Could a Chrysler 300 diesel make a stylish hybrid substitute – and a statement?

By Stephen Edelstein Published April 5, 2013

The Chrysler 300 is one of the most intimidating sedans around, but the rumble of its petrol engine could soon be replaced with the whoosh of a turbodiesel.

Chrysler brand president and CEO Saad Chehab told WardsAuto that the Auburn Hills brigade is seriously considering a diesel 300.

Recommended Videos

Chrysler already sells the 300 in Europe (as the Lancia Thema) with a diesel engine built by VM Motori, the company that designed the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The EcoDiesel, which produces 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, but could fit in the 300’s engine bay. The diesel Jeep even uses the same eight-speed automatic transmission Chrysler offers in the 300.

However, Chrysler feels it will have to trim the $7,500 premium the EcoDiesel adds to the Grand Cherokee’s price tag to make a 300 diesel viable.

If things go well, Chrysler could even put a diesel in the 200 when that car goes through a redesign next year.

Compression ignition seems to be Chrysler’s green technology of choice. Like most of its competitors, the Pentastar has dramatically increased the fuel efficiency of its gasoline engines over the past few years, but it hasn’t developed anything beyond that.

Chrysler doesn’t sell any hybrids, and research on extended-range plug-ins was halted last September when some test battery packs overheated. The only electric car in the company’s portfolio is the lowly Fiat 500e.

So while Ford and General Motors chase kilowatts, Chrysler could distinguish itself by becoming a diesel specialist. It would be nice to have an alternative to Volkswagen’s ubiquitous TDI models.

Of course, even VW is looking at hybrids now, so it’s unclear how long Chrysler could go without adding one to its lineup. For now, though, a 300 diesel would give Chrysler a fuel-efficient model. Even a diesel’s sound is more intimidating than the silence of an electric motor.

The 300 Diesel, imported from Detroit. Would you buy one if it got big mileage numbers? Comment below.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Eaton, Treehouse to boost home capacity for EV charging, energy storage

eaton treehouse ev charging news releases

Power-management firm Eaton likes to point out that when it launched in 1911, it invested in a new idea -- the very first gear-driven truck axle -- just at a time when both transportation and power management were on the cusp of dramatic change.
More than 113 years later, Eaton is again seeking to lead innovation in the current energy transition.
The power-management firm just signed a deal with Treehouse, an AI, software-enabled installation platform for electrification projects. The end goal: accelerating the electrification of homes for electric-vehicle (EV) charging, energy storage, or heat pumps, while seeking more efficiency and cost savings.
“At Eaton, we’re all-in on the energy transition and we’re making it happen at scale by delivering breakout technologies and industry collaborations needed to delight customers and make it more accessible and affordable,” says Paul Ryan, general manager of Connected Solutions and EV Charging at Eaton.
The partnership will ensure consumers are provided with accurate and fast pricing, as well as access to licensed electricians to deliver code-compliant installations, the companies say.
The collaboration also integrates into Eaton’s “Home as a Grid” approach, which supports the two-way flow of electricity, enabling homeowners to produce and consume renewable energy when they need it, Eaton says.
“For more than a century, power has flowed in one direction—from centralized power plants into homes,” the company says. “Today, there’s a new reality thanks to solar, electric-vehicle charging, energy storage, digitalization, and more.”
Projects to change homes and EVs into energy hubs have multiplied recently.
Last month, Nissan joined ChargeScape, a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) venture that is already backed by BMW, Ford, and Honda. ChargeScape’s software wirelessly connects EVs to power grids and utility companies, enabling consumers to receive financial incentives for temporarily pausing charging during periods of high demand. Eventually, consumers should also be able to sell the energy stored in their EVs’ battery back to the power grid.
In August, GM announced that V2G technology will become standard in all its model year 2026 models. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted that Tesla could introduce V2G technology for its vehicles in 2025.

Cars

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and EVs offer big incentives as year nears its end

chrysler dodge jeep ev incentives record my24 hybrid gallery 04 exterior desktop jpg image 1440

It’s no secret that automakers and dealerships typically climb over each other to offer the best incentives before the year ends. But this year’s sales season is expected to be particularly competitive, with slowing sales translating to greater urgency to clear inventory.

According to research from Kelley Blue Book, the respected vehicle-valuation firm, overall incentives on new vehicle sales were up by 60% in October compared to the previous year.

Cars

Jeep, Ram EREVs will get 690-mile range with new Stellantis platform

A 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger sits in a vineyard.

Stellantis, the giant automotive group, is betting big on extending the range of both its hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs).

Last month, the company, which owns the Jeep, Dodge, and Ram brands in the U.S., invested nearly $30 million into an advanced wind tunnel at its research center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The goal is to study airflow around a vehicle’s wheels and tires to further optimize its EVs and boost their range.