Press Release

Strengthen Position in Europe with Powerful All-New Diesel Engine

• Compact aluminum 3.0-litre V-6 diesel generates exceptional power and class-leading torque
• Four valves per cylinder, 1600+ bar high-pressure fuel injection and Variable Geometry Turbocharger
• Standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) on all 300C CRD models
• Now produced in Graz for markets outside North America

For customers in Europe and many other diesel oriented markets, the introduction of an all-new diesel power unit for the Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring will be a welcome addition to an already strong engine lineup. The compact and lightweight, all-aluminum 3.0 CRD engine is a power unit producing 160 kW (218 hp DIN) and class-leading torque of 510 Nm. This all-new V-6 diesel engine offers outstanding performance along with the refinement and fuel efficiency international buyers are looking for and includes a standard Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) on all 3.0 CRD models.

The Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring were designed from the ground up with performance and premium quality in mind, and Chrysler engineers were tasked with developing powertrain systems that would exceed customers' expectations. With the introduction of the 3.0 CRD diesel, a total of four engines and three transmissions will be available to provide the optimum in powertrain choices for 300C buyers.

"The Chrysler 300C is one of the most awarded new cars in automotive history," said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director of International Sales and Marketing, Chrysler Group. "And so far this year, it has outsold all but the five leading petrol-engined competitors within the E-segment in Western Europe."

"Now with the addition of the 3.0 CRD engine with its best-in-class torque, we expect to make an even stronger impact internationally, since around 70 percent of the E-segment sales in Western Europe are diesel."

With the new 3.0 CRD engine, the concept of diesel driving pleasure reaches a new level for Chrysler 300C customers - ensuring fast acceleration and brisk intermediate sprints. The diesel model will be available to markets outside North America starting October 2005.
 

All-New High Performance Diesel Engine and Transmission

Based on the latest Mercedes-Benz technology, the new CRD engine is fitted with Bosch high-pressure fuel injection (1600+ bar), a variable geometry turbocharger, four valves per cylinder with dual overhead camshafts, and Piezo injectors with a 0.1 millisecond response time.  The new engine meets Euro 4 emissions standards and will include an integrated Diesel Particulate Filter.  Maximum power is 160 kW (218 hp DIN) and peak torque is 510 Nm (376 lb.-ft.) from just 1600 rpm.

For this powertrain, the choice of materials, design, fuel injection and engine management system reflects the state-of-the-art engineering adopted during its creation.  Unlike many other diesel engines in this displacement and output class, the 3.0 CRD features an aluminum block with cast-in grey iron cylinder liners, which make a major contribution to weight reduction. As a result, the new V-6 weighs only 208 kg (459 lbs. according to DIN).

The new diesel engine is an exceptionally smooth running power unit due to enhancements such as low-friction valve gear, larger bearings for the crankshaft, connecting rods made from a new alloy and a counter-rotating balancer shaft between the cylinder banks.  A quick-start glow system shortens preheating time to just a moment, so that the diesel is nearly as quick to start as a petrol engine.

The 3.0 CRD engine embodies third-generation common-rail technology. The result is a reduction in fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and combustion noise. Newly developed Piezo ceramic fuel injectors operate much more rapidly and precisely than previous solenoid valves, and ensure a particularly finely metered fuel supply to each cylinder.  Their crystalline structure allows the fuel injection to be accurately adjusted to match current load and engine speed.  The number of fuel injections per power stroke has been increased from three to five, at a peak pressure of up to 1600 bar.

The new engine was developed as a 'one-box-concept' with the cylinder block, add-on components and ancillary units forming a uniquely compact power unit. So compact, that the V-6 is smaller than the previous 5-cylinder in-line engine. The camshaft bearings are integrated into the cylinder heads and cylinder head covers, which saves space and cuts noise.  The four camshafts are driven by a tried-and-tested double bush timing chain system which also operates the balancer shaft and high-pressure fuel injection pump.

Four additional features are key to outstanding performance of the 3.0 CRD engine. A Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) uses electronic adjustment to rapidly and precisely vary the angle of the turbine blades to maintain charge pressure over a broad range of operating conditions and enable the engine to generate high levels of torque even at low engine speeds. This turbocharger is combined with a downstream intercooler which reduces the temperature of the compressed, heated air by up to 95 degrees Celsius, allowing a larger volume of air to reach the combustion chambers.  A newly developed valve control system for the 24 valves reduces both friction and moving masses.  Electronically controlled intake port shut-offs adjust the turbulence of air entering the cylinders to optimize the combustion process and ensure three benefits - more power, lower fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions.

For the all-new 3.0 CRD unit, a new W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission offers smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy.  It features Electronic Range Select driver interactive shift control wherein the shifter provides fully automatic shifting in the "Drive" position, or the driver can manually select each gear sequentially by moving the shift lever left or right from the "Drive" position. This gives the driver the control to precisely match any driving requirement.

The 3.0 CRD engine is joining an impressive powertrain lineup.  The 2.7-litre V-6 engine provides an outstanding combination of performance, fuel economy, quietness and durability. The 3.5-litre V-6 engine delivers higher output, still with a perfect blend of performance and economy. For the ultimate in performance, Chrysler 300C customers can choose the 5.7-litre HEMI® V-8 power unit.
 

Available Performance

• Four engine choices including:
• 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 with Multi-Displacement System (MDS), and a five-speed AutoStick® automatic transmission
• 3.5-litre V-6 with a five-speed automatic transmission
• 2.7-litre V-6 with a four-speed automatic transmission
• 3.0-litre V-6 CRD with five-speed automatic transmission
• Fuel consumption for 3.0-litre V-6 CRD is 8.1 L/100 km, EU standard for sedan and 8.3 L/100 km, EU standard for touring
• 6.4 second 0-100 kph (6.3 second 0-60 mph) with 5.7-litre HEMI V-8
• 7.6 second 0-100 km/h for sedan and 7.9 second km/h for touring with 3.0-litre V-6 CRD
• Rear-wheel-drive configuration
• Short-arm and long-arm (SLA) front suspension and independent five-bar multilink rear suspension
• Rack-and-pinion steering
• 18-inch polished five-spoke, split-spoke wheels

Available Amenities

• Patented faux tortoise shell interior accents or optional genuine California walnut wood accents
• Heated leather driver and front passenger seats
• Eight-way power adjustable driver's seat
• Driver and front passenger adjustable lumbar support
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with fl ush-mounted audio, phone, navigation and trip computer controls
• Power tilt-telescoping steering wheel with memory
• Power adjustable pedals
• Dual driver memory system controls for adjustable steering column, driver's seat, mirrors, radio presets and power adjustable pedals
• Dual-zone automatic temperature control with infrared sensing
• Air filtration system
• Express-up/down power front windows with anti-pinch protection
• Boston Acoustics premium sound system
• Analogue clock
• 60/40 split folding rear seat
• Electrochromic interior and driver's rearview mirror
• Sunroof with one-touch open and close with anti-pinch protection
• Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation radio with integrated six-disc CD/MP3 player

Standard Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
• All-speed Traction Control System
• Four-wheel disc anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Emergency Brake Assist
• Front and rear side-curtain air bags (standard for Europe)
• Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
• Three-blink lane change turn signal feature
• High-pressure headlamp washers
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Ultrasonic rear park assist system
• Sentry Key® engine immobiliser system
• Security alarm with panic button on key fob

In Europe, the Chrysler 300C is covered by Chrysler's two-year, unlimited-kilometers warranty. From launch, the vehicle was built at Chrysler Group's Brampton (Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant, while assembly in Europe began this summer at the Magna Steyr manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria.