Brand already touting 2012 – Better 2011 Chrysler 300 barely on sale

Brand already touting 2012 – Better 2011 Chrysler 300 barely on sale, The 300 — launched in 1955 as a then-remarkable blend of power, styling and luxury — remains a cornerstone of the brand’s identity.The redone 2011 300 only went on sale in March and production of the 2012 begins late next month, Listen to Chrysler folks talk about the redone 300 sedan and you hear so much excited talk about more new stuff coming soon in the 2012 300s, that you start to wonder why consider the 2011?

But the 2011 is a pleasing car (see Test Drive). And if the 300 we wanted was the V-8 all-wheel drive model, we’d sign the check now, because it’s not changing much. But if we were considering another version, or simply hoped for more choices, we’d wait for 2012′s longer list of selections.

Among new things coming:

A top-end Executive model (new name coming) very much like a version to be sold overseas by Chrysler owner Fiat’s Lancia brand as the Thema.
An 8-speed automatic for the V-6, replacing the 5-speed. It’s estimated to boost highway fuel mileage to 30 mpg, from 27 now, and city to 18 or 19, from 17. It will go into other pro0ducts as well, but the company won’t say which or when.
An all-wheel option with the V-6. It’s available only with the V-8 now.
An “S” model that tries to keep some of the urban edge customizers brought to the previous 300.
A super-fast, aggressively styled SRT8 performance model destined to be most like the 300 letter series of old.

The 2012 “S”, in fact already is being advertised even though it’s not for sale yet. It features a Beats by Dr. Dre sound system and that’s an “S” in the new 300 TV ad (video below) with musician and producer Dr. Dre himself. The “This is L.A. and this is what WE do” ad is a counterpoint to the “Imported from Detroit” (“This is the Motor City … ) Super Bowl ad with Dr. Dre protege Eminem and the 2011 Chrysler 200.

Both ads are the work of Olivier Francois, CEO of the Chrysler brand here and Lancia in Europe, as well as marketing chief for all Chrysler Group and Fiat Auto brands.Hit the read more below the video to see the 2011 Chrysler 300 lineup now on sale vs. the longer list for 2012:

The 2011 lineup, on sale now:

Chrysler 300(rear-wheel drive)
Chrysler 300 Limited (rwd)
Chrysler 300C (rwd)
Chrysler 300C (all-wheel drive)

The 2012 lineup will be:

Chrysler 300 (rwd)
Chrysler 300 Limited (rwd/awd)
Chrysler 300S (rwd/awd)
Chrysler 300C (rwd/awd)
Chrysler 300S (rwd/awd)
Chrysler 300C Executive Series (rwd/awd)
Chrysler 300 SRT8 (rwd)