It’s the end of an era at Chrysler, as production of the 300 is coming to a close by the end of the year after nearly a decade in the market in its current generation, first launched in 2014. Prior to this, the brand announced that the special-edition, Hemi V8-powered 300C has officially concluded production, and workers on the assembly line gathered to commemorate the occasion alongside the Velvet Red sedan The special-edition sedan was reintroduced to the Chrysler lineup in 2022, and its name was a homage to the 1957 300C. The original late 50s model came equipped with a 392-cubic-inch HEMI V8, which, as standard, produced 375 hp.
65 years later, the new model was powered
by a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that not only had a larger displacement but also
produced more power. It delivered 485 hp and 644 Nm of torque, enabling the 300C to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in
just 4.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile run in 12.4 seconds. In addition
to the big engine, the 300C is also equipped with red, four-piston Brembo
brakes, a 3.09 limited slip differential, active damping suspension, and active
exhausts with a black tip. To top it all off, the car gets a tricolour 300C
badge on the deck lid and grille. The model was so popular that all 2,200 examples
(2,000 for U.S. customers, 200 for Canadians) were reserved in just 12 hours.
Much like the closely-related Dodge
Challenger and Charger, the Chrysler 300 is being phased out as the brands,
along with their parent company Stellantis, prepare for an electrified future.
However, there may still be a future for it. Chrysler’s first modern,
all-electric vehicle will be a crossover, but CEO Chris Feuell has recently
mentioned that the brand is also considering the possibility of creating an
electric sedan to carry on the legacy of the 300.
