First look: Chrysler's grand Touring

CHRYSLER’S intention to bounce back in Europe and Australia with large and luscious rear-wheel drive passenger cars was reaffirmed at Frankfurt with the showing of the 300C Touring.

A station wagon variant of the 300C sedan shown at the New York auto show in April, the Touring again shirks the cab-forward design favoured in recent times for a cab-rearward configuration which can accommodate the forthcoming new generation 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine.

They are based on the so-called LX rear-drive platform and the Touring demonstrates the probable inclusion of all-wheel drive come production in Europe during 2004.

The wagon will not be sold in the US, however Australia should get its hands on both factory-built right-hand drive versions in 2005.

The Touring has similar design cues to the sedan, including an enormous grille and ultra-long bonnet, and the same all-important attention to detail in the cabin.

As is now the norm with new generation Chryslers, a significant number of components and technologies are shared with sister brand Mercedes-Benz.