2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier Edition Ready to Put Rivals on Ice

Launching the latest in a growing line of “lifestyle-driven” variants for its flagship full-size sedan, Chrysler dealers across the country are now offering the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier edition to help owners embrace winter weather with a bit more confidence—and more power, too.

That’s because the 300 Glacier model mixes the Chrysler Group’s highly advanced all-wheel-drive system with a very appropriate performance enhancer for its award-winning Pentastar V6: A cold-air induction system. Complemented by a segment-first eight-speed automatic transmission and sport-tuned exhaust, the result is that that 3.6-liter engine receives a power bump to a full 300 horses while still posting best-in-class EPA marks of up to 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway. Alternatively, Glacier owners can opt for a 5.7-liter HEMI with the brand’s Fuel Saver Technology—which lets the V8 run on four cylinders for enhanced efficiency in certain driving conditions—to enjoy 363 hp and EPA grades that reach 23 mpg highway.

Either way, the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier also provides gobs of grip with its exclusive AWD setup. The system is the only one from a major automaker to combine an active transfer case with a front-axle disconnect feature. In normal driving scenarios, the 300 Glacier routes power only to its rear wheels and actually disconnects the front axle from the drivetrain for enhanced fuel economy and traditional RWD performance. But when the system detects a need for added traction, torque flows seamlessly to the reconnected front axle for additional handling capabilities.

The starting price won’t leave drivers out in the cold, either; MSRPs for the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier starts at $36,845.

Of course, there’s a lot more to the car than just its powertrain technologies …

Chilling in Style in the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier Edition

The starting point for the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier is the nameplate’s technologically focused 300 S model, so the car is packed with high-tech media, comfort and safety technologies. Notable among them: An upgraded Uconnect system—recently honored as 2013 Technology of the Year by AOL Autos—and premium audio from Beats by Dr. Dre.

Building on that foundation, the new 300 variant showcases Glacier-only style upgrades that include body-color fascia accents, Gloss Black mirror caps and headlamp bezels, 19-inch Satin Carbon wheels, and a Black Chrome grille; topping it all off—literally—is an available Gloss Black roof that creates a sophisticated two-tone appearance with any of the car’s three exterior color choices: Bright White, Billet Silver Metallic, or a model-exclusive Glacier Blue Pearl Coat.

The cabin of the 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier edition was designed around an “athletic-luxury” theme that’s ideally exemplified by its seating. Both the driver and the front passenger get 12-way power-adjustable sport seats with leather-wrapped bolsters and black, French-seamed stitching. Piano Black accents are then used to highlight the center stack, instrument panel, steering wheel, gauge cluster and door panels to create what Chrysler calls “a uniquely lacquered and highly detailed appearance,” while a sprinkling of matte carbon, as well as premium, embroidered floor mats, provide the finishing touches.

The bottom line from Chrysler: “From cruising through the city, to escaping away to a snow-covered ski resort, the new 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier has a commanding design presence and the power and all-weather capability to carve through some of the most snow-covered landscapes.”