• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2005 Chrysler 300 Touring Wagon Preview

So Close but Yet So Far

Just over a year ago on September 1, 2003, Chrysler released photos of a unique concept that has now become a reality (see new archive for Sept 2, 2003: Chrysler Releases Photos of All-New 300C Touring Concept). While building a production car out of a concept is nothing particularly new for the domestic automaker, the fact that the 300 wagon wont be available in the land that builds it is unusual.

Just like the popular new 300 series sedan, the wagon will be built at Chrycos Brampton, Ontario plant, but unlike the 4-door the 5-door will then be shipped off to Europe never to ride on North American roads. While its exciting for one of ours to be accepted so readily across

While the made-in-Canada Chrysler 300 wagon will become a reality, unfortunately it wont be sold in North America. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

the Atlantic, its a shame that a car so attractive and then so functional wont be available to a willing public.

Of course, we have the Magnum, which is an exciting prospect in its own right. But some dont like the aggressive crosshair-grille, and overall bold appearance of the Dodge wagon. My mom for instance loves the 300 sedan, but due to a need for the space utilization of a wagon the new

The 300 Tourings profile is similar to the new Dodge Magnum, which is starting to show up all over American roads. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

Chrysler wont do. I showed her the Magnum and she doesnt like it at all. No doubt Dodge wasnt targeting retirement aged ladies when it penned the new sport wagon, so the design team shouldnt feel too badly. I then showed her a photo of the 300 Touring concept wagon that debuted last year and she fell in love. Telling her that shed have to move overseas to buy one nearly crushed her, however, and left me wondering why Chrysler decided a classic large American wagon wasnt right for the North American market.

But

There is a sizeable group of buyers looking for an upscale full-size American wagon instead of an SUV or minivan. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

its entirely possible it could be sold in the U.S., that is if firstly theres enough consumer demand and secondly if the car doesnt sell out in Europe. The latter doesnt seem too likely considering how successful the LX cars have been here in North America, but not many Europeans think of Chrysler when it comes time to trade up their Fords, Opels, Renaults and Citroens, to name a few popular brands, so it is entirely popular the 300 wagon wont get picked up as quickly as all would be spoken for here at home.

That would make my mother happy, and my guess is an awful lot of disenfranchised full-size wagon owners

An optional HEMI V8 resides behind the no-nonsense grille, sporting the same 340-hp and 390 lb-ft of torque as in the 300 sedan and Magnum sport tourer. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

of the past. The Buick Roadmaster wagon was the last of this type to roll off of a Detroit assembly line, and before that Chevrolet Caprice wagons, Mercury Marquis wagons and just about every other nameplate made in the U.S.A. If what goes around comes around, the Dodge Magnum might not be the only large American wagon to revive the once-popular market segment displaced by the minivan.

The Touring, not to be mistaken for a trim designation for the North American 300 sedan, follows a very similar profile to the Magnum SRT-8, yet offers Chryslers high-society egg-crate grille, chrome accents and classic winged logo.

From the rear the 300C Touring concepts wide, low lines mimic styling cues of the

Chrysler is intelligent enough to know it stands little chance of success in Europe without a diesel engine option. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

2004 Pacifica, an attractive model to copy, tying in a clean, understated family theme. The front is purposefully identical to the 300 series sedan.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo