Spy Shots: 2012 Chrysler 300C caught completely undisguised

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Chrysler, Luxury

2012 Chrysler 300C spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Our intrepid spy photographers have just caught the 2012 Chrysler 300C running around completely undisguised during a promotional video shoot (hence the full tint job). Now that all of the camouflage has been removed, we can clearly see the 300's reworked front and rear fascias. Up front, Chrysler's new corporate grille is flanked by stylish headlamps that use LED daytime running lamps. Out back, the taillamps are spruced up with chrome accents and a large chrome strip that runs the length of the rear bumper. It sounds like a lot of chrome, but it's quite tasteful, and looks downright sharp on a black car like this prototype.

Much like its sister car, the Dodge Charger, expect the updated 300 to be powered by both the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with all-wheel drive available on certain models. Since Chrysler's flagship sedan is nearing the tail end of its development phase, a Los Angeles or Detroit show debut is a safe bet. See the sleek new 300 in our gallery of spy shots, below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Chrysler 300C

[source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2012 Chrysler 300C caught completely undisguised originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[CSpec]

Meh. Color me underwhelmed.

[Intrepidation]

I think it looks good. Quite shape in black. I was hoping for more though. The Charger looks like an all new model, helped by the drastically different profile and rear fascia design. Wish they would have done more out back.

Then again, Audi designs don't exactly evolve much compared to their previous gen (A8 anyone?), so as long as the car itself has been improved a lot, it should be good, just not ground breaking like the original.

[Intrepidation]

On close perception, it appears they have done a lot of subtle work to the profile. The greenhouse looks the same at a glance, but it has a gentle arch now whereas before it was straight. The whole car has more of a wedge shape to it, and a cleaner profile. The greenhouse is actually new, as it now has small quarter window in back whereas before it was just a piece of black plastic.

Lots of subtle changes that really add up. Still not feeling the rear though. Very slab sided, like someone hacked the bumper off.

I think it looks really good from front/front 3/4 angle.

[PONTIAC06]

I can tell they definitely tweaked alot of little stuff, but I'm not sure I like it. I think the tail lights are pretty hideously overdone, but the front looks nice. Hopefully it has a killer interior.

[CSpec]

I think this will look horribly dated by say 2015.

[balthazar]

Looks a bit more refined, a bit more upscale, a bit less clunky, a bit less unique. Nice enough evolution overall.

Angles above have me wondering tho; I like the really short nose on the current one, whereas the '12 looks longer by a bit...

[vonVeezelsnider]

Sharp! Both this and the Charger are going to be really nice looking cars in this segment, esp. the Charger with that great new front fascia.

[Drew Dowdell]

unimpressed... oh well, it's just in time to take over for the Towncar in Airport Limo duties....

[Cory Wolfe]

You guys aren't going to like me... but, the mid-section gives me a strong Avalon vibe. Otherwise, the front looks alright and the rear is sort of 'meh'. It's just not as impressive or unique as the original.

[frogger]

Not sure what to think.. Ah well at least it looks like it lost the SUV ride height.

[Drew Dowdell]

I think that was mostly the AWD models Frogger. They stick out....

[Z-06]

Those thumbnails give it an A8 like look.

Kinda underwhelming not as bold as the original, which made it so special.

[Robert Hall]

I like...looking forward to seeing this and especially the Charger in person.

[Northstar]

Reminds me of the new Taurus for some reason. Color me underwhelmed.

[pow]

I like it. The details are more refined than the current car's, especially from behind. It looks cleaner and more sophisticated.

[Croc]

This design lacks cohesion. It also lacks details...like many of Chrysler's recent models, they look like CGI come to life! Not feeling it at all.

[daves87rs]

Like the front, not sure about the rear.

[ocnblu]

The rear reminds me a bit of my grandfather's '77 New Yorker. I wish I had a photo to post of the similarities. I like it overall, it is more sophisticated and refined than the outgoing model.

[ZL-1]

This design lacks cohesion. It also lacks details...like many of Chrysler's recent models, they look like CGI come to life! Not feeling it at all.

Me neither. I like the current 300's exterior more than this one; I hope Chrysler did a good job on the interior.

[bobo]

It comes across as more bland, but I think it's a step forward. The taillights could have been cleaner.

[regfootball]

Meh. Color me underwhelmed.

i sort of expected more.

the main benefit of this redesign is that it no longer should have the look of a hood cruiser.

judged on its own though, looks leaner, not as brash, some proportion issues, nothing particularly eye grabbing, still does though look like a Chrysler.

i get a slight CTS C pillar vibe from the rear quarter shot, the grille and headlights are sorta underwhelming. The prior proportions were more harmonious. Leaning out the chunkiness has thrown a bit of the wholeness of the design out the window.

It's a decent looking vehicle. It's about all they could do with it, really, aside from a complete and total gut and redo.

If the interior improves, with the new v6, we can say its a net benefit. Just getting rid of the old steering wheel and control stalks alone brings this car ahead 50 gazillion years.

I think this will look horribly dated by say 2015.

that's ok, by then CA and the obamanauts will have upped CAFE to 60mpg and there will be no chance in hell of a successor, or at least one that is not based on a stretched Fiat 500.

The rear reminds me a bit of my grandfather's '77 New Yorker. I wish I had a photo to post of the similarities. I like it overall, it is more sophisticated and refined than the outgoing model.

absolutely I understand the reference, I can see similarities to that era as well.

[Satty]

Unimpressive. It looks vaguely like an Audi up front.

[SoCalCTS]

It looks less cartoonish than the outgoing 300 and it looks far more luxe than anything that Lincoln is offering.