The 2005 Chrysler 300C, which will go on sale in Australia late next year, has won the 2005 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award in the United States.

Despite facing intense competition from other cars in this year's competition, the Chrysler 300C emerged as the clear-cut winner for its unique combination of contemporary styling and powerful performance, delivered by its available 250 kW 5.7-litre V-8 HEMI engine with Multi-Displacement System (MDS).

In the January 2005 issue of MOTOR TREND, editors herald the car as, "the rejuvenation of the great American full-size sedan," stating the Chrysler 300C "evokes the vibrant American sedans of yesteryear - and steals the show in a highly competitive Car of the Year field."

When launched in Australia, the Chrysler 300C will mark Chrysler’s re-entry into the premium saloon segment, providing customers with a genuine and exciting alternative in a segment where the options have traditionally been limited.

Like the letter series cars of the '50s for which it was named, the all-new Chrysler 300C features a HEMI engine, but with a thoroughly modern interpretation of the legendary powerplant.

"Chrysler's MDS seamlessly turns off fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 300C's HEMI engine, which combines world-class performance with 10 to 20 per cent better fuel economy," said Craig Love, Vice President - Rear-wheel-drive Product Team. "By combining technologies such as an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), all-speed traction control and an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), our engineers were able to develop a rear-wheel-drive vehicle that provides the best balance, handling and driving experience without compromises in performance or luxury."

Comparing the Chrysler 300C's combination of performance and styling with others in the running for the award, MOTOR TREND editors said the car, "far exceeds its competitors in style, fit and finish and daring," calling it an "extremely compelling combo of power, responsiveness, room and refinement." They also noted that, "When design chiefs at rival automakers are overheard saying things like, 'You're going to start seeing cars like the 300 from us soon,' well, you know you're not just looking at a new automobile, you're witnessing the onset of a paradigm shift."

"We're extremely pleased that MOTOR TREND magazine agrees with America and has singled out the Chrysler 300 as its top car for 2005," said Jeff Bell, Vice President - Chrysler Brand Marketing. "The Chrysler 300 has captured America's imagination and desires, as seen by sales of more than 87,000 Chrysler 300s in the first six months of this year in the United States alone."

Australia will offer two engine variants of the Chrysler 300C, the 5.7 litre HEMI® V-8, and a 3.5-litre High-Output V-6.