders, and feature diamond-like LED clusters for the Daytime Running Lights. Handsome multi-spoke, 20-inch polished aluminum rims complete the picture. Think iron fist in velvet glove.

Four models are offered for 2011, the 300 Touring, 300 Limited, 300C and 300C AWD. Base engine is the new Pentastar V6 that provides Best-in-Class 292-horsepower and delivers 7.3 L/100 km (39 MPG) on the highway. The optional Hemi V8 pumps out 363 horsepower and a meaty 394 lb-ft of torque without becoming a gas-guzzler. Thanks to Fuel Saver Technology, it can seamlessly switch from 8 to 4 cylinders during cruising, earning a remarkable 8.0 L/100 km (35 MPG) on the highway. Standard transmission is a smooth and rugged 5-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode.

Our tester was the Hemi-powered 300C finished in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl with Black Nappa Leather-faced seating. If you think the exterior styling has reached a new level of sophistication, wait until you get inside.

In terms of quality, craftsmanship and convenience - including numerous exclusive or Best-in-Class features - the 300 cabin meets or exceeds a level of luxury found only in the most exotic, and far more expensive sedans from Europe and Japan.

Slip into the driver' seat and get comfortable. The four-spoke, power adjustable steering wheel with real wood upper and leather-wrapped lower sections provides class-exclusive 360-degree heating and fingertip controls for audio, cruise, Voice Command and Uconnect functions. You -- and the front seat passenger -- enjoy heated and ventilated seats with 12-way power adjustments and active head restraints. Power adjustable pedals ensure you can tailor the perfect driving position while two memory settings allow you to set seat, steering wheel, pedals, radio pre-sets and outside power adjustable mirrors.

A Vehicle Information Centre display sits between the main speedometer and tachometer gauges. Controlled by steering wheel buttons it lets you scroll through data such as fuel economy, distance to empty, tire pressures, fluid levels, ambient temperature and compass direction. The main gauges and secondary switchgear are illuminated with soft, soothing blue backlighting.

All four doors open wide to 90-degrees making entry and exit a lot easier than in most competitive sedans while rear seat passengers enjoy tons of head, shoulder and leg room, plus the comfort of heated seats. They also enjoy the largest, two-panel panoramic sunroof in its class and power rear backlight sunshade.

The black, soft-textured dashboard surfaces are complemented by the use of satin chrome and chrome trim to highlight gauges, steering wheel controls and air vents. Polished, Black Comodo Elm panels add a rich quality to the centre console with its chrome trimmed shift gate and covered storage bin with dual heated, cooled and illuminated cup holders. The centre stack is dominated by a bold 8.4-inch touch screen (largest in class) that is the heart of the media system. This is without doubt, the easiest, most intuitive touch screen I have seen in any vehicle. It lets you use your voice-activated Bluetooth cellphone, AM/FM and Sirius Satellite Radio (with one year complimentary service), CD and MP3 player. It even understands commands in English, French and Spanish. The Premium Alpine Sound System features nine speakers and 506 watts of amplified, speed-sensitive volume.