Spotted: a 2012 Chrysler 300

The spotted specimen

In Hoorn, we saw this 2012 Chrysler 300S, which has been in the Netherlands since 2014.
The 300S was a version with some sportier trim, including these model-specific, polished 20-inch wheels and shift paddles behind the steering wheel, as well as a Beats by Dr. Dre audio system as standard.
The standard V6 delivered 224 kW (304 hp) on the 300S instead of 218 kW (296 hp) as on the entry-level Chrysler 300, but the optional V8 was as powerful at 271 kW (368 hp) as on the 300C, which had the V8 as standard.
The one we spotted has the V6 on board, but it produces 218 kW, according to the RDW.
Registration error?

First-generation Chrysler 300

In 2004 (for model year 2005), Chrysler reintroduced the 300 series.
In fact, in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s there were also Chrysler 300 models, with “300” either combined with a letter or not.
From 1999 through 2004, there was also the Chrysler 300M.
The new 2004 300 was meant to be a kind of modern interpretation of the 1955 Chrysler C-300, with a distinctive grille, long hood and low roofline.
Retro, yet modern and a touch of “gangster.
In the form of the Touring, there was a station wagon in addition to the sedan.
This was mainly intended for Europe and was not delivered in the US.

Technically, the new Chrysler 300 was closely related to the also reborn Dodge Charger.
Chrysler then still formed a concern with Daimler (Mercedes-Benz).
This allowed some components to be borrowed from the then E-Class and S-Class.
These included mainly chassis components.
Also, the optional five-speed automatic transmission and the turbodiesel V6 for (mainly) the European market came from Mercedes.
However, the Chrysler and Dodge were on completely separate platforms.
So it is not as if they were built “on an old Mercedes platform,” as is sometimes claimed.

The first generation Chrysler 300 was also officially available in the Netherlands (and other European countries), but only as a 300C.
Hence, the model line is often referred to generically as 300C by Europeans, even though there were a few other 300 models.
Thus, the 300 was there building up in luxury as Base, Touring (not to be confused with the station wagon), Limited and 300C, with the sporty 300C SRT-8 as the top model.

Second-generation Chrysler 300

At the end of 2010, it was time for a new model generation for model year 2011.
From a technical point of view, it did involve a further development.
Bodywork and interior, however, were completely new.
In terms of design, the new Chrysler 300 was primarily an evolution, a more rounded version of the previous model.
Furthermore, the 300 was available only as a sedan.

The model lineup henceforth consisted of the Touring, Limited, 300C and 300 AWD.
To these was soon added the 300S spotted by us.
A sporty SRT version with 350 kW (477 hp) strong V8 followed for the 2012 model year, which disappeared from the lineup after the 2014 model year.
Once again, the Chrysler 300 officially made the crossing, but under a different name.
We know the model as Lancia Thema… That European Lancia version also lasted through 2014.
The Chrysler 300, on the other hand, had a particularly long career.
That one only went out of production at the end of last year.

The Chrysler 300 in the Netherlands

Of course, such a Chrysler 300 is a distinctive model in Dutch traffic, but instinctively they are not very rare either.
That becomes a different story when we look at the numbers.
Of the last generation 300 we spotted, only 41 are registered in the Netherlands.
Of the Lancia Thema, which was officially delivered here, there are not that many either: 86 examples.
For context, the first generation of the modern Chrysler 300C still has 973 registered in the Netherlands.