I had a chance tonight to be in the front row of the unveiling of the new 2023 Chrysler 300C Limited Edition in Downtown Detroit. And while it was a good feeling to be back in the normality of auto show season after the pandemic, it was kind of a sad moment as this was an evening in paying tribute to Chrysler’s beloved LX series.
When Chrysler refreshed the 300 Series in 2015, the Street Racing & Technology (SRT) brand was being merged back into the Dodge brand. To help assert Dodge as the performance arm of the Chrysler Group in North America, the 300C SRT8 was discontinued after 2014, that is except for a few markets like Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.
In those markets, they received a new version of 300 SRT with bolder looks, a sportier interior, and a power boost of 15 more horsepower. The move left many people in the Chrysler enthusiasts community disappointed with the brand’s decision.
It didn’t stop diehards from building their own version with leftover parts from crashed cars, some even daring bold enough to add a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI HELLCAT V8 under the hood.
As the Chrysler brand gets ready to put this generation 300 Series to rest, the brand has finally decided to listen to its fan base and bring the 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) HEMI V8 back to North America. I mean it only took seven years, but at least their doing it.
Like the Dodge Charger and Challenger “last call” models, the 300C limited edition is a “parts bin” product. Nothing is new here, as it was available overseas. But Chrysler has put together its 300 SRT package, without the SRT badge.
Now, while it may seem disappointing to most that the car doesn’t look much different than a 300S V8 or doesn’t have a HELLCAT powerplant under the hood, the 300C Limited Edition makes sense in how it is being presented. Chrysler has always been a “blue-collar luxury” brand, and while HELLCATs and HELLCAT Redeye models can reach $90,000 and upwards of $105,000, it makes perfect sense for the 392 HEMI to be the last model for the 300 Series.
Although it may look underwhelming, the 300C Limited Edition might be the steal of the decade. While the 300C Limited Edition only offers one option (exterior color) to choose from, the car comes fully equipped with the following equipment…
Mechanical –
- 6.4-liter (392 cubic inch) HEMI® V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque
- 8-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
- Active Damping Suspension
- Active Exhaust System
- Red 4-Piston Brembo® Brakes
- 3.09 Limited Slip Differential
Exterior –
- Black Exhaust Tips
- New “Tri-Color” 300C Grille Badge
- Black “300C” Decklid Badge
- Matte Black 20-Inch x 9-Inch Forged Wheels (former Scat Pack wheels)
- Goodyear Eagle RSA 245/45ZR20 All-Season Performance Tires
- Black Chrome Accents
- Black Headlamp / Taillamp Bezels
Interior –
- Black Laguna Leather Seats with “300C” Embossment and Silver Stitching
- Leather I/P and Doors with Silver Stitching
- Carbon Fiber & Piano Black Bezels
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
Features –
- 19-Speaker Harman Kardon Premium Audio System
- Driver Convenience Group –
- Advanced Brake Assist
- Lane Departure Warning-Plus
- Full-Speed Collision Warning-Plus
- SRT Performance Pages
By the time you equip a 2022 Dodge Charger Scat Pack equal to the Chrysler 300C Limited Edition, you are over $60,000. This makes the 300C Limited Edition a more budget-friendly option. Sure, you can add additional performance with the Scat Pack thanks to the Dynamics Package or Widebody Package, but you are still over the amount it cost to purchase the 300C.
Another key point to the 300C Limited Edition is the number of units being produced. With only 2,200 units scheduled for production (2,000 in the U.S., and 200 in Canada), the 2023 Chrysler 300C will be rarer than the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon.
If the car continues to seem lackluster, there are plenty of aftermarket options out there as far as hoods, splitters, wheels, and grille inserts to tailor the 300C to your taste.
Nevertheless, after seeing the car in person and seeing how it is being equipped for the price, I changed my mind about ordering a 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack to be one of the first to place an order for a 2023 Chrysler 300C. When my order is accepted, me and the others who opt for these amazing performance deal can plan on seeing our rides arrive in the Spring.
What do you think of the Chrysler 300C Limited Edition? Let us know in the comments below.
2023 Chrysler 300C Limited Edition Image Gallery:
