Motor
Trend names Chrysler
300 top car for 2005
By John Porretto / AP Auto Writer
DETROIT
- The Chrysler 300, the uniquely styled sedan that's attracted
buyers from rappers to grandmothers and helped the automaker
revive its U.S. business, has claimed the honor of 2005
Car of the Year from Motor Trend magazineDubbed "baby
Bentley" by some because of its likeness to versions
of the luxury English brand, the 300 beat out 23 other new
or significantly revised models.Dubbed "baby Bentley"
by some because of its likeness to versions of the luxury
English brand, the 300 beat out 23 other new or significantly
revised models.
"The
Chrysler 300 is an extremely compelling combination of power,
responsiveness, room and refinement," said Angus MacKenzie,
Motor Trend's editor-in-chief.
MacKenzie
called the car "a home run on significance, a slam
dunk on value and clearly superior to its rivals in every
way."
Analysts,
owners and dealers say one of the car's biggest attractions
is its price tag _ $23,000 to $38,000 depending on options
_ which most consider reasonable given its styling and content.
But it's the look and performance of the 300 that's garnered
the most attention.
The
car features a large, distinctive grill _ similar to a Bentley
_ and a long nose and short rear that gives it a bold stance.
With rear-wheel drive and the Hemi option, the 300 also
has received kudos for its power and handling.
In
the 300's first six months on sale, the Chrysler Group sold
about 82,000 of the cars in the United States, nearly four
times more than its predecessor, the 300M, in the first
10 months of 2003, according to Autodata Corp.
Dubbed
"baby Bentley" by some because of its likeness
to versions of the luxury English brand, the 300 beat out
23 other new or significantly revised models.
"The
Chrysler 300 is an extremely compelling combination of power,
responsiveness, room and refinement," said Angus MacKenzie,
Motor Trend's editor.
