It’s been a while since I last got behind the wheel of a CAR road test unit, so I’d originally intended to ease myself back in to proceedings behind the wheel of a nice compact hatch, but testing schedules conspired to direct me towards the Chrysler 300C Hemi Touring – a veritable dreadnaught of a car with a sizeable Hemi V8 nestling within its imposing nose.
But the 300C was not intent on terrifying me. Far from it – this sizeable station wagon was to prove a great salve to the irritation that is driving through Cape Town on a Friday at lunchtime (here’s where Gauteng readers will interject with tales of the immense gridlock they have to negotiate every day, but bear with me).
The 300C simply oozes presence. Those imposing dimensions are clothed in smooth, classy sheet metal along the flanks, punctuated by boldly-flared wheel arches, a classic raised central section to the bonnet with a retro spine running down its centre and a gaping maw of a grille that looks fit to hoover up anything in its vicinity. Usually, a saloon’s translation into an Estate model does not bode well for the styling, but the 300C carries it off admirably – its roofline slopes seamlessly into the rear and the narrow slits of rear three-quarter glass neatly echo the rest of the car’s glazing. The only flaw is that the sloping roofline eats into the usable load space on offer. Such an aspect normally proves to be the kiss of death for a premium ‘wagon, so what other talents does this model have that could endear it to potential buyers?
Well, it’s one of the few premium-positioned models from Chrysler that doesn’t fall foul of the plasticky-cabin trend that has afflicted many of its stablemates. The interior is, in fact, a very pleasant place to be. The seats are firm, but comfortable, and the cabin’s two-tone finish is tastefully done. Ergonomics are just about spot-on for someone of my carriage (1,84 m & 100 kg) with plenty of room fore and aft. The switchgear does not issue a shudder of distaste, while level of fit and finish is excellent. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the drive in the 300C is the silence in which it takes place – you feel as though you’re cocooned from exterior interference, and even the satisfying growl of that leviathan 5,7-litre V8 becomes damped to a distant burble within the cabin.
Far from egging the driver on, that torquey powerplant conspires with good refinement that lulls the driver into taking things at a steady pace. Don’t get me wrong, if you plant the loud pedal this car will gladly pin you to the seat and surge forward with ballistic pace, but in the corners the 300C’s weight and light steering make it feel a little unsettled. As a long distance driving tool, the 300C Touring is a great proposition – comfortable, quiet and with bags of overtaking power on tap.
Around town, this car’s dimensions will make parking an interesting challenge, but those same dimensions and imposing looks often mean that the chap in the GTI (who would have cut in front of you last week), will gladly hang back and allow you to take that newly-opened gap in the traffic.
It’s difficult to justify the 300C Touring when it offers the same powerplant and only a hint more load space than its saloon sibling, but there’s something about the power, refinement and sheer presence of this car that makes it so endearing. Rarely does a station wagon end up looking as good as (if not better) than the saloon, but this car manages to pull it off. Now, where did I put that R444 900?