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2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition Long Term Review Part 3

Lyndon Bell
by Lyndon Bell
December 16, 2013
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Exterior temperature 27 degrees F, interior temperature 72 degrees F; dashing through the cold we find what feels like a tropical oasis waiting within our long term 2013 Chrysler 300 C John Varvatos Limited Edition. We so have a new appreciation for the remote start feature of our long term John Varvatos Chrysler 300 C now that winter is here. A touch we really like? If the ambient temperature is less than 40 degrees F, the driver’s seat and steering wheel heat automatically. And frankly, if there is any automotive feeling better than grasping a warm steering wheel on a very cold day, we’re truly looking forward to experiencing it.

If you’ve been following these reports, you can probably tell we’ve finally managed to wrench the Varvatos Chrysler away from the lovely and ever so tenacious Mrs. L.I.R. Bell. In fact, we have been using the Chrysler as our daily driver over the course of the last few weeks. Coming back to it after having been away from the car for a bit, we were struck immediately by the solidity the Chrysler 300 displays on the road.

Even passengers have commented upon how the Chrysler 300 C feels “heavy” going down the street. That’s heavy in a good way. Heavy like the lyric from the old gospel song states;  “Just like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.” It’s a truly a secure feeling. Going down the highway, you feel the Chrysler is ready for any potential situation—regardless of the circumstance.

And yet, when you encounter twisting, turning, writhing pavement, the Chrysler turns in sharply and grips heroically while basically bending the laws of physics to its will. No way do you expect a car with the gravitas of the Chrysler 300 C to handle as adroitly as it does, but witnessing its skill-set you quickly learn you’re laboring under the pretext of a misconception. Like an all-pro linebacker who upon recovering a fumble suddenly proves to everyone in the stands he can run and cut just as well as he blocks, the Chrysler amazes everyone with its sporty handling characteristics.

Happily, just as its chassis impresses, its engine is solidly in the game too.

With the odometer approaching 3,500 miles and the engine suitably broken in, dipping into it feels like tapping a bottomless well of torque. The confident burble the 5.7-liter V8 emits at idle is but a subtle hint at the degree of fury it is capable of truly unleashing. Offering 363 horsepower and 394 ft-lbs of torque, the engine endows the 300 C with what feels like limitless thrust. You’ll run out of nerve long before the Chrysler’s engine runs out of verve.

And yes, as you might expect, this does exact something of a toll on fuel economy. We’ve been averaging some 15 miles per gallon since we’ve been—shall we say—exploring the potential of the powerplant. The good news is gas is usually cheaper this time of the year, and the Chrysler will give you all it’s got on regular unleaded. So while the fuel economy is a bit on the light side, at least it runs strong on the cheapest grade of gas. And there’s definitely something to be said for that.

Read parts one and two of this review…


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