Automotive Einstein

Mopar’s string of factory-built, blue-on-black, special-edition models continues, but in a break from tradition, Chrysler’s aftermarket parts and accessories wing isn’t starting with a Dodge product. Instead, its latest limited-edition effort — the Mopar ‘12 300 — is based off the Chrysler 300.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2012 Chrysler Mopar ’12 300 – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2012 Chrysler Mopar ’12 300 – Automobile Magazine

After flooding the market with crossovers, SUVs, and family-friendly haulers that were marketed as anything but minivans, automakers appear to be rediscovering and rededicating themselves to the minivan segment. To its credit, Chrysler never left — instead, it pushed to find new ways to refine and evolve the minivan concept with the Town & Country. While the basic architecture of the current model dates back to 2007, last year’s overhaul ushered in some welcome changes. We’re happy to report that the anemic 3.8-liter V-6 is gone; a new 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 now provides ample power to move the 4621-pound vehicle. Engineers extensively retuned the suspension, replacing the soft, floaty demeanor of the old van with a firm, vaguely European feel. Undoubtedly, the best news lurks behind those dual sliding doors: the rock-hard blocky plastics that dogged previous Town & Countrys are largely a thing of the past. Soft-touch materials run throughout the cabin, and a new dashboard — which incorporates a waterfall center console — is both elegant and ergonomically pleasing. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats are standard, although optional new “quad” second-row buckets add extra bolstering and adjustability in an attempt to increase passenger comfort. We’d love to see Chrysler improve the feel of its switchgear and reduce ambient road noise, but by and large, the 2012 Town & Country feels more like a premium minivan than ever before.

No Chrysler product needed a makeover as desperately as the old Sebring. Awkward styling, a low-rent interior, and subpar dynamics did the Sebring no favors in one of the industry’s most cutthroat, competitive segments. Thankfully, the 200, which debuted as an all-new model for the 2011 model year, banishes many of the Sebring’s most unloved qualities. New exterior styling, including front and rear clips patterned after the 2009 concept car of the same name, lend the 200 an upscale appearance, but the most welcome change lurks within. The blocky, rock-hard plastic surfaces are largely a thing of the past. Soft-touch materials are applied to the dashboard and door panels; 200S models go even further, adding larger wheels, dark exterior trim, and fancier seating materials. The 173-hp, 2.4-liter in-line four remains the base engine; a six-speed automatic transmission is standard for most trims, but the entry-level LX retains an antiquated four-speed transmission. It’s worth the extra money to step up to Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which is available only with the six-speed automatic. With 283 hp on tap, it offers a surprising amount of power and doesn’t drink much more fuel than the four-cylinder. While new suspension geometry, dampers, and stiffer springs lend the sedan a sportier feel, the 200 convertible feels less refined, exhibiting some of the flex and shimmy that plagued its predecessor. Still, it’s a comfortable cruiser and one of the few mid-size convertibles on the market.

The makeover Chrysler performed on its large sedan for the 2011 model year was extremely successful. The 300 still feels like a big, broad-shouldered hunk of American muscle, but it exudes a surprising amount of European flair, thanks to LED headlamps, a stellar interior, and an available panoramic sunroof. Lest you think the company is content to rest on its laurels for 2012, Chrysler has made a surprising number of revisions. Two new trim levels — the 300S and the 300C Luxury Series — join the fold, allowing buyers to add a sporty look and sumptuous cabin materials, respectively. Cars equipped with the 3.6-liter V-6 are now fitted with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission and are once again available with all-wheel drive. The biggest news for 2012 is the 300′s biggest engine. The performance-tuned SRT8 model rejoins the 300 lineup after a yearlong hiatus, and it’s better than ever. A 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 provides a muscular 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and adaptive dampers pull double duty, curbing body roll on the track and soaking up bumps on the road. In fact, even the lesser 300 models offer a remarkably pleasant drive. With the advent of the eight-speed automatic on six-cylinder models, there’s arguably less need than ever to opt for the 5.7-liter Hemi. The 3.6-liter V-6 offers respectable power without resorting to typical eight-cylinder gluttony, and the smooth-shifting eight-speed transmission both aids acceleration and bolsters fuel economy.

After flooding the market with crossovers, SUVs, and family-friendly haulers that were marketed as anything but minivans, automakers appear to be rediscovering and rededicating themselves to the minivan segment. To its credit, Chrysler never left — instead, it pushed to find new ways to refine and evolve the minivan concept with the Town & Country. While the basic architecture of the current model dates back to 2007, last year’s overhaul ushered in some welcome changes. We’re happy to report that the anemic 3.8-liter V-6 is gone; a new 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 now provides ample power to move the 4621-pound vehicle. Engineers extensively retuned the suspension, replacing the soft, floaty demeanor of the old van with a firm, vaguely European feel. Undoubtedly, the best news lurks behind those dual sliding doors: the rock-hard blocky plastics that dogged previous Town & Countrys are largely a thing of the past. Soft-touch materials run throughout the cabin, and a new dashboard — which incorporates a waterfall center console — is both elegant and ergonomically pleasing. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats are standard, although optional new “quad” second-row buckets add extra bolstering and adjustability in an attempt to increase passenger comfort. We’d love to see Chrysler improve the feel of its switchgear and reduce ambient road noise, but by and large, the 2012 Town & Country feels more like a premium minivan than ever before.

When the original Chrysler 300 debuted in 2005 (make that the modern original, as the nameplate first appeared in 1955), it was a dramatic affirmation that the classic American sedan — a big, rear-wheel-drive, V-8 — could still be relevant, rather than just some hoary old throwback suitable only for sunbelt geezers and the livery trade. With its blocky, vaguely Bentley-esque design, the car was an immediate hit. It was a darling of today’s tastemakers, the hip-hop crowd, and was frequently customized. Much was made of the fact that Snoop Dogg phoned up then-Chrysler president Dieter Zetsche (“Doctor Z”) looking to get one.

Photo Gallery: Driven: 2011 Chrysler 300C – Automobile Magazine

Usually, how a car drives, not how it looks, is what wins me over. Completely scratch that with the new Chrysler 300 SRT8. Even though the sedan’s insane amount of Hemi power is intoxicating, its stunning looks are even more seductive. While I prefer white paint on this model, our black 300 still had me swooning. The front grille is like a black lipstick smirk on an attractive fascia. The car has a great stance, and rides on a set of black-mirror-chrome wheels that immediately grab your attention. Everything on the dark exterior is a turn-on.

Photo Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 – Editors’ Notebook – Automobile Magazine