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Home / New Zealand

Guilty pleasures: riding in two big bangers

NZ Herald
5 Nov, 2012 04:30 PM4 mins to read

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Chrysler 300C vs Ford Falcon EcoBoost. Photo / David Linklater

Chrysler 300C vs Ford Falcon EcoBoost. Photo / David Linklater

Say what you will about the Chrysler 300, but when it came along in 2005 it introduced an alternative engine technology to the large-car segment.

Class kingpins Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore couldn't see past their petrol V6s and V8s, but the 300 showed that a nice 3-litre V6 turbo diesel (courtesy of then-partner Mercedes-Benz) could deliver on performance and refinement - and up the ante on fuel efficiency.

Not that the Chrysler transformed the large-car landscape. It was always a niche model and conventional big cars were booming back then, accounting for more than 20 per cent of new-car sales. Things are very different now, with the big boys seemingly sitting on borrowed time - a market share of less than 7 per cent.

At some stage back there, as large-car sales started to tumble, the Aussies decided alternative powertrain technology was a good idea. In 2009, Holden introduced a badge called Ecoline, which is now attached to Commodores with direct-injection, LPG, bioethanol or cylinder deactivation technology.

It took Ford Australia longer with its Falcon, but then it made a change in a very big way by adding the latest global EcoBoost engine technology to the car: in 2-litre form, creating a four-cylinder Falcon. If you'd told me five years ago.

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As environmentally responsible large cars go, the Chrysler 300 diesel and Falcon EcoBoost look like two pretty interesting options.

Neither are short on performance and both offer impressive economy: the 300C CRD boasts 177kW/550Nm and achieves Combined economy of 7.2 litres per 100km. The Falcon EcoBoost offers 179kW/353Nm and returns 8.2 litres.

They make for an interesting conceptual comparison.

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They're not direct rivals, although they could be. Falcon EcoBoost is offered only in entry-level $48,490 specification; because Ford NZ eschews the luxury/sports-oriented versions offered in Australia, there's nothing in the lineup that reaches up to 300C thanks to eco-boost.

The 300 diesel opens at $61,990 in Limited form, but is also available in even more upmarket 300C and Luxury versions.

So if you want to confound people's expectations about large-car economy but be kind too, it looks like an early lead to Chrysler.

Here's the thing: in second-generation guise, the Chrysler 300 is not quite as good to drive as it used to be. There are remnants of Mercedes-Benz's influence (mostly in the ex-E-class platform), but when the German maker left it took that smooth turbo-diesel engine with it.

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In its place is a new powerplant from Italian specialist VM Motori. It delivers on paper but isn't as refined or flexible as the previous motor.

The 300 diesel also makes do with a five-speed automatic, when the petrol versions get a new eight-speeder.

The 300 is still an adept cruiser with a lot of road presence, but the chassis has lost its edge. Ironically, while the old car looked very American it felt quite European to drive. This new one has a more European look but a very comfort-oriented gait on the road.

The Falcon just seems to get better with age. The EcoBoost engine is a marvel: linear, refined and seldom short of breath even in this large-car application. It's matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox, the steering is communicative and the chassis beautifully balanced. Almost sporting.

In terms of interior build quality, it's a different story.

The Chrysler is overwhelmingly blingy but far superior in terms of fit/finish.

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The Falcon has always had a bit of a garden-shed ambience and still does. But that matters less in the entry-level model and does not detract from the fact that it is a sparkling car to drive.

The large-car market is dwindling in New Zealand and will continue to do so. But if you want to enjoy one while you can and not feel the pangs of eco-guilt, the Falcon EcoBoost is an impressive vehicle.

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