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| The 2016 Chrysler 300S. |
It was a trick first learned decades ago, most likely by hot-rodders. The right tires, wheels and trim can make a four-door sedan---well, some four-door sedans---look like a race car.
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| 2016 Chrysler 300S. |
The effect is amplified on a car that already has a performance reputation, as do at least some trim models of the Chrysler 300. And this year's 300S model is really all about appearances, with blacked-out accents other 300 models do not have, 20-inch Hyper Black finish wheels, sculpted side sills, and a unique decklid spoiler.
Under the hood is the same 3.6-liter V6 found in a base 300 Limited, tuned to deliver 300 horsepower rather than the Limited's 292, with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. That is by no means a puny powerplant, but you can trade up, as Chrysler's press fleet did with our test vehicle. The $35,470 base price took an immediate $3,000 leap with the subsitution of the 5.7-liter, 363-horsepower Hemi V8 we enjoyed so much in last summer's review of the 2015 Chrysler 300C. EPA fuel economy estimates drop from 19 city/31 highway to 16 city/25 highway with that swap, but what enthusiasts call the "smile per mile" estimate goes up in compensation.
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| 2016 Chrysler 300S interior. |
There were other bumps to the price tag as well:
- 300S Premium Group (dual-pane panoramic sunroof, power auto-dimming multi-function mirrors with built-in turn signals and courtesy lamps, GPS navigation, ParkSense front/rear parking assist, blind spot and cross path detection, and an upgraded audio system with HD Radio): $3,295.
- Upgraded performance tires and suspension: $95
Along with the $995 destination charge, our as-tested price came to $42,855. That's roughly $3,500 less than the 300C Platinum from last summer, with all the performance and a much more menacing look.
