Will the Chrysler 300 Return as an EV?
Mopar enthusiasts around the world are mourning the loss of the legendary Chrysler 300. Stellantis announced that 2022 is the final year one can purchase the iconic full-size sedan. Perhaps, though, it’s not quite that dramatic. With tons of automakers reviving iconic namesakes for use with hybrids and EVs, one has to wonder; will the Chrysler 300 return in electric form?
2026 could bring an all-electric 300 revival, says Edmunds
Edmunds theorizes that Chrysler may bring its flagship full-size sedan back with flying (and electric) colors come 2026. Though it’s just speculation at this point, there are a few things to consider that point to this being an eventual possibility. This, of course, all stems from the Fiat Chrysler America prime directive of going to electric power. The company states it plans to solely produce all-electric vehicles by 2028.
Stellantis debuted the STLA EV platform, which would be a fantastic host platform for the return of the Chrysler 300. During a display of the platform on EV Day in 2021, Stellantis showed a photo of a fastback-style sedan using the EV platform during a slideshow. Though there is no specific tease of a 300 being in the works, wishful thinking never hurt anyone!
The EV platform is thought to have a range of 500 miles or more on a full charge. Being that Chrysler is aiming so heavily at electric vehicles, a massive charge range wouldn’t at all be surprising. After all, if you’re going to do it, you may as well come out swinging! With competition like Tesla and Lucid pushing the boundaries of EV range, Chrysler will need to bring its A-game.
Additionally, the platform is said to have a single-motor rear-wheel drive layout with the option of a dual-motor all-wheel drive layout. That is, effectively, the same concept as most EVs that are currently available. Power range is said to be from 201 to over 440 horsepower, depending on motor configuration. Additionally, the platform is said to use 800-volt architecture that will allow it to use ultra-fast chargers like the ones from Electrify America.
The Chrysler 300 legacy
In 2003, Chrysler debuted the 300 concept car at the New York International Auto Show. The car was a modernized tribute to the Chrysler C-300 from the 1950s. Shortly thereafter, Chrysler began producing the road-going model for sales in 2004. The first generation of the modern Chrysler 300 ran from the model years 2005 through 2009. 2010 brought the second generation 300 to life.
The big rear-wheel drive Sedan got all kinds of love. This is especially true for the SRT8 models that came equipped with a Hemi V8 engine under the hood. The Chrysler 300 even got some screen time when the world’s favorite school-teacher-turned-druglord Walter White purchased one in the hit AMC series Breaking Bad. That’s quite an upgrade from the universally hated Pontiac Aztek!
Overall, the Chrysler 300 dying is a bit sad. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of the 300, you can still appreciate its place in Mopar history. So, to see it return with instant-on electric torque would be fantastic.
