The
Chrysler 300M is a sedan produced by
ChryslerChrysler Group, LLC is an American automobile manufacturer headquartered in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. From 1998 to 2007, Chrysler and its subsidiaries were part of the German based DaimlerChrysler AG...
from 1999 to 2004. Chrysler Corporation revived the
300 nameThe Chrysler 300 "letter series" were high-performance luxury cars built in very limited numbers by the Chrysler Corporation in the United States between 1955 and 1965...
on the
300M. This time it was a
front-wheel driveFront-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
,
V6 engineA V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
d car using the
Chrysler LH platformThe LH platform served as the basis for the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and other models. The platform pioneered Daimler Chrysler 's "cab-forward" design; featured on several Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, and Plymouth cars in the 1990's and early 2000's.- Development...
. While not technically part of the famous "letter series" of the 1950s and 1960s, Chrysler did use the next letter after the last of the series, the 300L. It was shorter than the
Chrysler ConcordeThe Chrysler Concorde is a large four-door, full-size, front wheel drive sedan produced by Chrysler from 1993 to 2004. It replaced the Chrysler Fifth Avenue on the lineup. One of Chrysler's 3 original Chrysler LH platform models derived from the American Motors/Renault-designed Eagle Premier, it...
, and was priced above the Concorde. The 300M was a luxury car as opposed to the mainstream status on the Concorde, and, along with the
LHSThe Chrysler LHS is a full-size, front wheel drive car based on the Chrysler LH platform. It was Chrysler's flagship model from 1994 to 2001....
, was portrayed as one of Chrysler's "flagship" vehicles.
When Chrysler redesigned the
LH-carsThe LH platform served as the basis for the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and other models. The platform pioneered Daimler Chrysler 's "cab-forward" design; featured on several Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, and Plymouth cars in the 1990's and early 2000's.- Development...
in 1998, the
Eagle VisionThe Eagle Vision was a full-size, front-wheel drive sports sedan. It was produced by the Eagle division of the Chrysler Corporation, replacing the AMC/Renault-designed Eagle Premier . It is similar to the first generation Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS and final generation Chrysler...
was discontinued.
The
Chrysler 300M is a sedan produced by
ChryslerChrysler Group, LLC is an American automobile manufacturer headquartered in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. From 1998 to 2007, Chrysler and its subsidiaries were part of the German based DaimlerChrysler AG...
from 1999 to 2004. Chrysler Corporation revived the
300 nameThe Chrysler 300 "letter series" were high-performance luxury cars built in very limited numbers by the Chrysler Corporation in the United States between 1955 and 1965...
on the
300M. This time it was a
front-wheel driveFront-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
,
V6 engineA V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
d car using the
Chrysler LH platformThe LH platform served as the basis for the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and other models. The platform pioneered Daimler Chrysler 's "cab-forward" design; featured on several Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, and Plymouth cars in the 1990's and early 2000's.- Development...
. While not technically part of the famous "letter series" of the 1950s and 1960s, Chrysler did use the next letter after the last of the series, the 300L. It was shorter than the
Chrysler ConcordeThe Chrysler Concorde is a large four-door, full-size, front wheel drive sedan produced by Chrysler from 1993 to 2004. It replaced the Chrysler Fifth Avenue on the lineup. One of Chrysler's 3 original Chrysler LH platform models derived from the American Motors/Renault-designed Eagle Premier, it...
, and was priced above the Concorde. The 300M was a luxury car as opposed to the mainstream status on the Concorde, and, along with the
LHSThe Chrysler LHS is a full-size, front wheel drive car based on the Chrysler LH platform. It was Chrysler's flagship model from 1994 to 2001....
, was portrayed as one of Chrysler's "flagship" vehicles.
Vehicle
When Chrysler redesigned the
LH-carsThe LH platform served as the basis for the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, Eagle Vision, and other models. The platform pioneered Daimler Chrysler 's "cab-forward" design; featured on several Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, and Plymouth cars in the 1990's and early 2000's.- Development...
in 1998, the
Eagle VisionThe Eagle Vision was a full-size, front-wheel drive sports sedan. It was produced by the Eagle division of the Chrysler Corporation, replacing the AMC/Renault-designed Eagle Premier . It is similar to the first generation Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS and final generation Chrysler...
was discontinued. In order to fill the "import-fighter" gap, a position held by the Vision,
ChryslerChrysler Group, LLC is an American automobile manufacturer headquartered in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. From 1998 to 2007, Chrysler and its subsidiaries were part of the German based DaimlerChrysler AG...
brought back the 300 name. Chrysler once stated that if the
EagleEagle was a marque of the Chrysler Corporation following the purchase of American Motors Corporation and aimed at the enthusiast driver....
brand had not been dropped, the 300M would instead be sold as a redesigned Vision. Indeed, design images surfaced on the
InternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standardized Internet Protocol Suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
showing a 300M with an Eagle badge on the grille. The 300M was similar in exterior and almost identical in the interior as the Concorde. The 300M also fit the
EuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains , and the Black Sea to the southeast...
an "5 metre" (16.4 foot) size class for export, unlike the substantially similar, yet larger LHS. It had the same wheelbase as the
Dodge IntrepidThe Dodge Intrepid is a large four-door, full-size, front-wheel drive sedan car model that was produced for model years 1993 to 2004. It was mechanically related to the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler New Yorker, Eagle Vision, and also the 300M sedans...
, Eagle Vision, and pre-2002 Chrysler Concorde, reducing its length by cutting front and rear overhangs.
