Chrysler's big car defies trend

The Chrysler 300C's choice of engine size has made it a hit.

Large car sales may be under pressure in New Zealand, but the Chrysler 300C continues to go from strength to strength.

Introduced at the end of last year, the Chrysler 300C has been selling at almost twice the expected volume during 2006, even though large car sales have slipped back by almost 25 per cent in the past eight months.

Chrysler says the choice of engines in the 300C line-up has helped sales.

Buyers can choose between the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine that uses fuel-saving technology to switch off four cylinders when cruising or at low throttle; a 3-litre V6 turbodiesel; or a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine.

"Introducing a large car at a time when fuel prices hit record highs has provided us with both challenges and opportunities," says Brett Aspden, general manager of the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler New Zealand.

"Fortunately, the Chrysler 300C makes sense to anyone who requires a large car and is also mindful of fuel economy.

"We have two unique propositions - a large diesel car and the only V8 that turns off four cylinders when not required."

The V6 turbodiesel is a Mercedes-Benz powerplant that uses the latest particulate filter to reduce soot emissions. Chrysler says it is capable of returning 8 litres/100km (35mpg).