How many cars can you think of that could pick up awards such as Hippest Car and America's Most Wanted Automobile?

Everyone from businessfolk to rap stars love the cool, in-your-face, glamour hunk that's the Chrysler 300C – and as most people either love it or hate it, I can happily include myself in a list of admirers.

Ever since the handsome exec saloon was launched, in 2005, Chrysler says it has struggled to keep up with customer demand. And surprisingly high residual values back up its amazing continued appeal.

Now Chrysler has taken to 300C to a whole new level with revisions inside and out that help to make the 300C an even smarter, classier motor.

Chrysler has wisely resisted the temptation to tinker too much with the striking exterior, characterised by the saloon's massive front grille, huge, shapely body, big wheels and head-turning grace.

The ultimate cruising machine is so timeless you could visualise hoods jumping out of it with guns in violin cases in a 1940s movie or gliding along today's Kings Road soaking up the stares.

So Chrysler have lovingly tended to the car's rump instead, with changes to the rear lamp clusters and a new boot lid with a safety-first integrated spoiler and high-mounted stop light.

There are also some smart new alloy wheels, boot lid and rear lip spoiler, roof-mounted antenna, body side mouldings and automatic headlamps – put them on auto and sensors decide for you when it's dark enough for them to come on.

Just as importantly, the 300C's impressive interior is even more sharply styled, with new materials, colours and textures, plus some clever mood LED lighting for front cup-holders and front and rear door pockets, and some glamorous dark slate grey leather all round.

For those who like their gizmos, sat-nav also includes UConnect (Bluetooth) and MP3 player interface and superb quality single disc CD/DVD and radio with MP3 jack – simple to operate and excellent quality.

A new instrument display is quietly classy, highlighted with satin silver bezels and soft-touch surfaces make everything more tactile.

I just love the circular analogue clock at the top of the centre stack and the glossy wood on dash and doors and the ultra-wide luxury leather seats (for those big American butts) are adjustable all ways electrically and fabulously comfortable, even though I failed miserably at working out the memory settings.

If I'm picky, the manual release for the kick-on parking brake is a bit of a stretch, but then luxury limo driving can make you lazy.

The popular 3.0 CRD diesel model I tested is more acceptably economical. Deceptively quick, the beast of an engine takes some stirring and needs a heavy foot to draw out some punchy acceleration – unsurprising with so much metal on the move.

But it kicks in well in the mid range and top end for effortless, big car cruising, with seamless auto changes.

For a sizeable car, the 300C corners effectively and handles tidily in a solid sort of way. But its sheer size makes tight space parking a concentrated effort, although the lock is decent.

A strange, mouth-shaped boot aperture reveals a T-shaped luggage area that tunnels in a long way and stacks in plenty of luggage, even though the space is slightly compromised by suspension bulk.

While much of the motor industry wrings its hands, navel-gazes and worries, the Chrsyler 300C glides serenely on its way, the coolest dude on the road, and now even more sharply suited.

At a glance:

• Chrsyler 300C CRD saloon, £27,495 (one of five models, with prices running to £40,995 for 6.1 V8 Hemi SRT-8 Patrol auto saloon).


• Revised exterior and updated interior across the range.


• Seat-mounted airbags added to the front and side-curtain airbags to the rear for increased driver and passenger safety.


• MP3 compatibility, touch-screen controlled navigation system, plus UConnect Hands-free Communication System using Bluetooth technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication.


• Standard features include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and all-speed Traction Control System, front and rear side-curtain airbags, Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and rear park assist system.