Only one engine was available, the Chrysler-engineered
3.5 L V6The single overhead cam V6 introduced in 1993 was a major advancement for Chrysler. It was derived from Chrysler's first homegrown front-wheel drive V6, the Chrysler 3.3 engine, and remains in production today. The SOHC V6 is likely to be replaced by the Chrysler Phoenix engine by 2013.There are...
, initially created for first-generation LH vehicles and revamped for the newer LH line. It was shared with the
Plymouth ProwlerThe Plymouth Prowler is a "retro" styled production car built in 1997 and 1999-2002. The Prowler was based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.-Design:...
and a limited edition
R/TR/T is the performance moniker used on Dodge automobiles since the sixties . R/T stands for Road/Track . R/T models come with R/T badging, better suspension, tires, brakes, and more power. Some models come with monotone paint and stripes, as well as aggressive body parts...
variant of the second-generation Dodge Intrepid. It was not used on another vehicle until the arrival of the
Chrysler PacificaThe Chrysler Pacifica is a mid-size crossover, introduced by Chrysler and marketed from model years 2004 to 2008.The CUV was inspired by the 1999 Chrysler Pacifica and 2000 Chrysler Citadel concept cars....
in 2004. For 1999, it was rated at , and of torque. It was connected to the 42LE, a four-speed
automatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
with
AutostickAutostick has been used both for a Volkswagen semi-auto transmission and a system designed by Chrysler which allows for manual selection of gears with an automatic transmission. Another similar system designed by Porsche is called Tiptronic...
, which allowed manual selection of gears. Standard gear ratio on the 300M was 3.66:1. The 300M Special was offered beginning midyear of 2002. This model included imitation-carbon-fiber interior trim panels, replacing the woodgrain trim panels (which come in the standard 300M), 3.5 liter engine on 91+ octane with of torque, and a 3.89 final drive ratio. Performance dual exhaust, high-intensity discharge headlamps, and 18-inch Z-rated wheels and tires were also standard on the Special. Other standard features of the Special included premium "Waterfall" leather seats, signal mirrors, body cladding, and slightly lower ride height.
For the 2004 model year, Chrysler offered the Platinum Series 300M to coincide with the company's 20th anniversary of the minivan (Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town And County/Plymouth Voyager). In addition to the 300M, a five other vehicles were offered as Platinum Series: the Sebring Convertible, PT Cruiser, Sebring Sedan, Sebring Coupe, and Town & Country.
The Platinum Series 300M was available only in exclusive paint finishes: Graphite Metallic, Bright Silver Metallic or Brilliant Black Crystal. Other special features include: Deep Slate/Light Taupe two-tone interior, chrome door handles, deep gloss black turn signal mirrors with a reverse gear auto pivot feature, and 17-inch chrome wheels. 360-watt Infinity II Cassette/CD player, and a no-charge SIRIUS satellite radio system, complete with a one-year SIRIUS subscription were also included. Additional features include leather seats, satin silver bezels, chrome or platinum clad wheels, and an other unique interior features. These models have a special Platinum Series badging on the rear B pillars also.
The 300M was
Motor TrendMotor Trend is an automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line The Magazine for a Motoring World. Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen magazines to...
magazine's
Car of the YearCar of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best automobile...
for 1999. It also was on
Car and DriverCar and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Originally headquartered in New York City, the magazine has been based in Ann Arbor, Michigan since the late 1970s.-History:Car and Driver was founded...
magazine's
Ten Best listCar and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:# The vehicle must be on sale by January...
for 1999 and 2000.
Year-to-year changes
In 1999, automatic headlamps were added, and the Handling Group removed the speed limiter. In 2000, an interlock was added to prevent shifting from Park unless the brake was pressed; and tether anchors were added to the rear shelf for child seats. The year 2001 brought more changes, with an optional luxury group that included an automatic dimming driver-side mirror and supplemental side airbags. A more advanced EVIC (trip computer) was made optional. The 300M also received new jeweled taillights.
In 2002, electronic brake distribution was added to the antilock brakes; a new computer combined engine and transmission controls; LATCH tethers were built in; and “natural” evaporative emission monitoring was added. Midyear, the 300M Special was introduced with a 255 horsepower 3.5 liter engine (running on premium gas) with 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.89 final drive ratio. The 300M Special also had high intensity discharge headlights, faux carbon fiber trim, high performance brakes, and optional Michelin Pilot Sport 245/45R18 performance tires. A new grille design was also introduced. Also, not as powerful as the 300M Special but much more rare, the 300M Pro-Am appeared in 2002. It included an infinity system with subwoofers. 2 toned leather was also added in the Pro-Am edition.
In 2003, new colors were added, a six-disc CD changer replaced the four-disc changer, and the changer controls were added to the stereo. 2004 brought optional
Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in the United States and Canada, owned by Sirius XM Radio. Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and...
and an optional stereo with DVD-based GPS navigation.
External links
- http://300mclub.org phpBB
phpBB is a popular Internet forum package written in the PHP scripting language. The name "phpBB" is an abbreviation of PHP Bulletin Board. Available under the GNU General Public License, phpBB is free software.- History :...
Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club
- http://www.lhforums.net vBulletin
vBulletin is a commercial Internet forum software produced by Jelsoft Enterprises and vBulletin Solutions, both subsidiaries of Internet Brands. It is written in PHP and uses a MySQL database server.-History:...
community dedicated to the LH platform cars.
- Chrysler.com - 2001 Chrysler 300M homepage, courtesy of Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and maintaining a free and openly accessible online digital library, including an archive of the World Wide Web....