Chrysler 200S & 300S Alloy Editions
Posted on March 11, 2020
A sleeker, bolder-looking set of cars emerged at the Chicago Auto Show in February, and soon they'll be available to Canadian customers.
With the introduction of the new Chrysler 200S and 300S Alloy Editions, FCA's Chrysler brand makes it clear that it isn't just looking after the mechanical appeal of their cars. The new finishes for both the inside and outside of both sedans include high-end touches like stitched leather accents and even a new rear spoiler.
The outside becomes even more distinctive.
The original Chrysler 200 utilized a colour called Gloss Black for its paint accents. Now, that colour works in tandem with a new Dark Bronze paint on the grille surrounds and the Mobius strip in front. The 200S also has new aluminum wheels in the Dark Bronze colour as well, and the rear Chrysler badge on the decklid is also Dark Bronze, leaving no doubt this is the Alloy Edition. You can get the 200S in Gloss Black, Black Forest Green Pearl, Redline Tri-coat Pearl, Granite Crystal Metallic and Bright White.
Its Gloss Black grille surrounded by Dark Bronze colouring, the Chrysler 300S's LED fog lamps are also highlighted. With its Dark Bronze 20-inch wheels (19-inch with all-wheel-drive) and titanium-plated exhaust tips accenting its lines even further, along with black-accented LED taillights, the 300S is distinctive even when sitting still.
In a press release, Brandon Faurote, head of Chrysler brand design, said, "Inspired by our local artisans who continue to push design and ingenuity in new directions, the new 200S and 300S Alloy Editions highlight the latest in style though unique bronze and titanium finishes that exude a natural warmth, energy and commanding brilliance - while contrasting the S models' athletic styling and blacked-out details."
All-wheel drive is now available on the Alloy Editions.
Both vehicles now offer all-wheel drive as an option in 2016. Chrysler's version splits the power between the front and rear axles as needed, and moves back to two-wheel-drive when AWD isn't needed. The switch back to two-wheel-drive boosts fuel efficiency, with highway fuel economy for the 200S reaching up to 44 mpg (about 6.4 L/100km) and the 300S topping out at 33 mpg (about 8.5 L/100km) on the freeway. Sport-tuned suspensions come standard for both vehicles.
The 200S's AWD option comes with an upgrade to a Pentastar 3.6-litre V-6 with 295 horsepower, an automatic fully disconnecting rear axle, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. A 300-horsepower V-6 paired with an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission handles the duties in the AWD 300S version. If you prefer more power instead of AWD, you can select the optional 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 that churns out 363 horses and also has Chrysler's four-cylinder mode FuelSaver Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology which shuts down cylinders to save gas when not needed.
The inside is where you see the difference
Swing open the door of the 200S Alloy Edition and you'll immediately see the changes. You have a choice of either black cloth with leather trim, or leather upholstery with caramel accent stitching on the seats, console armrest, and door trim. A large "S" in caramel color is stitched onto the seatbacks, too, and titanium-colored accents highlight the centre console, door panels and air vents. A 12-way power driver's seat with four-way power lumbar adjustment is also standard, along with heated front seats. Chrysler's Uconnect 5.0 multimedia centre with five-inch touchscreen and six speakers is included, along with a one-year subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
The Chrysler 300S gets black Nappa leather upholstery with caramel-colour stitching covering heated power 12-way driver and passenger seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, steering wheel, armrests, and instrument cluster bezel. Titanium accents highlight the centre console, instrument panel, and gauge cluster. A ten-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system with subwoofer and 552-watt amplifier is standard, and the Uconnect system with 8.4-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM is front and centre as well.
Available soon, with additional options to choose from
The Chrysler 200S and 300S Alloy Editions will be on sale sometime in spring 2016, and critics were impressed by the value of the Alloy Edition package. Top Speed wrote, "Considering the exclusive exterior features and the fancy upholstery, the Alloy Edition is quite a good deal." If you'd like to add even more onto the Alloy Edition, the 200S has a package which includes side sills, rear side sill extensions, a rear valance, and a chin spoiler. The 300S has a performance-tuned suspension package that includes performance-tuned steering and bushings, larger sway bars (with the V-8 engine), and increased spring rates.
"Chrysler brand embodies Detroit style, and our new 200S and 300S Alloy Editions are a perfect meld of our engineering innovation and craftsmanship, forged with cutting-edge colours and materials inspired by the Motor City's ingenuity and creativity," said Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger car brands for FCA North America. With the new Alloy Editions, it's clear that the Chrysler brand has no intention of ceding the sedan market to its competitors, and has the design and mechanical firepower to stay a powerhouse.