In general, it’s muscle cars that are spiced up with special editions and unique paint trims to add variety to the lineup. The Chrysler 300 may be a large luxury sedan, but it’s got its roots in a tradition of special editions. As a result, the 300 Glacier Edition, returning for 2014 to celebrate the season that seems to last six months in Chrysler’s Midwestern hometown, makes perfect sense. What better way to face down the chilly weather than with some all-wheel drive and wintry opulence?
It’s not the only special edition available. The 300 lineup is graced by a number of uniquely trimmed models, including the 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition and the new-for-2014 300S. Is Chrysler just putting fresh trim on an outdated car? Not exactly. The 300 has been around since 2005 and, after a significant update in 2011, it’s actually aging quite well. The big, boxy style has been updated successfully, and the 300 looks right at home just about anywhere you care to park it.
Beneath all of the frippery, the 300 offers solidity, luxury and power, just like a big sedan should. The suspension still has a bit of Mercedes DNA in it, so the 300 has a stable and confident ride with just enough road feel that it’s not a floaty barge. The suspension uses independent short-long arms up front and a five-link independent rear, with coil springs at all four corners. It’s too heavy to be a sports sedan, but the handling is confident and predictable.
The 300 is available with a choice of V-6 and V-8 engines, and all-wheel drive naturally is standard in the Glacier Edition, providing all-weather stability. The 3.6 liter V-6 is the base engine and its 292 horsepower is well-suited to the 300’s bulk. With the new-for-2013 eight-speed automatic transmission, it also returns surprising fuel economy, to the tune of 31 mpg on the freeway in rear-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive 300s will get up to 27 on the highway, which still is nothing to sneeze at. To avoid unnecessary drag on the engine, the AWD system features a front-axle disconnect. The 300S and Glacier Edition get a revised intake system that bumps the V-6 engine’s output, fittingly, to 300 horses. But for serious urge, the 300 is available with the 5.7 liter HEMI V-8. The V-8 throws down 370 horsepower and sports sedan performance. The V-8 also is available with a fuel-saving multi-displacement system that enables it to run as a four-cylinder on the freeway. The rest of the time, the HEMI provides
eager acceleration with just a twist of the ankle. Like many of its competitors, this is a car for getting on the freeway and eating up miles. Unlike many of them, it looks like a million bucks pulling up to valet parking, too.
Well, okay, maybe not so much in base form. But that’s what the special editions are for. The 300’s straight-shouldered lines are the automotive equivalent of a well-cut suit, and the car’s long-hood, square-tail proportions make it seem like it’s at home in almost any environment. A large, bold grille has always been part of the 300’s look, and it’s flanked by large head lamps with distinctive LED accents. The 300 Glacier Edition adds an extra layer of elegance, with a unique grille, body-color trim on the front fascia, black mirror caps and an available black-painted roof. Similar upgrades are available with the 300S, which offers VIP custom-style blackout trim with color-matched wheels. The John Varvatos Limited Edition is a Detroit-influenced car with a tougher look conveyed by Phantom Black paint and titanium-metallic trim on the window surrounds and 20-inch wheels. The trim is influenced by the look of the John Varvatos cologne bottle.
The interior is comfortable, with plenty of legroom and shoulder room. The 300’s long, flat roof and high shoulders seem like they’d create a claustrophobic environment, but there’s more headroom than the smallish daylight opening would suggest. Handsome wood or piano-black trim decorates the dash and console. As Chrysler’s flagship model, the 300 comes with a long list of standard equipment, including Sirius satellite radio, dual-zone climate control, a driver information center and LED ambient interior lighting. Chrysler’s Uconnect 8.4N infotainment system is available, offering voice-command control, real-time traffic and smartphone app compatibility through a large, easy-to-read touchscreen. The navigation system is Garmin-based, providing a familiar interface as well as three-dimensional maps. The 300 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to audio either, with the available Beats by Dr. Dre studio-quality system adapting to a wide variety of music styles with a 12-channel amplifier, 10 speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.
Interior upgrades are part of the special editions as well. The Glacier offers unique cloth and leather seats, French-stitched seams and unique floor mats. Things get even more opulent with the John Varvatos Luxury Edition, which features Nappa leather and hand-sanded wood trim.
All-weather confidence and performance in a luxury sedan are nothing new; Audi has practically built its reputation on building just that. In the Chrysler 300 Glacier Edition, the combination of luxury and sure-footedness take on a uniquely stylish form. 300 pricing starts at $30,545 for the V-6 with rear-wheel drive. The Glacier Edition comes in at $36,845.
