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2004 Chrysler 300M Special Road Test

Time is Running Out

With the introduction of the 2005 Chrysler 300 series, time is rapidly ticking away in the life span of the appealing 300M. During the automotive hay-days of the 50s and 60s, and as late as 1971, Chrysler utilized the "300" designation to mark its performance oriented offerings.

This tradition was resurrected in 1998 with the introduction of the Europe-bound 300M, which was based on Chryslers forward thinking cab-forward, LH architecture. Admirably, when developing the 300M, Chrysler set their sights high by benchmarking the BMW M5 rather than a domestic product. Despite its reversed drive configuration, the domestic M is front-wheel drive, such ambition led to a car that didnt necessarily dethrone the revered M5, but at least exhibited a taste of Bavaria - and I am not talking bratwurst and lager.

The 300M has been

With the introduction of the new 2005 Chrysler 300, the end of the current 300Ms availability is in sight. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

removed from production to make way for the 300C as Chryslers top sedan, that latter which features rear-wheel and soon to be, all-wheel drive. Some will view the evolution of the model to rear-wheel drive as progress and others regress. There is no doubt that FWD delivers certain benefits that elude a RWD setup, the most apparent being foul-weather traction. Placing the weight of the engine over the drive wheels increases their adhesion and traction values. Of course, while true in the past this dogma doesnt factor in the advancement

When designing and building the 300M, Chrysler set its sights high, aiming for the BMW M5 benchmark. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

of driver aids such as traction and stability control, which come standard on the 300C. To quell concerns further, the new 300s all-wheel drive option will offer even greater safety for those that live in colder regions - although fuel economy will no doubt be negatively affected.

Whether you feel that front- or rear-wheel drive offers up any kind of handling advantage will come down to personal preference. A RWD vehicle when piloted by a skilled driver is capable of stepping the cars rear-end out at the apex of a curve and shooting like a bullet through

Sure you wont be seeing front-wheel drive Ferraris any time soon, but for day to day driving the 300Ms front-wheel drive layout is acceptable. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

the remainder of it. Its no accident that almost all high-performance cars are either RWD or AWD. Have you ever heard of a FWD Ferrari? If Ferrari ever considered FWD, poor Enzo would return from the ever-after to sort such a mess out for sure.

But for the common-folk making up the vast majority of drivers, FWD is just fine thank you very much. Any gains in low-speed traction tend to outweigh the average drivers latent desire to drift through high-speed turns. And if commonsense exerts sufficient influence in a buyers automotive selection, it may be time to visit a Chrysler showroom and kick the

The 300M is what a full-size sedan should be unless overwhelming trunk space is required. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

tires affixed to a 300M. Wait much longer and the only 300M tires available for kicking will have encountered pre-owned wear.

So rather than rambling-on excessively about FWD versus RWD, I will get on with my review of the 300M Special. Of all the Chrysler products riding on the outgoing LH platform, the 300M is by far the best looking in my view. Slightly shorter in the hindquarter than the Chrysler Concorde, proportionally the 300M is what a full-size sedan should be unless overwhelming trunk space is required - and for that the Chrysler Concorde will fit the bill. The sleekness of the 300M in union with its stubby trunk lid tends to portray the car as smaller than it actually is, but in fact the

Chrysler devised a clean, fairly elegant cabin layout in the 300Ms large interior. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

300M is one inch longer than its replacement 300C, and for a competitive comparison is 10.2 inches longer than the 2004 Honda Accord 4-door.

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