2004 Chrysler 300M

Salty-haired enthusiasts surely recall Chrysler's legendary first 300, so-called because it's 331-cid race-bred Hemi-head V-8 engine cranked out a rare-for-the-time 300 horsepower. Introduced in 1955, it was easily the most powerful passenger car on the American market-and the first in a 10-year series of high-performance Chrysler 300s, all the rest carrying a letter designation from the '56 300B through the '65 300L.


That first 300 was also Detroit's first "musclecar," preceding by nearly a decade Pontiac's trend-setting 1964 GTO, which was first to combine a big V-8 engine with a smaller (midsize) car. It dominated NASCAR "Stock Car" racing in 1955 and '56 before an agreement of the U.S. Auto Manufacturers Association effectively banned factory-backed competition. Chrysler revived the 300 in 1999 with a 253-hp 3.5-liter aluminum V-6 powering a handsome full-size sedan derived from the roomy Concorde. Designated 300M, it picked up where the series had left off 43 years earlier and was named Motor Trend Car of the Year. The 300M has been enhanced (with no letter change) each year since, and an upgraded 255-hp version of the 3.5-liter V-6 arrived in mid-2002 powering the top-line 300M Special.

Main Features
The standard 2004 300M's 3.5-liter V-6 generates 250 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,900 rpm for a respectable blend of performance and economy. Its power is delivered through a four-speed "AutoStick" automatic transaxle that can be manually shifted for added fun-slap the leather-wrapped shifter right to upshift, slap it left to downshift.


Its 4-wheel independent suspension is smooth, yet surprisingly agile and responsive. Ably assisted by ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and Michelin Pilot MXV4 Plus P225/55R17 tires on fine-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels, the 300M's 4-wheel discs snub it down from speed with authority and exceptional stability. Traction control cancels wheelspin, while EBD compensates for speed differences among all four tires during braking.


300M standard equipment starts with tasteful woodgrain accents, leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-trimmed, heated power seats (the driver's with 8-way power and a personalized memory system that includes the outside mirror and radio presets). The instruments glow with blue-on-white electroluminescent lighting, and the overhead console displays compass heading, outside temperature and a 4-function trip computer. Selectable automatic headlights illuminate at nightfall and whenever the wipers are on. A Homelink transceiver is programmable to control garage doors, gate openers and security lighting. Like all current-model Chrysler full-size sedans, the 300M benefits from curvaceous "cab forward" styling. It receives generous rear-seat legroom and a large 16.8-cu. ft. trunk. The standard 240-watt Infinity I "Spatial Imaging" 7-speaker sound system includes AM/FM, a CD player and steering wheel controls. The optional 360-watt Infinity II system offers nine speakers and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer. Also available are SIRIUS satellite radio and a new navigation system integrated into the audio system.