Uhh... don't forget you're comparing V8 with plenty (300+ lb/ft) of torque to a V6. Chrysler 300M with its 255 HP 3.5L engine isn't fast. It weighs 3650 lbs. Besides, Chrysler's auto transmissions are one of the slowest shifting, most performance robbing trannies out there. The car makes a 15.6 second quarter mile at a whopping 89 mph This car has better HP to weight ratio than V6 fbody, yet only gets 89 mph.

Add 500 lbs and the 260 HP V6 model will be slower than a slug. This is why 300C should only be sold with Hemi V8, enough power to make it a good hauler. You're talking about a car with the size and weight of Crown Vic.

 

I don't doubt that the V6 model will be slow, but Brandon was claiming that the V8 model would be only as fast as the current 300M. My take is that a 40% increase in peak power (more like a 50-60% increase in average power) along with an extra gear in the tranny should more than make up for the ~20% increase in weight. If most people consider a 260 HP 4200 lb B-body to be reasonably fast, one would also expect people to consider a 350 HP 4200 lb car to be fast. Well, unless it wears the badge of a competitor - then it's crap.

The 5-sp A580 M-B auto should also really help the V6 stay in its powerband. Plus, it's apparently ultrareliable, which can't exactly be said for the 42LE Chrysler tranny.

 

I always thought the Impala SS was right at about 4000 even.

Well, I was looking at pictures of the car in Automobile and I found something else I like about the car..................the interior looks good and does not look like it was lifted strait out of a Mercedes(Crossfire).

 

According to GM, the car weighs 4030. In reality, it's about 250 lbs heavier.

 

Well, if this car weighs 4200 lbs my guesstimate for 1/4 mi times are low to mid 15's (15.2 - 15.4). It will be interesting to find out how it actually performs.

Is the new 5-speed tranny going to be Mercedez tranny? It could really help out by transferring power more efficiently.

Their C32 AMG has supercharged V6 delivering 349 HP and 332 lb/ft. It weighs 3550 lbs, roughly. I personally saw this thing at the local racetrack do 13.3 second quarter miles. And that's with automatic transmission. Not bad at all, I say.

 

Guys I dont think Chryslers building this car to tear up the 1320. They are goin to have a more performance oriented car that replaces the Intrepid. It will have the hemi, it will be a Dodge, and it will be rear wheel drive. All the old guys probably remeber the old 300 series chryslers. They were quick with the oldschool hemis but noone draged them. They did theyre damage in nascar. They were known as luxury cars with some go which is what this one is going to be. A hemi reg cab at 5000+ lbs can reach a 15 flat. And theyre probably gonna tune the "car" hemi different. Im expecting low 14's but still your going to rarley hear about them being run down the quarter. And its going to be some older richer guy driving.

Look at the interior and tell me this cars made to race.

I also agree with the Cadallic comment.

 

But the car should be capable of actually accelerating when floored trying to merge on the highway carrying a carload of passengers, don't you think? Quarter mile or not, it is a good indication of car's power to weight ratio. And 260 HP V6 is a little weak on that car it seems.

You might be right with the Hemi - perhaps it will get the car into 14's, and that for sure would be nice. But then again, it may not. I am not sure whether to judge by Chrysler's performance numbers from the 90's to present, or whether to go by some of the newer models they're releasing (such as SRT-4, SRT-10, etc..).

 

PVO, (=ford SVT) is supposed to make a performance dodge with the hemi and so far pvo is on the right track with the performance of the srt viper and neon srt4. Should be interesting.

Mark my word- When the aftermarket makes performance computers for the new 5.7 hemi watch out!

 

I think it looks pretty good. It's a faithful modern rendition of what a big honkin' Chrysler "letter" car should look like. Except for the 4 doors.

 

A stock GM B-body does low 15-sec 1/4-miles with the same weight and 90 fewer HP. I'd like to know what info you base your numbers upon.

While the 5-speed should indeed help out the smaller engines, the wide powerband of the Hemi really doesn't need the closely-spaced ratios. The best thing about this tranmission is that it's basically bombproof and therefore should be good for the hot-rod crowd.

 

The numbers are more of a speculation on my part. I based it on the performance of current 3650 lbs 255HP 300M, added the weight, added the power and that was my estimate. I also looked at Marauder just now, which I assume will have similar weight. It does have weaker engine than Hemi, no doubt about it. But at least Ford's trannies seem to be better.

The one thing that will get better results for this car, I'm sure, is the transmission. With this tranny it could get the car into 14's. It is not so much a matter of powerband as energy transfer. Chrysler's auto transmissions make their cars somewhat slow performers. It may be due to slow shifting, it may also be due to higher loss of power (maybe they lose 20% as opposed to 17 or 18 % of most other automakers). In any case, through personal friends who have / had Chryslers in the past (auto), they all claim that their trannies are robbing their cars of power. One example: Dodge Avenger. One is 4-cyl 5-speed manual, the other is 6-cyl auto. Both get the same quarter mile times, and that's with over 30 HP more and more tq.

 

Lets remember guys...The original hemis, not the 426 elephants, but the 392s, and 331s and such, were put in really, really big Chryslers. That car looks like an early Chrysler 300 car. A G or an H maybe. This is an excellent step for Chrysler.

Also remember, that in the late 50s, early 60s, the Chrysler powertrain stuff trickeled into the MUCH lighter, less luxurious, but much more affordable Dodge and Plymouth brands.

 

I agree. I think it looks pretty good, myself.