Bigger Still
by David Finlay (09 May 06)

Two of the most obvious features of the Chrysler 300C saloon are that it is very big and very brash. Just in case there was anyone who felt it might perhaps not be quite big enough, Chrysler has introduced the Touring version, and less-inhibited potential customers will be pleased to learn that it's pretty much as brash as the saloon.

The get-out-of-my-way-worm front end is identical, though unless my eyes deceive me a certain subtlety has been incorporated into the rear. The falling roof line creates a tapering effect which makes the back of the Touring look almost normal-sized - hardly a thing I ever thought I'd say about a 300C.

But we were talking about bigness. Regardless of body style, the 300C is a sizeable machine. Chrysler likes to compare it with the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (and equivalent Audis, Saabs and Volvos) on the basis of price, but as far as size is concerned the car should really be considered as being part of a different segment altogether. There really is rather a lot of this thing.

For passengers, there's no difference in the amount of space available in the saloon versus the Touring, but the Touring roars into first place when it comes to luggage volume. With the rear seats up, there's 630 litres of this, well ahead of the saloon's 504 litres, and if you fold the seats down the capacity expands to 1602 litres.

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