CHRYSLER is renowned for making statements with unique, often strange-looking vehicles - some are welcomed, some not, but they always seem to prove a hit with the buyers.
Take, for example, the PT Cruiser - it looked like a 1920s mobster car and the only thing missing was the automatically-opening roof so a gang of gun-toting Mafia-style baddies could appear spraying bullets. Despite that, there was a waiting list at showrooms across the UK.
Then there was the Crossfire - a great drive, but a very dated look, almost back to the MGB GT era, but again one for collectors to snap up.
And now, the latest venture into the Chrysler range - the mighty 300C complete with all its luxury, refinement and ever-powerful V6 engine.
From the moment you sink into the armchair-like heated leather seats, adjust all the controls to the perfect driving position and then glide away from a standing start, the 300C offers a special ride.
OK, it’s not the fastest, it’s not the most luxurious or the most gadget-ridden of cars, but the combination of all these attributes does make it a great all-round drive.
Designed from the ground up, there are little touches of luxury everywhere you look and, more importantly, most come as standard.
There is memory controls for the driver’s seat and steering wheel, air filtration, air con with infrared sensing and a patented faux tortoise shell interior to add that little extra chic!
The drive is a comfortable one as it smoothly goes through the automatic gearbox with ease, and road-holding is excellent.
The 300C comes with a whole host of safety features including electronic stability programme, traction control, anti-lock brakes, emergency brake assist, plus a range of other specifications to make driving even easier, like rain-sensing windscreen wipers, ultrasonic rear parking sensor and a tyre pressure monitor to name but a few.
All in all, the 300c is a great drive - it offers plenty of top-notch features, reasonable economy and great creature comforts all at a price that clearly is attractive to drivers looking to clock up the business mileage.
FAST FACTS
Chrysler 300C 3.5 V6
Price: £25,795
Mechanical: 250bhp, 3,518cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 5spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 136mph
0-62mph: 9.2 secs
Combined mpg: 25.7
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 262g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 7yrs paint, 7yrs anti-rust