Wagons-ho for Chrysler’s 300C Touring

CHRYSLER’S 300C juggernaut continues this month with the release of the 300C Touring – the first wagon to become available in Australia’s upper large vehicle segment.

Priced from $56,990 for the entry-level 300C Touring V6, the wagon version of Chrysler’s popular 300C comes with a $3000 price premium over the sedan and is available with no fewer than four engines.

While the 185kW/340Nm 3.5-litre SOHC V6 version opens the 300C Touring range, next up is the 160kW/510Nm turbo-diesel 3.0-litre V6-powered CRD, priced at $60,990, followed by the 250kW/525Nm 5.7-litre HEMI V8 variant, which employs the sedan’s fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System and is priced at $62,990.

Like the 300C sedan range, the Touring line-up will be topped by a 317kW 6.1-litre HEMI V8 SRT-8 flagship, which is due on sale here by late this year and will be priced upwards of the SRT-8 sedan ($71,990).

All 300C Touring variants come standard with the same five-speed Autostick automatic transmission as the sedan, which also shares its Benz E-class-based suspension components and rack-and-pinion steering with the wagon.

Most significantly, the Touring extends 300C’s cargo space to a total of 1602 litres and offers 545 litres with the rear seats in use – up from the sedan’s 504-litre boot.

Forward of the A-pillars it’s identical to the 300C sedan, which has captured 30 per cent of the upper large under $100,000 market segment (in which Holden’s Statesman/Caprice and Ford’s Fairlane/LTD also compete) since its release here last year. The 300C SRT-8 and CRD sedans were launched Down Under in May and June respectively.

Of course, the 300C Touring also offers a unique roof and rear side panels, as well as an internal outboard storage bins, a removable cargo cover, four tie-down loops, a 12-volt power outlet, a removable tri-fold floor panel and what Chrysler claims is a unique, wide-access liftgate.

Forming an upside-down L-shape, its forward-mounted hinges allow the tailgate to open almost vertically, making stepping back from it unnecessary. Optional roofbars add 68kg of roof capacity.

Touring variants feature the same equipment as their sedan counterparts, meaning worthwhile safety features like ESP stability control, traction control, ABS, emergency brake assist, twin front airbags and front and rear-side airbags are standard across the range.

All 300C Touring variants also get, as standard: Xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear park assist, dual-zone climate-control, leather trim, heated front seats, trip computer, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with driver’s memory, cruise control, analogue clock, a 276-Watt/six-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system, 18-inch alloy wheels, self-levelling rear suspension and a 60/40-split, folding rear seat.

Both V6 versions come with patented tortoise shell interior accents, while the 5.7 HEMI offers California walnut wood accents and a six-CD stacker.

"The Chrysler 300C Touring must be the best looking wagon on the road today," said Chrysler Group Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins.

"The 300C Touring offers acres of cargo space without losing any of its looks and still manages to deliver with its on-road performance and great value for money."

2006 Chrysler 300C pricing:

300C 3.5 V6 sedan (a) - $53,990
300C 3.5 V6 Touring (a) - $56,990
300C 3.0 CRD sedan (a) - $57,990
300C 3.0 CRD Touring (a) - $60,990
300C 5.7 V8 sedan (a) - $59,990
300C 5.7 V8 Touring (a) - $62,990
300C 6.1 SRT-8 sedan (a) - $71,990
300C 6.1 SRT-8 Touring (a) - TBA