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 edith