2000 Chrysler 300M Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The 300M shares the doors and roof with the LHS, but you'd never know to look at it. Designed to appeal to different buyers, they look completely different. Short overhangs, a high rear deck and big taillamps make 300M more appealing to a European eye. An aggressive front end says, get out of my way" when seen in a rearview mirror.

The 300M is shorter than the LHS. Part of the reason for this is that Chrysler plans to export it to 30 international markets, including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Brazil. Keeping the length under 5 meters makes it more attractive to the European countries, allowing it to fit into garages and parking spaces.

Unique to 300M and LHS is a 3.5-liter high-output aluminum V6 that delivers 253 horsepower and 255 foot-pounds of torque. Designed to emulate torque characteristics of classic American V8s, it features 24 valves and single overhead cams. It delivers an 18-percent increase in power over the cast-iron engine it replaces. Mid-grade 89-octane gasoline delivers the best performance, but it will run fine on 87 octane.

300M comes standard with Chrysler's AutoStick transmission, which gives the driver a choice of conventional automatic operation or a more performance-oriented manual control.

The suspension is shared with Chrysler's LHS, but the 300M is tuned more aggressively. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard. A new brake system provides better pedal feel, improved stopping performance with less noise and vibration from the ABS. Electronic traction control is also standard for improved control when accelerating on slippery surfaces. All-season Goodyear Eagle LS touring tires, size P225/55R17, are standard and provide good handling characteristics on wet or dry roads with low tread noise and good snow traction.

An optional $500 handling package (standard on European-market 300M models) includes firmer strut damping, taller rear jounce bumpers, a firmer feeling steering gear, 225/60VR16 Michelin XGTV4 all-season V-rated performance tires, high-performance brake linings, stiffer front brake calipers and externally vented brake rotors. The suspension tuning is designed for a more controlled ride, sharper steering response, improved stability in transient maneuvers and increased cornering grip. The Michelins should provide better cornering traction on dry and wet roads, but may not perform quite as well on snow and ice. The brakes are designed to increase stopping ability, enhance pedal feel and resist brake fade in hard use."

Interior Features

300M's interior was designed to be functional, yet inviting, with the purposeful look of a performance sedan. Simple flowing shapes grace the interior. The dash is sleeker, more organic, and less cluttered than a Cadillac Catera. The 300M interior shares most elements with the LHS, but some of the details, such as the shifter surround, are more elegant in the 300M. Surfaces are soft to the touch for a luxurious feel. No seams are visible where the passenger airbag resides. Elegant white-faced analog gauges, surrounded by a thin chrome bezel, use electroluminescent lighting. Stylish typefaces give them a classic look and an attractive analog clock in the center of the dash carries the theme through. Major controls use large twist dials.

Leather-trimmed seating and heated front seats with personalized memory controls on the driver's side are standard. 300M offers a bit more rear headroom than LHS, but LHS has the edge in legroom. The trunk hinges were designed to not intrude into the cargo space when the trunk lid is closed. Details like that make life seem just a bit more luxurious.

In addition to ABS and traction control, safety features on the 300M include next-generation front air bags and child-protection rear door locks. The doors lock automatically once underway (though they can be programmed not to do this). Child seat-top tether anchors have been added to the rear shelf panel. An anti-theft system comes standard.

Cup holders were added for the rear seats in the center armrest of 2000 models. A four-disc CD changer mounted in the instrument panel was added to the Infinity II audio system for 2000. Power window and power door lock switches are now chrome colored; and the power mirror switches have been color keyed.