Chrysler evaluating diesel powered 300 in US market
Now that Chrysler has begun their diesel offensive with the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD they are evaluating where to go next. The company has been selling the 300 in Europe with the same Mercedes 3.0L V-6 since it's introduction there and now they are evaluating it in the US market.
Warren Brown of the Washington Post had a chance to drive the 300 CRD that Chrysler is testing and managed 41 mpg in highway driving. That's certainly not something you can achieve with a 300 SRT-8. If they offer the Bluetec version of the engine they could have a 50-state legal full-size sedan that meets the proposed new fuel economy standards.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AlrightMister 11:50PM (6/09/2007)
Yes please....
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calguy 7:37AM (6/10/2007)
Chrysler could probably sell the diesel WAGON version of the 300 here with right hand drive and make conquest customers. That's how hungry the US seems for good diesel vehicles. Of course if it takes till 2012 to switch engines.. as it seems most American car companies can't quite turn on the dime their cars can- the opportunity might be lost to Honda/VW/BMW/Volvo.
If they did muster the guts to sell the diesel version of the wagon with left hand drive, I might be interested. It would certainly be the first American car that would meet my needs to tempt me (I'm wagon obsessed).
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mirko 7:59AM (6/10/2007)
The linked article gets a few facts wrong: The engine isn't made by Bosch; the injection system is. The engine is Mercedes-made, as is the 5-speed automatic. Diesel 300s have been available for years in Europe, and are much more popular than all the other engines combined. Made in Austria, though.
Would be entirely feasible as an US-market model TODAY - the engine is already US emissions certified.
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John Ard 11:02AM (6/10/2007)
It'll never happen, it makes too much sense. :)
Chrysler might be wanting to wait until the redesigned 300 comes out to put in a diesel so that they would not be obligated to use Mercedes' engine. Cummins has already announced 4.2L V6 and 5.6L V8 diesels for use in Chrysler trucks, would it be much of stretch for them to drop one in this car?
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Bill 1:31PM (6/10/2007)
A 4.2L diesel in a 300 might be overkill.
Whatever they do, they'd better do it quick, considering VW is back with diesels this fall, and Honda will have them the next year (52mpg highway for the diesel Accord)
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BC 11:35AM (6/11/2007)
I recall that at one time an extended wheelbase 300 was planned, to compete for livery market sales now dominated by the geriatric Town Car. A diesel in that application would be a definate advantage to fleet operators.
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Don 7:58PM (6/11/2007)
Geeze. 41 mpg on the highway?
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66coronet 4:06AM (6/22/2007)
Standard MB3.0L crd 300C is very nice. But a 300C crd SRT would be cool too. The cummins 4.2L or MB 4.0Lcrd would be interesting competition.
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tobi 9:03AM (7/06/2007)
i like 300c diesel 4 my limousine besnees . all sell all my cadi and linc today
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Joe 12:08PM (8/18/2007)
I have read road tests of the European market diesel and according to them, the diesel engine gives the 5.7 hemi a good run in the area of performance while using a lot less fuel. The torque is amazing when you mash the accelerator. Not at all like any gas 3.0 liter six. It would be a good engine to add to the lineup but with a name and marketing effort that focuses on the excellent fuel efficiency to attract the green crowd.
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GPM 12:35PM (10/27/2007)
I would not consider any Chrysler - or Mercedes, for that matter - UNLESS it's a good, powerful, clean, efficient diesel, brought to the US market before January 2009. You want new market share? Do this now!
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