Chrysler 300C named North American Car of the Year

The award, presented at January¡¦s Detroit Motor Show, was introduced to honour vehicles that set a new standard in their segment in areas such as ride and handling, features, innovation, safety and value for money.

"This is a great achievement by the Chrysler Group and the 300C perfectly represents the company¡¥s operating philosophy of disciplined pizzazz," said Bruce Ohms, Director, Sales and Marketing, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, Middle East. "It took the US market by storm on its introduction and is a sell-out success in the Middle East with a long waiting list."

The powerful yet refined 300C launched in the Middle East in the middle of 2004 is fitted with a 5.7-litre HEMI,,¥ V-8 with 340hp and 387 lb.-ft. of torque and an acceleration time of 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds.

The luxury executive car is also the first modern volume production vehicle introduced into the Middle East to feature cylinder deactivation. The Chrysler Group¡¦s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-litre HEMI engine when the V-8 power is not needed. This provides a world-class combination of outstanding performance, power and competitive fuel economy.

"The 2005 300C marked the Chrysler brand¡¦s return to a rear-wheel-drive, HEMI,,¥ powered car for the first time in more than a decade. Chrysler has re-invented the large, V8 powered American sedan," said Matt de Lorenzo, Editor of Road and Track magazine.