2001 Chrysler 300M Base

Many criticized Chrysler's use of the name 300M, because its engine was not rated at 300 hp, it was not rear wheel drive, and it did not clobber the competition as the early 300 series did. While the engine was probably capable of at least 300 hp in gross horsepower, which was used when the original 300s were made, the argument is fair; the original 300 series were world-beaters, almost regardless of price. The 1999-2004 Chrysler 300M cars did beat the competition in elegance, comfort, space, handling, and, often, acceleration, but they were not generally compared favorably to the best the world had to offer at any price. , , Shortened to fit into European parking places and therefore lighter than the Dodge Intrepid, and tuned for performance, the Chrysler 300M had a luxurious interior as well, and was a fine car in its own right. Chrysler benchmarked the 300M against the BMW 5-series, and it shows in superior handling, with one of the best front wheel drive suspensions in the business. Given the light weight of the car and aggressive gearing, the 300M managed to do rather well in performance, with 0-60 coming in an impressive-for-the-time 7 and a quarter seconds (automatic).