LE 300C Series II

IN early 2008, Chrysler revamped its big-selling 300C with a myriad of minor changes designed to bring the American large-car icon up to date.

These included new tail-lights, a reshaped boot lid featuring a spoiler on the sedan, and the introduction of soft-touch surfaces on the arm rests and door panels.

LED lighting in the front cupholders and door map pockets, a revised instrument panel and centre console design, and new silver trim, sum up the interior titivations.

The Touring wagon remained the same from the outside, while there were no changes to nose of the car. Front-seat-mounted airbags were also introduced.

Mechanically the 300C remained virtually untouched, save for the base 183kW/340Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol model, which received a revised manifold for a fatter torque curve, although outputs remained the same.

This was also true for the 160kW/510Nm 3.0-litre V6 CRD diesel, 250kW/525Nm 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol and the now better-equipped SRT8 with its 317kW/569Nm 6.1-litre Hemi V8.

All engines are connected to a Mercedes-Benz designed five-speed automatic gearbox with a sequential manual mode.