Chrysler 300M: the front-wheel-drive revival of the 300 name

The Chrysler 300M was a full-size front-wheel-drive luxury saloon built by DaimlerChrysler from 1999 to 2004. Using the Chrysler LH platform and a 253 hp 3.5-litre V6, it revived the 300 name with the next letter of the old series after the 1965 300L, and shared Chrysler’s flagship role with the LHS.

Chrysler 300M at a glance

History of the Chrysler 300M

A second-generation Vision

Before Chrysler redesigned the LH cars in 1998, the Eagle Vision filled the “import-fighter” slot, and its second-generation replacement was benchmarked against the BMW 5 Series. When Chrysler dropped the Eagle line after 1998, the car moved to the Chrysler range and brought back the 300 name. The 300M took the next letter available in the letter series after the 1965 300L. Test cars, factory manuals and design images had been prepared for a second-generation Vision with an Eagle badge on the grille. The 300M shared its powertrain and interior with the LHS but was about ten inches shorter overall, which brought it inside the European five-metre size class for export; the wheelbase was the same as other second-generation LH cars and the length came out of the overhangs.

Powertrain and equipment

Only one engine was offered, Chrysler’s 3.5-litre V6, which had been created for the first-generation LH cars and was shared with the Plymouth Prowler, a limited-edition Dodge Intrepid R/T and, later, the LHS and the rebadged Concorde. For 1999 it was rated at 253 hp and 255 lb·ft, driving through the 42LE four-speed automatic with AutoStick for manual gear selection. Changes came year by year: automatic headlamps in 1999, a brake-shift interlock and child-seat tether anchors in 2000, an optional luxury group with a dimming driver’s mirror, side airbags and a more advanced trip computer in 2001, and electronic brake distribution with combined engine and transmission control in 2002.

300M Special and Platinum Series

From mid-2002 the 300M Special added a 255 hp version of the 3.5-litre engine on premium fuel, a 3.89 final drive, a performance dual exhaust, uprated brakes, 18-inch Z-rated tyres, “Waterfall” leather seats, signal mirrors and high-intensity discharge headlamps, with carbon-fibre-look trim replacing the woodgrain. A limited run of 300M Pro-Am cars came with an Infinity audio system, two-tone leather, a set of golf clubs and a bag holder in the boot. For 2004 Chrysler offered a Platinum Series 300M alongside five other models to mark the twentieth anniversary of the minivan, in three colours with a two-tone interior, chrome door handles, 17-inch chrome wheels and a 360-watt Infinity system. The 300M and the Concorde were replaced for 2005 by the Chrysler 300.

Design and features

• 3.5-litre V6: 253 hp, shared with the LHS, Prowler and later the Concorde.
• Compact for an LH car: shorter overhangs brought the 300M under five metres for Europe.
• AutoStick transmission: the four-speed 42LE allowed manual gear selection.
• 300M Special: 255 hp, a shorter final drive, bigger brakes and 18-inch tyres.
• Award-winning design: Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1999 and a Car and Driver Ten Best car.

Chrysler 300M versions

• 300M (1999–2004): the standard 253 hp saloon.
• 300M Special (2002–2004): 255 hp, sports suspension and uprated brakes.
• 300M Pro-Am (2002): a limited edition with Infinity audio and two-tone leather.
• Platinum Series (2004): an anniversary edition in three colours with chrome trim.

The 300M shared its platform and engine with the Chrysler LHS and the Chrysler Concorde, and it was replaced by the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300. More cars are in the Chrysler collection.

Video: 2003 Chrysler 300M Special start up, exhaust and in-depth tour

Video by Saabkyle04 on YouTube.

Sources

• Chrysler 300M, English Wikipedia: platform, engine, equipment, editions
• Chrysler 300M, Wikimedia Commons: photographs