Unique Sedan of America

At last, an all-American alternative to the Toyota Camry

America has issues. Lots of them really. Firstly, Dubya Jr is still looking for what Dubya Sr couldn't find. Then there is the economy, which the last time we checked, was on its way south.

As if that wasn't enough, after a long time, there is a serious inflation problem, one that doesn't concern their waists. But the mother of all worries is that Uncle Sam hasn't had a decent home-grown family sedan ever since... well, no one really remembers when.

But you know matters have gone seriously out of hand when a Ford vice president openly agrees that the Camry is far better than Ford's Taurus.

Don't really know if that guy is still on Ford's rolls, but to be honest, the poor chap was only stating the obvious.

Just that no one really had the courage to say it. But in all seriousness, you know something's not right when the people who learnt the art of building cars from the Americans are now doing a better job of it.

Get this. Of the big three American manufacturers only Chrysler has posted a gain in market share. And if reports are to be believed then the 300C is the only one who should be held responsible for it.

After the Crossfire and the Pacifica, the 300C is the third car to benefit from the Mercedes-Benz-Chrysler merger and to start off, it's radically different from the LH series it replaces.

And there are some big changes. After a decade of cab-forward front-wheel drive designs, the 300C renews acquaintances with rear-wheel drive.

That incidentally, is going to be the norm with next generation Chrysler sedans. The layout also gives the car classic rear-wheel drive proportions.

The first 300C debuted in the 1950's and Chrysler has paid a bit of a homage to the original. Which explains the dramatic eggcrate grille that reeks of disdain for the more meekly styled "� Toyota and Honda please note.

It's an instantly recognisable design cue and it's really another fitting example of retro done right. With its bull nose, turret top, high beltline, and gun-slit windows, it does look stately and mature but whatever it is, it certainly ain't pretty.

But what works for it are the proportions. It's high and wide, and the bold wheel wells showing off the massive 18-inchers look just the part.

It does look it took a drink at the Old American Car soda fountain, and that, somehow, is rather appealing. You look at it and say 'I wish I could get my hands on one' which is always a good sign. And in the case of American sedans, a rare one to boot.

At this point, I could tell you that the interiors are pretty opulent; that you could even get faux tortoise shell on the steering wheel and shifter knob; and that the entertainment system is a veritable Swiss army knife of electronics "� it plays MP3s, CDs and runs the DVD navigation system.

Instead, why don't I tell you about the stuff that makes the real noise. The Hemi (which pays homage to the iconic hemispherical combustion chambers of the past) V8 makes a comeback of sorts after nearly 50 years of absence.

When Chrysler introduced the famed 300 in 1955, this V8 luxury coupe quickly earned a reputation as the 'banker's hot rod.' The new 5700cc 340 bhp Hemi under the 300C's hood throws out numbers that should keep the reputation intact.

How does 0-100 kph in 6.4 secs sound? If that doesn't float your boat, may be this will. In the quarter mile, a 300C will outrun a Nissan 350Z.

The Hemi also gets Chrysler's very own Multiple Displacement system which deactivates one cylinder bank at low engine loads to keep the Hemi on the sunny side of the gas-guzzler frontier.

Under the skin, there is a fair amount of Mercedes hardware "� proof that the DaimlerChrysler alliance really does pay dividends. Based on the W210, the rear suspension is copied from the E-Class, as is the steering column and the five-speed auto.

Not to mention a load of other nuts and bolts that neither you nor I really want to know about. Bear in mind though, that this is no cheap alternative for the E-Class.

And reportedly, it's not quite as agile and sharp as the Merc either. It's an American sedan and is a lot more 'Frisco than Frankfurt.

And if this Hemi-powered Chrysler isn't enough to stimulate your adrenaline glands, get to a doctor, pronto. Or, you could wait for the SRT-8, the 425 bhp version of the 300C.

This hot-rod comes with a monster 6100cc V8 that will dismiss the ton in about 5 seconds and will go on to hit 270 kph. You can tell the SRT-8 from the stock car by looking out for the modded front and rear bumpers, subtle rear spoiler and the not-so-subtle SRT badge.

If you're completely domesticated, the wagon is (them Yanks call estates wagons) out as well.

Overall, the 300C is an impressive car at an appealing price. It isn't the E-Class or 5 Series rival that Chrysler would like you to believe it is.

And it really is more likely to be socking the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord on the jaw stateside. We're not betting on the 300C against the Mondeos and Peugeots though, when the car finally crosses the Atlantic.

America finally seems to have a decent home-bred family sedan that every upstanding Yank can be proud of owning. As for Mr Bush, the Brave and the Free had one shot and they blew it.

But if the C is any indication of what we're going to see (sorry, couldn't resist), then we certainly think there isn't enough reason to push the panic button just yet.